The Quirky Underdog City of Beijing |
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Beijing- a city unlike no other. Full of irate cabbies, smog, hutongs, ccp centers of control, 5000 years of history and quickly changing in the name of modernization and capitalism.
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Tianamen- perfect shot of the high speed of modern life and the historical square
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This has been my home and vantage point as I explore the rest of China for 10 months. This rough edged, dirty city has grown on me like a beauty mark. Only here will you exerience the pirate-liek 'arr' attached to the end of every word, making an already incomprehnsible language damn near impossible. But, these days I can 'arr' almost like a pro. There is something in this city for everyone. A great nightlife, especially for the student crowd, an upscale night life for the deep pocket expat crowd and everything inbetween. 5000 years of history and being the reigning historic capital there is enough to do to keep you running around catching taxis, buses and exporing the subway for weeks. Great, cheap shopping- if you have the time to poke around long enough there are some really good finds burried with all the shit. Quite an eclectic mix of food. Anything you are in the mood for can be found somewhere- although its not always a great representative and if you really like mexican food you are completely out of luck. Unless you like texmex. Great music scene if you don't mind bad, underground bands. Amazing, absolutely amazing people. even the cabbies.
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| Favourite spots: |
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China loves their Panda's. But treats all their other animals like crap. Don't go to the zoo.
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Starbucks- Anzhen and Lido. Sorry, its been 10 months- this is my main refuge when I feel like I can't stand another moment of Beijing. Wu Dao Ko- student district. Gotta love Lush, Propaganda and Taku. Sanlitour- no report on Beijing is complete without a mention of the heavy expat and prostitute district that is soon going to be torn down and renovated. Grandma's Kitchen & Steak and Eggs: Must haves when you are craving good ole' american food. And... real western breakfast. you don't understand how valuable that is.
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| What's really great: |
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Me, the one with glasses, and Taryn. My partner in crime all things Starbucks.
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I love getting into cab's and not knowing what kind of ride I'm in for. The cabbies range from using every moment to test your (or should I say my) horrible chinese to ones who are only interested in their incessant, loud talk radio. The people that always make you smile- whether its with them or at them. The inefficiancy of just about every business and endevour that is attempted. Billions of people mean 10 people behind 1 counter and none really doing anything productive. Except at Starbucks. And, I can't help but feel like a rock star when everywhere I go people blatently stare.
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| Sights: |
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The Chinese love of my life and my zui hao de pengyou, Wang Peng aka Billie Joe.
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See a guidebook for christs sake!
Great Wall- check out Sematai, Badaling quite touristy
Summer Palace
Beihai Park- beautiful all seasons
Forbidden City (overrated and under construction)
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| Accommodations: |
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What? This is what students do... drink.
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Dunno, I stay in dorms and lived in an apartment over the summer that worked provided for free.
Good luck.
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| Nightlife: |
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In the park outside the Forbidden City
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Blah. That's what travel journals are for.
Club Taku- Thursday all you can drink.
Propaganda- Wednesday all you can drink
Liberaty- Almost always all you can drink.
Bar Blue- Pretentious western sleek overrated bar.
Kai- cheap drinks. get trashed and head to bar blue.
Mix and Vics- sleek western bar. fun.
Big Easy- New Orleans jazz club. Good food, good live music, strong drinks.
Lush- student hangout. wifi, live music, and always something going on. This bar is like the cool kids that are always up to something.
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| Hangouts: |
what?
The Den
Maybe.
I'm not really sure of pubs. The Den is has sports and stuff. There is an irish pub somewhere.
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| Restaurants: |
1001 Nights (mid-eastern deliciousness)
Petes Texmex
Grandmas
Steak and Eggs
Subway
Oblisk
Outback
24 Hour Noodle
Sanhe BBQ
Circle
Shit, this belgium steakhouse that is absolutely incredible...
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| Other recommendations: |
Unfortunately, I don't have any other recommendations...
Oh wait, yes I do. Go to Xidan for cool, sweet punky shopping. Dig around and you'll find some good things. You can even get your tongue pierced there! Like I did.
Actually, I don't recommend you doing that.
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Published on Thursday October 27th, 2005 by vbx000
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