[Yak] Re: question on riding in Beijing

[Kenneth Hendrick]

I also just noticed this question.  I will add some comments to Robert Tilley's about Beijing.  I was there a few years ago.  Our tour guide said that everyone rides old model bicycles for security.  He said that he bought a new model bicycle and it didn't take long for it to be stolen.  No one is interested in stealing one of the old bicycles.  At that time, there were thousands of bicycles in the downtown area of Beijing.  Be prepared to take your bicycle wherever you go when you're not on it and to ride in a crowd.  Robert was correct about coal being the primary heating source, which will be in use during November.  However, I didn't seem to notice the pollution.  I am a walker and would go out walking in early morning without difficulty.  Another suggestion:  Take an empty suitcase.  There are fantastic bargains galore.  Lots of knockoffs.  Also, one of the highlights of our visit was the "Dirt Market".  It is a huge flea market, which I believe is only open on Sunday.  This was NOT part of our tour and heard about it from someone in the hotel elevator.  If you decide to try and go there, have a hotel clerk write the name on a sheet of paper for you to give to a taxi driver.  Also, get something with the name of your hotel on it to give to a taxi driver to get back to your hotel.

Ken Hendrick
Lansing, Michigan