Greetings from China.

[Neon_Chaos]

Two days in Beijing, and I finally managed to find a freaking internet shop. :)

You have no idea how huge this city is, and how ridiculously clean everything is.

I've already visited the Temple of Heaven, Tienamen Square, The Forbidden City, and Mao's Mausolaeum in our first two days. I have 3 days left on the itinerary, planning on going to the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, play a round of goldf, and go to several other places.

It's amazing how westernized the entire city is, but I'm taken back by how many people can't speak a hint of English (I'm from the Philippines, and almost everyone speaks the language, regardless if it's native to them or not). The communication barrier is a complete hell, and I'm thankful for our tour guide. :)

Things are ramping up for the Olympics... almost everything is under renovation for 2008. I'm betting that prices are going to skyrocket come next year.

[JPhillips]

The Lama temple is great if you have the time. It's not too far from the square either. The Ming tombs weren't as good as I had hoped, but the Great Wall is fantastic.

I also got some of the best ginseng and jasmine tea I've ever had at local tea shops in Beijing. Communication was tricky, but if you have a calculator handy you can use it to negotiate prices with just about any merchant.

[moriarty]

Nee how ma (or however you spell it).

You probably don't have time, but a quick flight to Xian to see the Terracotta warriors is pretty awesome.

I came home from China w/ a pretty cool Majong Set (haggled endlessly with those side street vendors in Beijing) and a pretty silly copy of Mao's red book (not sure why I brought it back, but it seemed fun to haggle for it). Have they cleaned up all the bootleg sellers in the back alleys in preparation for the Olympics?

[SackAttack]

I call shenanigans.

As many political threads as this place generates, and you can actually access the forums from China? ;)

[rkmsuf]

I call shenanigans.

As many political threads as this place generates, and you can actually access the forums from China? ;)

yeah this is an international incident waiting to happen

[JPhillips]

I call shenanigans.

As many political threads as this place generates, and you can actually access the forums from China? ;)

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=48439

[Groundhog]

Is the 'smog' always as bad as it looks when I see China on TV? I really want to visit there at some point (mainly the great wall, Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army), but some of the footage I've seen, with visibility reduced to near nil, has turned me off.

[JPhillips]

It's shockingly dirty, at least it was when we were there last year. In Beijing it was a combination of pollution and sand storm and in Chongqing it was just smog. I remember being on a road above the Yangtze and not being able to see the river.

Still, though, China was incredible. You'll probably be stuffed up the whole time you're there, but don't let that deter you. If I had the money and time I'd go back tomorrow.

[Klinglerware]

Is the 'smog' always as bad as it looks when I see China on TV? I really want to visit there at some point (mainly the great wall, Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army), but some of the footage I've seen, with visibility reduced to near nil, has turned me off.

Depends on where, I suppose. When I visited Guangzhou a couple years ago, it did seem like there was a permanent haze permeating the city.

And yes, you can access FOFC there, proving that the powers that be don't give a crap about text-sim nerds (or at least they discount their capacity for subversion). I suppose that may change if Jim decides to release "Front Office Taiwanese Presidency"...

[Neon_Chaos]

Well, there's a "we will make 2008 work" mentality going on around Beijing. By cleanliness of the city I meant that there aren't any litter around. The sand and dust can be annoying now and then (I just saw people raking sand/leaves out of the grass at the Way to the Ming Tombs), but the cleanliness of the city is great.

Climbed up the Great Wall today, it was absolutely amazing. Definitely something you'd want to experience for yourself in your lifetime.

We also passed by the Olympic Village, which was under construction. They're going to have a "Bird's Nest" Arena, an indoor Swimming "Fish" Arena, and one giant torch-like stadium that they called the Olympic Center. It's amazing how much work is being done, and yes, the vendors are all cleaned-up from most of the sidestreets (although the vendors at the tourist spots are still alive and well, I managed to haggle for a lot of items through my aunt who's full-blooded Chinese)

Unfortunately, I won't be seeing the Terracotta army. I have 1 day left on the trip, and I'm spending tomorrow shopping. :)

Three days in, and I am getting sick to my stomach with Chinese food, everything's cooked in sichzuan style, and I am currently craving for a good steak. :) Will try to post pics when I get back.