Flying From Chicago to Beiing, China Is So Easy to Do
It is such a pleasure to get on an airplane and arrive at your destination without any problem, let alone one hour early even though it was raining cats and dogs in Beijing. United Airlines' flying time was a little over 12 hours in brilliant sunshine two-thirds of the way and cloudless over the snow, glaciers and ice-packed expanses of Alaska, The Aleutian Islands and down over Siberia. Incredibly gorgeous viewing.
Before disembarking, all passengers had to fill out health forms (fears of Swine Flu - H1N1) then make our way through the wide expanses of Beijing's new Terminal 3 to have temperature checked by walking past sensors, hand in health forms, take the train between terminals to customs and pick up suitcases. Capital Airport is beautiful and easy to negotiate with great signage in English and Chinese. It is absolutely not necessary to use the money changing kiosks outside baggage claim for Chinese Yuan. There are ample ATM's if you look left as you exit the baggage area.
Money for a taxi in pockets, got in the taxi line for the ride into downtown Beijing. Alternative transport to the city: the Airport Express (one-way 25 yuan) makes only two stops in the city, Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao, and you'll have to bus, metro, or cab to your hotel from there; and buses. A taxi ride to the Day's Inn Forbidden City cost around $15 including tip. IMPORTANT: Always carry the hotel telephone number in case your taxi has to call for directions. Ours did. Most drivers only know where the really big hotels are located, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, etc.
We pulled up to the Days Inn Forbidden City and were astonished by the number of both western and Chinese tourists staying here. Our room was approximately $80 U.S. a night with cable television, two complimentary bottles of water daily, breakfast included and two free welcome beers. The rooms were on the small side but it has location...location...location.
Shanghai Far East Expeditions had given us names of different, small boutique hotels primarily located in Hutongs with classical, Chinese courtyard styles, but we decided against them since the remote areas coming up would have nothing but Chinese-style hotels. If you are interested, these were Cindy's recommendations (none are inexpensive):
Beijing Lu Song Yuan Hotel; Banqiao Hotel; Bamboo Garden Hotel; Hotel Côté Cour SL; DuGe Courtyard Boutique Hotel; and
Red Capital Club Residence
Surf any of these if you are interested in a little boutique hotel for your Beijing stay.
Hotels.com by city, dates and number of guests
