Beijing (8)

Finding a tailor to make you a custom suit in Beijing can be a bit tricky if you don't know where you are looking in this vast metropolis. This can be particularly challenging if you have 'Western' measurements so can't buy off the shelf. The best place to go is Gong Ti Bei Lu market right by 'Workers' Stadium'. There you will be able to find various stores catering for your needs. Expect to pay around USD100 a suit.

Those of us travelling to Beijing during August may find ourselves turned away when it comes to finding accommodation. The Olympics (starting 8/8/08 - a lucky number) will result in all conceivable accommodation being taken up. Try considering alternatives such as apartment short lets if you are really stuck for accomodation.

See http://www.sublet.com/area_rentals/Asia/Beijing_Rentals.asp for more details

The Swiss Hotel has a great hotel in Beijing and around the world. If you register on their website you can get a free Gold Card that will give you brilliant extras including a comp' room upgrade at your hotel on arrival - excellent.

Xiāngshān Gōngyuán (meaning Fragrant Hills Park) is situated about 30 km to the northeast of the city centre. Less frequently visited by foreign tourists, Xiāngshān is a beautiful park with at least five pathways leading to it's peak (approx 550m), from where, on a clear day, you can get a breathtaking view of Beijing. It takes about two hours to walk up to the peak, and along the way are many temples, lakes and pagodas that have historical significance.

The park was built in the Jin Dynasty (1186). The park is open all year around but the best time to visit it is in autumn, when all the leaves turn red/orange color and it will just leave you mesmerized. Běijīng Zhíwùyuán (Beijing Botanical Gardens), are located next to the foot of Xiāngshān. It a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, and would be ideal for anyone who wants to while away their time in beautiful surrounds, including the greenhouse and a special rose garden that contains at least five types of rose flower. Quite romantic too!

After spending the day at Xiāngshān and Běijīng Zhíwùyuán, it would provide a nice ending to the day if you visited the town of Wu Dao Kou - an area near the Tsinghua and Beijing Universities, popular with tourists, foreign students and expats alike. There are a myriad of restaurants of all different types of cuisines (including Indian, Italian and Mexican). There are also some nice Japanese and Korean restaurants where you can drink authentic Japanese or Korean beer over a nice meal.