Regional Information
Beijing
At a Glance
Currency: Chinese Yuan (¥ / CNY) – pronounced ‘wan’; also called Renminbi
Population: Approx. 14 million
Language: Mandarin, English
Local Time: I rish and UK time +8 hours
Voltage: 220V – international adaptors purchased in Ireland and UK can be used .
Flight duration: Approx. 12 hours
Airport: The airport is located 28km (18 miles) northeast of Beijing. Journey time to the city centre takes about 40-60 minutes.
Climate: Beijing’s spring is mostly dry. In July and August the weather turns hot and humid. Autumn is the nicest time of the year with many warm, clear days and usually little wind.
Overview
Beijing City is an independently administered municipal district situated in the north-eastern corner of China. It is one of four great ancient capitals of China, a centre of culture and art, renowned for its lavish palaces, temples, art treasures and universities. Its city limits extend some 80km (50mi), including the urban and suburban areas and the nine counties under its administration. King Wu was the first to declare Beijing the capital city in 1057 BC. Subsequently, the city has gone by the names of Ji, Zhongdu, Dadu, and finally Beijing when the Ming Dynasty Emperor Cheng Zu chose the name in 1421. Beijing was also known as Peking by the Western world before 1949.
Highlights
Forbidden City - Off-limits to most of the world for 500 years, it is the best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. The old world of beautiful concubines and emperors, eunuchs and conspicuous wealth still hovers around the lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and the great halls of the palace.
Summer Palace - Featuring extensive gardens, this was the palace of choice for vacationing emperors and dowager empresses. It was badly damaged by Anglo-French troops during the Second Opium War (1860) and its restoration became a project of Empress Dowager Cixi, the last of the Qing dynasty rulers. Money earmarked for a modern navy was used for the project but, ironically, the only thing completed was the restoration of a marble boat. The boat now sits at the edge of the lake in all its glory. The palace's full restoration was hampered by the disintegration of the Qing dynasty and the Boxer Rebellion.
Temple of Heaven Park - The Temple of Heaven is set in a 267-hectare (660-acre) park, with four gates at the cardinal points, and walls to the north and east. It originally functioned as a vast stage for solemn rites and rituals. All of the buildings in the park, including the Round Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, are tangible conversations between the gods and mortals. The buildings are carefully thought out paeans to ancient gods and beliefs; feng shui, numerology, cosmology and religion all played a part in their original construction, and the result is an awesome architectural juxtaposition of God and the devil.
Tiananmen Square - Forever sullied following the events of 1989, Tiananmen Square lies at the heart of Beijing, and is a vast impressive desert of pavestones where people wander and fly kites. Though it was a gathering place in the imperial days, Tiananmen Square was Chairman Mao's creation. Major rallies took place here during the Cultural Revolution, when Mao reviewed parades of up to a million people.
The Great Wall of China - The Wall has gone through a continuous building and restoration process in its time. Originally a series of smaller walls protecting various separate Chinese states, it was connected more than 2000 years ago by the Emperor Qin to defend the newly set up first unified kingdom of China. The wall became a sturdy 'No Trespassing' sign directed at neighbouring kingdoms. Subsequent extensions and restorations performed by the later Chinese dynasties turned the wall into a world-famous magnificent engineering project and witness to the rises and falls of Chinese history.
Getting Around
The subway or Underground Dragon is one of the best ways of travelling quickly within Beijing. Taxis, also a good option, are plentiful, metered and cheap. They wait near major department stores, hotels and train stations and can be hailed on the street. Taxis in Beijing are small, red hatchbacks or saloons (known as Xiali) and usually, the older and smaller the car is, the cheaper the fare. Rickshaws are notorious for overcharging and should be avoided.
Health/Security
Beijing is essentially a safe city, however, as with any large urban areas, pick-pocketing and scamming is not uncommon – especially in major tourist sites, markets, airports and international bar and shopping areas, so be aware. It is recommended to be cautious about purchasing goods to be shipped home at a later date and to take care when using and handling credit cards. Generally, tourists should take the precautions they would in any major city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, having cameras or video cameras loose, and make sure to keep belongings firmly with you at all times in public places.
Unlike most western countries, the Chinese tap water is not suitable for drinking, even in the finest of hotels. Hotel rooms often feature a water dispenser, water heater or a thermos or otherwise supply high-quality mineral water for free or for a minimal charge. Ordinary bottled mineral water and various beverages are commonly sold in many street shops, supermarkets, restaurants and hotel stores.
There are no vaccination requirements for entry purposes to China.
Passport/Visa
Irish / UK citizens are required to obtain a visa before travelling to China. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the duration of the intended stay. A new visa or double entry visa is needed if visiting Hong Kong from mainland China in order to return to China.
It is extremely important to take care of your passport while in China. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will not be able to leave China without first obtaining an emergency passport (issued by the Embassy or Consulate and which is of limited validity only) and a replacement visa (issued by the Chinese authorities) as well as a police report. This can take more than a week. During your stay you should carry your passport at all times as the Police are entitled to carry out random checks. A photocopy of your passport, Chinese visa, and flight ticket should be kept separately from the originals when travelling.
Useful Contacts
Irish Embassy: 3 Ri Tan Dong lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600
Tel: + 86 10 6532 2691 / + 86 10 6532 2914, Fax: + 86 10 6532 6857
Email: beijingembassy@dfa.ie
Web: www.embassyofireland.cn
British Embassy: 11 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing 100600
Tel: + 86 10 5192 4000 / + 86 10 8529 6600, Fax: + 86 10 6532 1938 / 9
Email: consular.beijing@fco.gov.uk, beijingvisamail@fco.gov.uk
Web: www.ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en
Local Emergency Services: Ambulance 999 or 120 / Fire 119 / Police 110
Calling Beijing from Irl/Uk: 00 + 86 + 10 + the number
Calling Ireland from Athens: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Beijing: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Tourist Information, Beijing: Tourism Service Quality Supervision and Control Office (24 hours)
Tel: + 86 10 6513 0828, Fax: + 86 10 6515 8251
Useful Websites:
www.beijingpage.com
www.travelchinaguide.com
www.cnto.org