BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service

China Local time: 12:59 AM

Visitor's Guide

In addition to CS China Programs and Services and our Tips on Doing Business in China, we provide a compilation of useful information for visitors:

Telephone Usage in China

U.S. LONG DISTANCE ACCESS NUMBERS, (From all cities in China):
ATT –10811
MCI –10812
SPRINT –10813

CHINA IDD CODE – 86
CITY CODES:
Beijing - 10
Chendu - 28
Guangzhou - 20
Shanghai - 21
Shenyang - 24
Hong Kong IDD CODE –852

TELEPHONE OPERATORS
Local Directory Assistance (some English) - 114
International Directory Assistance (some English) - 115
International Long Distance Operator (some English) - 115
Domestic Long Distance Operator (some English) - 113, 173

OTHER NUMBERS
Medical Emergency (Chinese) - 120 or 999
Police (Chinese) - 110
Fire - 119

CELLULAR TELEPHONE DIALING INSTRUCTIONS
Cell phone to Cell phone, dial the entire 11-digit number.
Cell phone to land line in Beijing first dial 010 and then the 8-digit number.
Cell phone to a landline in another Chinese city, dial 0+ two-digit city code, plus the number.
Cell phone to the US, dial 001+area code and number.
From a landline to a cell phone, dial the entire 11-digit number.

U.S. EMBASSY AND CONSULATES-GENERAL IN CHINA
American Embassy Beijing: Chancery: 3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie (San Ban), 6532-3831
Admin/Consular: 2 Xiu Shui Dong Jie (Er Ban), 6532-3431
Public Affairs Section: 17 Guanghua Lu (Yi Ban), 6532-1161
Foreign Commercial Service: 8529-6655
Medical Unit: (Yi Ban), 6532-5063
Emergency: (Post 1) Marine Guard, 6532-1910

Consulate/Shanghai: (021) 6433-6880, 1469 Huai Hai Zhong Lu
Consulate/Guangzhou: (020) 8121-8000, Shamian Island
Consulate/Chengdu: (028) 8558-3992, Lingshiguan Lu No. 4
Consulate/Shenyang: (024) 2322-1198, 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District

Airlines in Beijing, China

Cathay/Dragon Air: 6518-2533
CAAC: 6601-7755

  • Domestic/reconfirm: 6601-3336
  • International/reconfirm: 6601-6667

Japan Airlines: 6513-0888 or 6459-0065
Korean Airlines: 8453-8888
Malaysian Airlines: 6505-2681
Northwest: 6505-3505
Qantas: 6467-3337 or 6467-4794
Singapore Airlines: 6505-2233
Thai Airways: 6460-8899
United: 6463-1111
–Airport Information: 6459-8855
Vietnam Airlines: 8454-1196

Ticket Reconfirmation: It is recommended that you reconfirm your ticket 72 hours in advance.

Healthcare Facilities in Beijing

Beijing International SOS Clinic: 6462-9112; 6462-9100, has 24-Hour Medical Service/Emergency and all staff are English speakers

Beijing United Family Hospital: 6433-3960, 2 Jingtain road, has 24 Hour Medical Service/Emergency and all staff speak English

International Medical Center (IMC): 6465-1561 or 62 or 63, Lufthansa Center, has
24-Hour Medical Service/Emergency and has some English speakers

Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital: 6422-1122, has some English speakers at ext. 3412

Money Usage in China

The basic unit of Chinese currency is the Yuan or Renminbi (People’s currency) abbreviated RMB. The yuan is divided into 10 jiao or mao. The jiao is divided into 10 fen. Chinese currency is available in 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 yuan notes.

Money Exchange is available at the front desk of all major hotels, some Bank of China branches and at the Friendship Store.

ATMs: a limited number of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) that accept foreign credit cards are available around major cities in China. These machines issue withdrawals in Chinese currency only.

Tipping: Tipping is officially forbidden, and most hotels and restaurants impose a service charge in lieu of tips. However, the practice of tipping (in private) has become more widespread in recent years because of the influx of Westerners.

Black Market: As a foreigner, you may be asked to exchange Chinese money for dollars. Don't do it; it is illegal.

Using your credit card will often result in the bank's service charges (typically 3-6%) being added to your bill.

When receiving bills from merchants that are torn or dirty, feel free to demand other bills since other merchants may not accept those torn or dirty bills.

If you cannot spend all of your Chinese currency before departure, you can reconvert up to 50% of the amount you originally exchanged at your hotel’s exchange counter. The airport also has an official currency exchange counter, but there may be a long wait and it may not be open outside normal business hours. You will need to present your official currency exchange receipt and your airline ticket.

Cultural Tips in China

Meeting people: Upon the initial greeting of meeting someone for the first time, short handshakes are usual on first meeting followed by the Chinese greeting of "ni hao?” which translates to “How are you?" Rather than try to remember the full, two-or-three syllable Chinese name, listen for the first one (the family name).

Traditionally, conversations in China, even business conversations, start out with innocuous topics, to set a mood of friendliness. Eventually, the small talk might become quite direct, which is not meant to be offensive. It is quite common on short acquaintance to be asked about personal matters, including questions about your family status.

Never arrive late. At business meetings, it is usual to exchange business cards.

Mealtimes: At a formal meal or banquet, you will be expected to at least sample every dish. You are not obliged to eat all of the meal given. However, if you finish a dish, chances are you will be given a refill.

At meals and receptions, the host will give a toast. Often a choice of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be offered. Beware the Chinese toast "gan bei", which, roughly, means "bottoms up", especially if you are drinking "mao tais" (a traditional Chinese drink).

The politest way out is to say "sui yi," which, roughly, means "cheers, but I will only drink a little." Be prepared to offer a toast to your host. And remember, the soup comes last in a traditional Chinese meal.

In the street: Chinese in Beijing and other big cities have become accustom to foreigners, but if you get off the beaten track in the city or elsewhere, you will be bound to attract attention. It is only curiosity, and you will generally find people helpful. However, if something doesn't quite happen as you imagined, you should stay calm and polite. As a rule, complaining or shouting only results in mutual loss of face and a deterioration of the situation.

China is a conservative society. Unless you want to attract attention, dress conservatively. However, it is not necessary to dress formally, except for business meetings and receptions.

Basic Chinese Language Phrases

On January 1, 1979, the Chinese Government officially adopted the pinyin system for spelling Chinese names and places in Roman letters. A system of Romanization invented by the Chinese, pinyin has long been widely used in China on street and commercial signs as well as in elementary Chinese textbooks as an aid in learning Chinese characters. Variations of pinyin are also used as the written forms of several minority languages.

Pinyin has now replaced other conventional spellings in China’s English-language publications. The U.S. Government has also adopted the pinyin system for all names and places in China. For example, the capital of China is now spelled "Beijing " rather than "Peking."

In the pinyin system, letters are pronounced much as they would be in American English with the following exceptions.

Complex initial sounds:
c – like the t’s in it’s
q – like the ch in cheap
x – like the sh in she
z –like the ds in lids
zh – like the j in just

Final Sounds:
e – Pronounced like “uh”
eng – like the ung in lung
ai – as in aisle
ui –pronounced way
uai – like the wi in side
i – like the i in skin
ua –like the wa in waft
ao – like the ow in now
ian – pronounced yen
ou – like the ow in dnow
uan – pronounced when

*When zh, ch, sh, zh are followed by an “i,” the “i” is pronounced like an r in Beijing.

BASIC CHINESE WORDS/PHRASES
Hello - ni hao- 你好
Goodbye - zài jiàn - 再见
Please - qing - 请
Thank you - xiè xiè - 谢谢
You're welcome - bù ｋè ｑì - 不客气
Excuse me - dｕì ｂù ｑì - 对不起
Have - y oｕ - 有
Do not have - méiｙou - 没有
No problem - méiｗèｎｔí - 没问题
It doesn't matter - méiｇuāｎｘì - 没关系
Want - yào - 要
Do not Want - bù ｙàｏ/ｂù ｙòng - 不要/不用
Yes - shì - 是
No - bù sｈì - 不是
Correct/Yes - duì - 对
Incorrect/Wrong/No - bù ｄuì - 不对
Chopsticks - kuàｉ ｚì - 筷子
Toilet - cè suo - 厕所
Toilet paper - wèｉ shēｎg ｚh i - 卫生纸
How are you? - Ni hao ma? - 你好吗
Have you eaten?(more commonly used as a greeting than "How are you?") - cｈī fàn le ma？ - 吃饭了吗
Do you understand? - d on g ma? - 懂吗
I don't understand - bù dong - 不懂

SHOPPING:
How much does it cost? - duō shao qián - 多少钱？
Too expensive! - tài guì lｅ - 太贵了！
A little cheaper please - pián yi dian ba - 便宜点吧

DIRECTIONS:
Please take me to the: 请送我到：
Can you please help me find...? 你能帮我找到...？
Can you please help me get a taxi? 请你帮我叫辆出租车好吗？
I am from the United States. 我从美国来。
Excuse me, where is - ｑiｎｇ ｗèｎ，ｎa lｉ y oｕ - 请问哪里有

Please help me ｑinｇ ｂāｎｇ ｍ áｎｇ 请帮忙
Who? - sｈéｉ - 谁
What? - sｈéｎｍe - 什么
When? - sｈéｎｍ e sｈíｈoｕ - 什么时候
Where? - n ar - 哪儿
Why? - wèｉsｈéｎｍe - 为什么
How? - ｚěｎｍｅ - 怎么

These are just the basic phrases and are no substitute for learning the Chinese language.

Religion Services in Beijing

There are a wide variety of religious congregations available for the expatriate community. Most are restricted by Chinese law to serve foreign passport holders only, and many require ID cards for those who attend their services. Here is information about some of the best-known religious services in the expat community.

Catholic Mass English Services
Canadian Embassy, located at Dong Zhi Men Wai Da Jie #19. Held Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m. For more information call 6418-2061 or 13910820734 (Maryann.)

British Embassy, located at 11 Guanghua Lu. Held Sunday morning at 10 a.m.

Beijing Baptists
Sunday School is at 10 a.m., worship services at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at CTS Plaza(Chinese: Zhonglu Dasha). It is located at the northwest corner of Third Ring Road and Jingshun Road. For information contact: Brannon Mayes, 6470-5138; or John Robinson, 136-0103-4133.

Beijing International Christian Fellowship
The fellowship meets at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays at the 21st Century Theatre just east of the Lufthansa Center on Liangmaqiao Road. It offers children’s classes, teen Bible study and adult classes. Visit the website www.bicf.com for additional information.

Congregation of the Good Shepherd
This international non-denominational Christian congregation also meets on at the Capital Club Athletic Center Third Floor Ballroom at Capital Mansion (Chinese: Jingcheng dasha). Services are at 10 a.m. Sundays. Details about the congregation and directions to the facility are available online at www.goodshepherdcongregation.com, or call pastor Elyn MacInnis at 6438-6536.

River of Grace Christian Church
“The River” is a non-denominational congregation for expats, offering services at 10 a.m. Sundays at the Yong An Hotel (Chinese: Yong An Bingguan), Address: Zhongguo Beijing Nongye Zhanlanguan Beilu, Jia No.5, south Annex Building #4. It is one Block East of Great Wall Sheraton on Third Ring Road. From the Third Ring East Road turn east by the wall section of the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel, proceeding east to the first traffic lights to see the Yong An Hotel at the South-East corner of the intersection. Turn right again and follow to the adjoining Annex Building #4, turning left under the hotel skywalk. Services are on the lower level art gallery of the Dao Pu Bar Center Island. For more info call Don Young at 139-1125-7602.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Services are held on Sundays from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm on the 4th floor of Golden Tower (Chinese --Jintai Dasha (4)
Take the 3rd ring road to San Yuan Xi Qiao. Located on Heping Le Bei Jie, the building is just down the street from Carrefour and the Exhibition Center.

Kehillat Beijing
This lay-led egalitarian Jewish congregration holds Friday night services at 7 p.m. A community Passover seder will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on April 6. Shabbat services and most community events take place at the Capital Club Athletic Center Third Floor Ballroom, located at Capital Mansion (Chinese: Jingcheng dasha), 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, phone 6467-2225. The address can be found in Chinese characters at the congregation’s website. For further information, e-mail info@sinogogue.org or visit the website www.sinogogue.org.

Chabad Beijing
Orthodox Shabbat services are held Friday evenings at sundown (approximately 6:30 pm) and Saturdays at 11:00 am at the home of Beijing's Chabad Rabbi, Shimon Freundlich, located in Kings Garden Villa (jing run shui shang hua yuan), 18 Xiao Yun Road, House D5A, Chao Yang District. All guests are invited to join the meal following services. The first Passover Seder will begin Monday, April 5 at 6:30 pm at the Great Wall Sheraton (Chinese: Chang Cheng Fandian), Sunflower Room. The venue for the second Seder on Tuesday evening is TBD. For more information on services and to reserve a place at the Passover Seders, please contact Chabad Beijing at 6468-1321 or 139-1065-0642.

Other Congregations
Visit the website Asiaxpat.com and click on Education and Religion for a listing of other Chinese and expat churches in Beijing.

The PRC Constitution provides for freedom of religious belief and the freedom not to believe. However, the Government seeks to restrict religious practice to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship and to control the growth and scope of the activity of religious groups.

There are five officially recognized religions -- Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Islam, and Taoism. The State Council's Religious Affairs Bureau (RAD) is responsible for monitoring and judging the legitimacy of religious activity.

The Government officially permits only those Christian churches affiliated with either the Catholic Patriotic Association or the (Protestant) Three-Self Patriotic Movement/Chinese Christian Council to operate legally. Some groups register voluntarily; some register under pressure, while authorities refuse to register others. Unofficial groups claim that authorities often refuse them registration without explanation. Many religious groups have been reluctant to comply with the regulations out of principled opposition to state control of religion or due to fear of adverse consequences if they reveal, as required, the names and addresses of church leaders.

For the most part, authorities allow foreign nationals to preach to foreigners, bring in religious materials for personal use, and preach to Chinese citizens at churches, mosques, and temples at the invitation of registered religious organizations. Foreigners are legally barred from conducting missionary activities, but foreign Christians currently teaching English and other languages on college campuses openly profess their faith with minimum interference from authorities as long as their proselytizing is low key. Many Christian groups throughout the country have developed close ties with local officials, in some cases running schools to help educate children who otherwise would receive a sub-standard education and homes for the care of the aged. Likewise, Buddhist-run private schools and orphanages in central China are not only training children, but also offer professional training courses to teenagers and young adults.

According to an official government white paper, there are over 200 million religious adherents, representing a great variety of beliefs and practices. Official figures from late 1997 indicate that there are at least 3,000 religious organizations, 300,000 clergy, and 74 training centers for clergy. There are also more than 85,000 approved venues for religious activities. Most religious adherents profess Eastern faiths, but tens of millions adhere to Christianity.

Beijing Tourist Information

From the Kerry Center Hotel, China World Hotel, Traders and St. Regis Hotel to:

Airport - 45 minutes
Forbidden City /Great Hall of the People/Tiananmen – 25 minutes
Summer Palace - 1 hour
Beijing Zoo - 1 hour
Silk Alley – 10 minutes
Liulichang Cultural Street – 35 minutes
Hong Qiao (Pearl) Market - 35 minutes

SITES IN BEIJING

TIANANMEN SQUARE

Tiananmen Square is the physical center of Beijing as well as the symbolic center for all of China. The square was built in 1958 and is one of the largest public plazas in the world. It measures 500 meters from east to west and 880 meters from north to south; the total area is approximately 50 hectares. During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the space occupied by today’s square was a warren of offices of different government ministries, divided in the middle by a wide road running south from the Tiananmen (The “Gate of Heavenly Peace,” the front gate of the Forbidden City) to the Qianmen (“Front Gate”) of the old city wall (now destroyed) surrounding the Qing dynasty government district.

Around Tiananmen Square stand the Great Hall of the People (to the west), the museums of Chinese History and the Chinese Revolution (to the east), and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and the Qianmen (“Front Gate”) to the south. Standing in the center of the square is a monument honoring the “people’s heroes,” those who sacrificed their lives for “national independence and in wars against foreign aggression.”

THE GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE

The Great Hall of the People serves as the seat for China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, and is the center for many political activities. The assembly hall inside the building is probably the largest meeting hall in China with 10,000 seats. Grand banquets for heads of state are held in its banqueting hall. Separate reception halls built in each local style represent each of China’s provinces, as well as Hong Kong and Macao. The entire hall was built in 1959, in only ten months, for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

THE FORBIDDEN CITY

Also known as the Imperial Palace and the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived and ruled.

Located in the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City is the largest and best-preserved mass group of palaces in China. The palaces are fully walled on four sides by 10-meter high walls, which extend 760 meters from east to west and 960 meters from north to south. At each comer of the walls, there is a three-story watchtower. Outside the walls a 52-meter wide moat surrounds the "city." Occupying an area of 72 hectares, the Forbidden City altogether has 9,999 buildings. This number was purposely just one less than ten thousand, the figure that was exclusively used to wish the emperor longevity. Almost all the buildings are symmetrically arranged, with the main halls on the meridian line and the less important halls and houses on the east and west sides.

Construction of the Forbidden City started in 1406,the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty, and was completed 14years later. Altogether 24 emperors lived there over a span of 491 years in two dynasties, ending with the last emperor in 1925. In general, the Forbidden City is divided into three parts: the outer court where the emperor received high officials and conducted the administration of the empire, the inner court where the emperor lived with his empresses and concubines, and the Imperial Garden where the imperial family spent their leisure time.

After you purchase the entrance ticket, you will proceed through a souvenir shop where you can rent a recorded tour narrated by Roger Moore. You will have to leave some kind of picture identification, which will be returned to you when you return the headphone set at the exit of the Forbidden City. Allow at least two hours for the tour and more if you want to explore the side buildings, museums and courtyards.

THE SUMMER PALACE

The Summer Palace with features such as, ponds, gardens and hills - was the palace of choice for vacationing emperors and Dowager Empresses. It was badly damaged by Anglo-French troops during the Second Opium War in 1860 and its restoration became a project of the Empress Dowager Cixi, last of the Qing dynasty rulers. Money assigned for a modern navy was used for the project. However, the only thing that was completed was the restoration of a marble boat. The boat now sits at the edge of the lake within the Summer Palace. The Palace's full restoration was hindered by the disintegration of the Qing dynasty and the Boxer Rebellion.

The palace is very popular in summer with Beijing residents taking full advantage of Kunming Lake, which takes up three-quarters of the park. The main building of the palace is named, Hall of Benevolence & Longevity, while along the north shore is the Long Corridor. There are over 700m (2300ft) of corridor, filled with mythical paintings and scenes.

GREAT WALL

The Great Wall was begun in 221BC when the ruler of Qin state, one of several warring states at that time, completed his conquest of the other states and created the first Chinese empire. The ruler, known as Qin Shi Huangdi (“the founding emperor of the Qin state”) made his capital in the Wei River valley of modern Shaanxi Province, near the present city of Xian. His tomb is famous for the terracotta warriors. The early wall was a rammed earth structure of which little still stands.

Most of heavy masonry and modern parapets of the wall well known to tourists were built during the Ming Dynasty (1369-1644.). The wall is 25 feet high, 19 feet wide and includes 25,000 watchtowers. Legend has it that several horsemen could ride abreast on the wall and that the watchtowers were two arrow lengths apart so that it’s entire length could be defended. The wall extends some 50,000 kilometers, though not continuously, from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Dessert.

Acrobatics & Magic Show
Chaoyang Theater
36 Dongsanhuan Beilu (Across the street from the American Center), North Eastern Third Ring Road
Chaoyang District
Acrobatics
Hours: 7:15 pm – 8:30pm. Nightly.
Tickets: RMB 100 Row 9+, RMB 120 Rows 1 & 2,
RMB 150 Rows 3-8 (USD $12.04- $18.07)
Magic Shows
Hours: 6:00 pm- 7:00pm, 7:30 pm-8: 30 pm. Nightly.
Tickets: RMB 120- 200 (USD $14.45- $24.09)
The Chaoyang Theatre is Beijing’s only theatre that presents acrobatics all year round with daily performances by Beijing Acrobatic Troupe.
TEL: 6507-2421, 6507-1818

Peking Opera
Zhengyici Theater
220 Xiheyan Dajie
Xuanwu District
TEL: 8315-3150, 8315-4049
Performance: 7:30pm - 8:30 pm
Admission: Foreigner RMB 150
Recently refurbished, this is the only Peking Opera theater constructed entirely of wood. Originally built in the 18th century, the theater was restored and reopened in 1995. You sit on stools at small tables for four. Tea and snacks are served. There are several gift stalls on the premises.

Liyuan Theater, Qianmen Hotel
175 Yonganlu, TEL: 6301-6688x8867
Tea and snacks are served.
7:30 pm. Nightly

Guanghe Theater
46 Qianmenroushi Jie
TEL: 6701-8216

Chinese Tea Houses
Like pubs in Britain and cafés in France, Chinese teahouses have traditionally been meeting places for local residents, artists and philosophers. Today an evening spent at a teahouse theater will include food, drink and a sampling from the Chinese stage – often Peking opera, acrobatics, crosswalk, animal imitations, and magic tricks.

Lao She Teahouse
3 Qianmenxi Dajie, 3rd Fl., Chongwen District
(South of Tiananmen Square, next to Kentucky Fried Chicken)
TEL: 6303-6830
Admission: RMB 40 – 130 depending on seats, snacks
Performance: 7:50pm – 9:20 pm
Ask the hotel concierge to give you directions (or the name of the restaurant written in Chinese for the taxi driver) it you want to visit any of these restaurants:

American Food

Hard Rock Café
Business hours: 11:30am –Midnight
TEL: 6590-6688 Ext. 2571

Outback
1th floor in Beijing Hotel
Tel 6528-2858
Business hour: 11:00---22:00

TGI Friday
19, east 3rd ring road
Tel: 6597-5314
Business hour: 11:00---23:30

Henry J. Beans
China World Trade
West Office Bldg., Ground Floor
Business hours:
11:30am-01:30am (Sun-Thu)
11:30am-02:30am (Fri-Sat)
TEL: 6505-2266 Ext. 6569
Chinese Food

The Beijing Roast Duck
24 Jianguomenwai Dajie
Business hours: 10:00-22:00
TEL: 6515-6908

Tuanjiehu Peking Duck
Tuanjiehu Beikou, Bldg. #3
Across the East Third Ring road from Zhaolong Hotel
Chaoyang District.
Business hours: 11:00-22:00
TEL: 6582-4003

South Beauty
China World Trade Center
West Office Bldg, 2nd Floor
Business hours: 11:00-22:00
TEL: 6505-0809

Xiao Wang Homestyle Restaurant
Building 2, Guanghua Dongli,
Chaoyang District
Business hours: 11:00-22:00
TEL: 6591-3255, 6594-3602

Asian Fusion Cuisine

The Courtyard
95 Donghuamen Dajie
(East side of Forbidden City)
Business hours: 18:00-22:00
TEL: 6526-8883

Green T House
6 Gongti Xilu,
Lunch 11:30-15:00
Dinner: 118:00-24:00
TEL: 6552-8310

Thai/Indian Food

Taj Pavilion
China World Trade Center
West Wing Office, Level 1
Lunch: 11:30-14:30
Dinner: 18:00-22:30
Tel: 6505-5866

Red Basil
Sanyuan Dongqiao, Beisanhuan Lu
Roughly across the 3rd Ring Road
from the Hilton Hotel
TEL: 6460-2339
Lunch: 11:00-14:00
Dinner: 17:00-22:00

Spanish Food

Mediterraneo
North Sanlitun Street
Business hours: 11:30-22:30
TEL: 6415-3691

Mare
14 Xin Dong Road
Chaoyang District (near the Workers' Stadium)
TEL: 6417-1459.
Business hours: 11:30-22:30

Italian Food
Assagi
1 Xingfu Sancun Beijie
Lunch: 11:30-14:00
Dinner: 18:00-22:30
TEL: 8454-4508

Belgium Food
Morel's
Opposite of Workers' Stadium
North gate
TEL: 6416-8802
Lunch: 11:30-14:30
Dinner: 18:30- 22:30

French Food
FLO
16 Dong San Huan Bei Lu
Rainbow Plaza
TEL: 6595-5139
Lunch: 11:00 -14:00
Dinner: 18:00 -23:00

Japanese Food
Matsuko
East Third Ring Road
Across from T.G.I. Friday’s
TEL: 6582-5208
Lunch: 11:30-14:00
Dinner: 17:00-22:30

Hatsune
East Guanghua Rd.
(Across from Petro China)
6581-3939
Lunch: 11:30 -14:30
Dinner: 18:30 -22:30
ANTIQUES, ARTS & CRAFTS

Beijing’s famous “Dirt Market” (Panjiayuan) is an experience not to be missed. Ceramics, reproductions of antique Chinese porcelain (occasionally authentic pieces), furniture and other curios abound. The market is actually open both Saturday and Sunday mornings and it’s best to get there early, before the crowds get too dense. Be prepared to bargain. Located on Huaweiqiaoxi just west of Dongsanhuan Lu. Ask the Concierge at your hotel to write “Panjiayuan” on a slip of paper, and give it to your taxi driver. Cash only and beware of pickpockets.

Liulichang Cultural Street dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and is one of Beijing’s most famous tourist attractions. True high-quality antiques can be bought here. Located about 10 minutes south of the Forbidden City, in the area known as ‘Qianmen.’ Numerous stores containing calligraphy, chops, stone rubbings, art, ink, brushers, lanterns, and musical instruments.

Chaowai Antique Market
43 Bei Li of Hua Wei, Nan Lu (East Third Ring Road)
Four floor of dealers with reconstructed antique furniture, reproductions and porcelain, shard boxes and some jewelry. Individual dealers vary in willingness to bargain.

Hongqiao Market, also known as the “Pearl Market”, has one of the largest and best selections of inexpensive fresh-water pearls in Beijing, as well as antiques and reproductions. Across from the North gate of the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). The pearl vendors are on the 3rd and 4th floors. Closes on time every day at 7:00pm. Open 7 days a week. Most pearl vendors accept credit cards. Those used by Embassy personnel include Xiao Bia, no. 113, Ru Pei Pei, no. 163, Sharon Tong, no. 109, Ding Xue Fei, no. 122.

Beijing Curio City is located off the Third Ring Road about a 10-minute ride from the U.S. Embassy. Closes at 6:00 p.m. Open 7 days a week. Some vendors accept credit cards.

Shard Box Man (Shen De Ge)
1 Ritan Bei Lu. Tel: 6500-3712. A shop northeast of Ritan Park, dealing in jewelry as well as shard and silver-plated boxes. Their work is reasonably priced and is of good quality.

Dragon House Jewelers
17 Dongdaqiao, near the Embassy. Tel: 6701-9130
Specializing in jewelry, this store is well known for the beautiful pieces that are made from old and new treasures.

SILK, CASHMERE, AND CLOTHING

Silk Alley Clothes Market is on Xiu Shui Bei Jie. You must enter from the Jianguomen Wai side. A wide variety of clothing, including cashmere and silk, often sold as seconds or surplus goods from export market. Fakes abound, as do pickpockets. Make sure to bargain, starting at about one-half the initial asking price. Closes at dusk. Open 7 days a week. Cash only.

Yuanlong Embroidery and Silk Company
Tiantan Road, #55 Tel: 6702-2288, 9-6:30 p.m.
Offers mostly silks, satins, embroidery, and silk clothes, but also carries silk carpets.

DEPARTMENT STORES

The Friendship Store
17 Jianguomenwai Dajie. TEL: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. This is a government-run store with a nice selection of some arts and crafts, including silks, porcelain, cloisonne, embroidery, and especially carpets –all of which are genuine, and priced to match. All major credit cards accepted, along with travelers’checks. Open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Youyi Shopping City
52 Liangmaqiao Lu. In the Lufthansa Center off the Third Ring Road. TEL: 6465-1188. Has a wonderful selection of arts and crafts including cloisonne, porcelain, artwork, lacquer ware, and an especially good selection of printed silks. All major credit cards accepted.

Please also visit our U.S. Embassy Beijing American Citizen Services webpage.