My overall experience of Beijing? I honestly wouldn't go again without someone who lives there. We had a tour guide and a driver to our self but they took us to all the government owned factories to 1. learn about how they made jade, vases, silk, etc. and 2. to get you to spend as much money as possible. I suggested that we go shopping where the locals go shopping and the they dropped us off at a shopping center area the first night. I also suggested to go to 798 Art district in Beijing and the driver complained it was too far (20 minutes from our hotel) the second night. Needless to say we did not get to go. After multiple requests to be dropped off at the hotel they kept us out all day until the Kung Fu show where I was insistent that they take us back to the hotel after. We left for Hong Kong the next morning.
The government is everywhere and it's not subtle. And I can't help but feel like everyone's trying to get more under the table. It's hard to feel comfortable that everyone you meet is genuine and honest because they are not. In a world where trust is already hard to come by, Beijing is not a city where I would trust at all. The Chinese Army is visible no matter where you go. The police are of course seen as much as the army. I couldn't live there. I mean I could if I had to but I'd have to learn Mandarin quick. Since everything is in Chinese characters, I'd have to learn that too. I know Chinese but my dialect isn't "major." Beijing is not the most tourist friendly town. I wonder if it would ever be because I still wish China never did close off their country to the foreign world roughly a hundred years or so ago. (Here's a history lesson: Isolationism of the Ming/Qing Dynasty: Source 1; Source 2; Source3). With inventing so many things throughout history, I really believe they could be more advanced than they are now. It saddens me actually. Hopefully the Chinese government won't find this blog post since I had so much trouble getting a Chinese Visa this time around. I'm sure I will be interrogated even more so next time. Really though, it's only because I stated on my application that I work for the media.
Don't take me as a Debbie downer. I am not. I want to go back to Beijing but I'd rather experience it with a local not as a tourist. As Edwin says, "We are casual tourists." We like to see the tourist spots but we're more into living the local life and eating the local food.
The best things about Beijing? Dr. Tea's pee pee boy, my paper cutting art pieces and Peking Duck. Oh and of course a 6 to 1 conversion of the U.S. dollar (6RMB Chinese money equals $1). I also used one of those hole in the ground toilets. Honestly I prefer it... it's a lot easier to squat and I don't have to worry about my butt touching a dirty seat. I didn't say it was more comfortable but to me it seems more sanitary. (Here's a picture of a Chinese toilet.) If words couldn't describe our Beijing trip well enough... here's some amateur photos I took with my point and shoot camera: BEIJING PHOTOS
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