Quote:
Originally Posted by Infiniti
A note for those considering AirBnB in China..It is illegal, so you will need a dummy booking for a hotel when applying for the Chinese visa. Just found this out after we had already booked our airbnb.
Oh, and do any of you have any experience with "registering" at the local police box/station as a foreigner? I have heard mixed responses ranging from don't worry about it to don't risk it as it could result in a hefty fine.
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Just write any hotel in. They don't really check. I don't think you need to register at the police station... I been back 3 times in the last 2 years and didn't do it. Beijing is a pretty safe place (espeically if you stay near center of Beijing). There are undercover cops everywhere (even in the subway to prevent thief). They have x rays machines in every subway station, before you enter they must scan your bag and purse and if you have any water bottle/liquid in a bottle they make you drink in front of them to make sure it is not danger to anyone.
My hotel is near Sanlitun Village (20mins walk) and there is also a stadium. Really safe I seen police cars and police every other block. Maybe coz that area there are lot's of western there (save a bunch of blonde hair middle age woman). Also near Sanlitun Village there is a street full of pubs which is awesome. Food can be as cheap as $12 to $15 RMB for a bowl of noodles(is really big and full and not bad at all) to several thousand RMB for a meal. Just depends.
Some tips
1.Carry tissue with you at all times! I mean it! Not in your purse, not in your jacket. Put it in your pocket and make sure you have at least 3 piece of tissue at least. It will save you. Remember 99% of washroom in China don't have tissue. So once you are done your business you will need it. Almost shit my pants coz I left the tissue in my jacket (let my gf hold it while I went in). Had to rush out to grab it from her.
2. Just push and shove when on subway and bus. Everyone just push and shove. There are no line up. If you are nice you will never get on. Oh and ppl like to push you out of the way. But if you are from Vancouver you will have no issue pushing them miles away. Several times some guy try to push in I simply push back and once I knock this guy back several steps and he looks like he wanted to punch me lol. No one have manners when entering subway so just push away!
3. When eating ask if you have to pay for wet tissues and or bowl/dishes that's wrap nicely. Some place have what's call premium plates and chopsticks that's been professionally sanitize and they usually leave them on the table wrap in bags. If you open them or use them you have to pay extra (like $5 to 10RMB) so you have to ask for the regular stuff (which is I assume wash and clean by the staff in the restaurant so it is not wrap in a bag). Honestly use the free stuff it makes no difference I usually just wipe them with my own tissue.
4. When shopping always ask for discount. There is always discount in China just have to ask for it.
5. No FB. There are no facebook is most place that offers wifi and if you use your data place most sites out of china are block. Only some high end hotels have connections to outside of China. This is due to the gov blocking them. You can use a VPN is you like but I personally don't really care. Also their data speed and wifi is slow. So don't expect LTE network most likely you will get 2g to 3g. Oh and you can only get sim cards at the airport. New rules imply you have to be a citizen to get sim cards. You can try to go to a store with your passport number or western ID to get one but most sales at the store won't know how to set an acct using your passport. So save yourself the headache and just pay a little more at the airport to get a sim card.
6. Beijing is very fashionable so if you want to look sharp and maybe get a thing or two going with girls there you have to dress sharp. None of that North Face ski jackets or the casual wear we are used to here. I basically look a bum when I went lol.