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| Beijing | ||
| Country | China | |
|---|---|---|
| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | 21.710.000 (2017) | |
| height | 43 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Beijing (Chinese: 北京; Běijīng) is the capital of China and its own province. The city is the country's cultural and political center and has a population of around eleven million. Over 3000 years of history, including several centuries as the capital of the Chinese Empire, make Beijing an interesting travel destination. In 2008 the Olympic Games were held in Beijing.
Districts
The center of the city is the Forbidden Cityaround which the city extends in a ring. The old city center comprises the four inner city districts, these are
- Dongcheng, the real heart of the city with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
- Xicheng, the power center of the state, im Zhongnanhai is the seat of government and the seat of the Communist Party
- Xuanwu
- Chongwen, here the most famous attraction is the Temple of Heaven and the Hall of the Harvest Offerings.
The city districts follow around this center
- Chaoyang with the 2008 Olympic Center and the bird nest
- Fengtai
- Shijingshan
- Haidian with the Summer palace
More quarters are grouped around it, of which Shunyi because of the airport and Changping are of interest because of the 13 Ming tombs. The runs along the northern edge of Beijing Great Wall of China, worth seeing in the district Huairou and especially in local Yanqing County Badaling.
background
geography
The City of Beijing Province is located in northwest China, about 120 kilometers from the nearest coast within Hebei Province. The North China Plain extends southeast of the city, otherwise Beijing is surrounded by the mountains of the Mongolian Plateau. The 16,800 square kilometer Beijing Province also includes extensive rural areas. The city is on average 63 meters above sea level.
climate
Beijing has a continental climate with very cold winters and very hot summers. The best time to travel to Beijing is autumn. Then the weather is pleasant and the main season is over again. Spring is also a good time to travel, when there is little rain but often strong winds from north and west. These are occasionally polluted with unpleasant soil dust that is blown in from the arid regions of Inner Mongolia. From May the temperatures begin to climb above 30 degrees Celsius. In the summer months, most of the annual precipitation falls during the summer monsoon and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius can be reached. Storms and heavy precipitation also occur regularly. Summer is considered to be one of the main travel times and hotels are particularly expensive. The winter is very cold with up to minus 20 degrees Celsius, but the weather is mostly sunny if the high pressure continues. In the winter months there are always inversions which are associated with high levels of air pollution (smog). In spite of everything, the snow on the roofs of the Forbidden City and on the Great Wall exudes a very special atmosphere that makes a visit even in winter attractive.
history
Please refer w: Beijing # story
getting there
By plane
Beijing Daxing (PKX)
The world's largest airport in terms of area Beijing Daxing opened at the end of September 2019. All flights of the SkyTeam-Allianz and several flights of the Oneworld-Partner. The domestic aviators China United, China Eastern and China Southern have moved their turnstiles here.
The airport can be reached by six bus lines, long-distance trains via Beijing West and a subway line that connects to the urban network in Caoqiao.
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Beijing International Airport Capital Airport (Shoudu Jichang) has only been used by members of the Star Alliance approached. It is located about 20 kilometers northeast of the city center. The airport is a hub for domestic air traffic.
In the airport there are the usual facilities, such as various banks offering currency exchange, ATMs, luggage storage, hotel booking desks, a relatively useless tourist information office and very expensive restaurants and souvenir shops.
The way from the aircraft to the exit of the airport can sometimes be a bit long; After getting off, you first pass the border control (whose officials sometimes allow themselves a lot of time for the control despite "stopwatches" at the counters and which can take up to an hour to pass depending on the rush) and then take a cable car to the main terminal and to the Baggage claim. There is no fast track for international business or first class passengers.
When leaving the country, you should also be prepared for very strict controls - on the way from the check-in to the aircraft, the boarding pass is checked and stamped several times, one should not be surprised about the fact that screenshots of the screening "suspect" hand luggage ( in particular electronics such as laptops) are temporarily stored together with the data on the boarding pass and lighters are rigorously confiscated.
There is the Airport Express Train (underground line). it runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every 20 minutes from Terminal 3 (mostly international flights) to Terminal 2 and then into the city center with a stopover at the "Sanyuanqiao" stop to the "Dongzhimen" terminus on the 2nd ring. From there the train goes directly back to Terminal 3. The journey costs 25 RMB (as of 03/2013). From Sanyuanqiao you have the option of taking the subway line 10. From Dongzhimen there is a connection to the subway line 2.
There is no rail connection. The drive into the city takes around 20 minutes with little traffic, but in rush hour it can also take an hour and a half from the city center. This is especially important when driving back to the airport. There are several at the airport buscompanies and bus routes ready. Tickets can already be bought at a ticket counter in the airport terminal or at a stand outside the airport building. All buses cost a uniform 16 yuan for a trip to the city center. Buses run practically around the clock, but the frequency of the individual lines is different. During the day, some lines run every 15 minutes.
A ride with the taxi costs approximately 70 to 100 yuan, depending on traffic, plus a 10 yuan fee for using the airport shuttle. There may be an additional 2 or 3 yuan charge for gasoline at the moment. You get a receipt for everything. Caution: Newly arrived tourists in the airport building and in front of it are quickly approached by "taxi operators" who charge 300-400 yuan for a trip. Be sure to take a metered taxi with a red sticker on the outside of one of the rear windows with the price per kilometer (1.20, 1.60 or 2.00 yuan). And then make sure that the taximeter is switched on by the driver when the journey begins (see also the relevant section under mobility. Otherwise just get out or take a picture of the driver's license card. Discussions with the driver (even just gesticulating) are better when you are sitting in front. It is also very likely that the driver (due to lack of local knowledge or communication problems) does not know where to go when you get on a taxi at the airport. Here you shouldn't be afraid to wave to one of the guards, who can usually help. The manners in China are still much rougher than in Europe, so that one should not be afraid to act a little more energetically.
The numerous vehicles waiting on the hard shoulder of the motorway in front of the airport are also a curiosity - these are usually chauffeurs who wait for their bosses to be informed of the landing and only then drive to the terminal building at short notice.
By train
Beijing has three major train stations. It is the start or end point of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
By bus
There are more than 1000 buses in Beijing. The buses have no calculable travel times, i.e. it is advisable to plan a little more time when traveling by bus. The stops are often only written in Chinese characters. Nevertheless, it is possible to use it even without knowledge of Chinese. Simply take the final stop with you in Chinese and read the timetables of the lines like this: The names of the stops are written from top to bottom, usually 2-5 Chinese characters. The stops are then shown side by side from top to bottom. The current stop is written in red Chinese characters. The following stops follow - if no other arrow direction is indicated - to the right of the red stop.
In addition to the normal bus lines, the so-called express buses also run on the same lines. These express buses do not stop at every stop. The special thing about it is that the normal bus lines and the express lines have the same bus number.
Taking a bus is very cheap by European standards and is 1 yuan in the city center. You have to have the money with you and insert it at the front when you get in. The driver does not give any change and usually does not speak English. The buses are not only overcrowded during rush hour and the chance to get a seat is a matter of luck.
Still, it's a great experience to just get on a bus and take it across town. You can watch a lot of people during the journey and - depending on the bus route you choose - you can also see something of the old buildings in China's capital.
We recommend taking a taxi back (don't forget to have the address of the accommodation with you in Chinese letters!). The bus routes do not necessarily return the same route that they chose on the way there.
In the street
The German or the international driver's license are not recognized in Beijing. If you want to drive there, you should take a taxi and let yourself be driven. Expats who have been living in Beijing for more than a year can take a Chinese driving test there and, if they pass, obtain a Chinese driver's license.
Driving in Beijing, however, is a real adventure. The rules are often ignored there and the law of the stronger or the braver governs, i.e. cars generally claim the right of way over bicycles, trucks, and buses the right of way over cars, and all together the right of way over pedestrians.
At some Beijing intersections you can now see the efforts of the local regulatory authorities to get the traffic chaos under control: traffic policemen are posted in order to master the situation and to let the traffic run more or less regulated.
mobility
Taxis are practically ubiquitous in Beijing's traffic and are a cheap way of getting around. The price per kilometer is indicated on a red sticker on the rear window of taxis: 1.20, 1.60 or 2.00 yuan. As a rule, comfort increases with price. The 1.20 yuan taxis usually have no air conditioning and are usually smaller than the more expensive ones. At night (11pm - 6am) there is a 20% surcharge. Taxi drivers are always obliged to turn on the taximeter and you should pay attention to this if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises. Many taxi drivers do not speak a word of English and do not understand the English names of different places. It is therefore advisable - if you do not want to go to Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City - to have the destinations written down in Chinese characters in advance.
Due to the apparently little knowledge of the area (Beijing is an extremely spacious city), it may well happen that the driver does not know where the destination is despite observing the above measures. A map printout (e.g. from Google Maps) can help, but it is also no guarantee of problem-free transport. As a rule, however, the drivers can get help from colleagues by phone, but it can also happen that a driver refuses to drive because he either does not know the destination, his license is not valid for the destination city district or he is simply not interested in it Aim to drive.
If there is high demand (e.g. at night or when it rains), it is also possible that taxis are hardly available or that the drivers negotiate rigorously about the fare. If you are willing to accept it, you should be aware of the actual fare and, in particular, insist on adhering to the originally agreed fare if the driver at the destination of the journey demands more money than negotiated at the beginning of the journey.
Beijing's subway that Subway, is an easy way to explore the city because it connects many of the city's attractions and is also very easy to use.
The metro was heavily expanded before the Olympics. There are currently nine lines. The plan is to expand the network to 19 lines. One of the lines is a completely above-ground tram (line 13). A trip costs between 3 and 7 yuan, depending on the distance, the fares are indicated at each station on a special route network map and on the screens of the ticket machines. First you choose the line on which the destination is located and then the disembarkation station, the fare is determined automatically. It is also possible to buy tickets for up to 10 people at once. Ticket machines accept 1 yuan coins as well as the smallest note from 10 yuan, which is worth more than the fare to be paid. The single tickets must be pushed into a reader at the start stop and are automatically retained when you leave the destination station. The trams run every few minutes at rush hour and it can get very tight. The trains run between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Underground stations can be recognized by a sign with a D and a circle around it (similar to the "@" sign).
The Circle Line (Line 2) runs in a circle around the city center. Important stations are Beijingzhan below Beijing Railway Station, Qianmen at the southern end of Tiananmen Square, Fuxingmen and Jianguomen as transfer stations to Line 1, Xizhimen at the Beijing North Train Station and transfer station for the buses to the Summer Palace and Dongzhimen near Hepingli Train Station. The latter two are also transfer stations to the Line 13, which opens up the northern urban areas in a U-shape. The East-West Line (Line 1) forms an east-west axis through Beijing. Important stations are the transfer stations to Line 2 (Fuxingmen and Jianguomen), Wangfujing on the shopping street of the same name and Tiananmen Dong at the north end of Tiananmen Square and at the south entrance of the Forbidden City.
A security check must also be passed when entering any subway station. In most stations, only hand luggage carried is screened (although nobody really pays attention to the contents), while people without hand luggage can simply go through. At some heavily frequented stations, however, a very superficial scan also takes place, as at the airport, which all passengers must undergo in principle.
- : Qu narrrrrr .... In:In Asia, Vol.6 (November / December) (2007), Pp. 46–50 (German). - by taxi through Beijing
Tourist Attractions
The following are only brief descriptions of some of the most important sights. Further sights and detailed information can be found in the district articles.
Hutong
A hutong is usually just a narrow alley. The traditional houses stood in the alleys. Most of the time the color was a dreary gray, corresponding to the building material of the cheap bricks. The arrangement of the houses around an inner courtyard was a w: Siheyuan, There was usually only access through a gate.
Of course you can still find hutongs in Beijing, also right in the city center, for example in the district Dongcheng near the bell or drum tower. Also in the district Xicheng there are still hutongs near the government district, as well as in many other parts of the city center.
Many hutongs, however, are no longer in their original form; instead, you will often find new courtyards in the old style, which are mainly used for tourism purposes, mostly small shops and restaurants. And quite often there are bicycle rickshaws around the corner to organize a hutong tour for little money that will almost certainly end in a shop.
Palaces
- 1 Forbidden City
(故宫). 
The Forbidden City, now officially known as the Palace Museum, was the seat of the Chinese emperors of the Ming and Quing dynasties. Construction began in 1406 and was inhabited by 24 emperors until the last emperor was deposed in 1905. On an area of 720,000 square meters there are 9,000 rooms and halls. The Forbidden City has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. How to get there: Subway Tiananmen Dong. More..Open: 8.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. October to April, 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. May to September.Price: Entry: 60 yuan, recommended audio guide 40 yuan.
- Summer Palace (Chinese 颐和园 / 頤和園 Yíhéyuán), in the district Haidian. One of the main attractions in the city.
- Old summer palace. Also in the district Haidian located.
temple
- Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), in the district Chongwen.
- Lama Temple (Yonghegong), in the district Dongcheng.
- White Pagoda Temple, in the district Xicheng. Price: Admission 20 yuan to Beihai Park.
Buildings
- Gate of Heavenly Peace, at the Tiananmen Square.
- Imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty
- Great Wall at Badaling
- Observatory. Literature tip: : Beijing's great moments. In:In Asia, Vol.3 (May / June) (2010), Pp. 18-23 (German)..
Monuments
- Mao Zedong mausoleum
- 3 Monument to the People's Heroes (人民 英雄 纪念碑)
In the square of the Heavenly Peace is the Mao mausoleum. A queue forms in front of the entrance not only on public holidays. It should also be noted that rucksacks and larger bags are not allowed.
Museums
- National Museum
- naturehistorical Museum
- Beijing Art Museum
Streets and squares
- Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square - Tiananmen Square - is the world's largest fortified square. Up to a million people can gather on it. The square played an important role in post-imperial Chinese politics. The square gained notoriety after the government's bloody crackdown on the democracy movement on June 4, 1989. The mausoleum of Mao Zedong, who died in 1976, is located on the square. The monument to the people's heroes is also on the square. Around the square are among others. the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, the new National Theater and an old city gate in the south. How to get there: Subway Tiananmen Xi, Tiananmen Dong or Qianmen.
Parks
- Beihai Park, in the district Xicheng. Price: Entry 20 yuan.
- Jingshan Park, behind the Forbidden City in the district Dongcheng. With a beautiful view from the hill over the city center and the Forbidden City. Good to see after a visit to the Forbidden City.Price: Entry 2 yuan.
- Ditan Park
- Olympic Park, in the Chaoyang district. A large, partly forest-like park with a lake and jogging trails, right next to the Olympic sports facilities. Subway 4 "South Gate of Forest Park".Price: free entry.
various
- zoo
activities
- Walk through the old town alleys (hutongs) and around the central lakes.
- Rent a bike for a few hours or even days and explore the city by bike. Especially in the old town streets and around the central lakes a refreshing pleasure, but also very easy in the rest of the city due to the wide and mostly at right angles arranged streets.
shop
In Beijing, as everywhere in China, there is a separate market for all products. There are markets for everything, if you want to buy computers, for example, you go to one of the many multi-storey electronics markets, where dealers line up. It is important to always have the goods presented to you and not to give them back when you want them. It's best to buy clothes across from the zoo. Along the Xizhimen Outer Street (chin. 西直门) there are huge clothing markets above and below ground, all of which are connected to one another. A high ceiling is usually used as a changing room.
If you want to buy art supplies, go southeast of Qiamen to the Hanjia Hutong. There is everything for the artist here. Brushes, rice paper, musical instruments, paintings, etc.
Those who prefer to go shopping in a department store can do so too. There are department stores in various price ranges in almost every corner of Beijing. The best accessible for foreign visitors are those in Xidan, west of the Forbidden City. This is also where the city's largest bookstore is located, where you can find something on every topic.
On some occasions one can try to negotiate prices, especially with street vendors, art or souvenirs. This is unusual or impossible in department stores or supermarkets. However, other travelers have had the experience that one can try to bargain in department stores, especially when buying several items.
If you are looking for a suitable souvenir or for clothes that Europeans also find pretty, you should visit the following streets and markets. In the tourist markets, action is the top priority, unless the price is of interest. In principle, depending on skill, a 50% discount is possible. Anyone who is good and buys several things can bargain down to 40% of the original price. Foreign tourists in particular are often ripped off. (If you buy something from an old street vendor or in remote areas with no tourists, you should reduce trading to a minimum. The price does not hurt us and the vendor is happy to have sold something to save his life.) Once you have found something, what you really want should be bought. Experience shows that you will never find anything like it again.
- Sanlitun (chin. 三里屯). The tourist market par excellence, slightly to the east opposite the workers' stadium. With Sanlitun Village, an upper-class building complex has been created in which wealthy Chinese and urban youth also gather. With flagship stores from companies such as Adidas, Apple and Uniqlo, current and genuine goods can be found on several buildings. Next door in the Yashow Market - an older shopping building - you can find cheap clothes and expensive tailors. All the salespeople speak very good English there and there are bags, clothes and sunglasses that are of course not always real, but are often sold as such. This market is particularly popular with Americans.
- Wangfujing (Chinese 王府井, Wángfǔjǐng). This street is the tourist shopping street in Beijing with department stores and fast food for foreign and Chinese tourists. For foreigners there is the Foreign Language Bookstore and various exotic dishes (from 5 p.m.). If you want to bring something nice home with you, you can go to one of the many 10 yuan shops that can be found between the department stores. In mountains of jewelry, mirrors, chopsticks, fans, etc. you can find a beautiful piece every now and then. You just need a lot of patience when rummaging through the goods and with the masses of people who rummage with. Right at the entrance to Wangfujin is a beautiful old market, which, in addition to small snacks, has everything that makes the tourist's heart beat faster.
- Qianmen (chin. 前门). Especially for tourists, the area behind Tiananmen Square has been redesigned as it was in the Qing Dynasty. There are nice teahouses and you can take a Peking duck with you. On the edge of the area there is still the old market, which was dominant until 2008. Here you can buy traditional Chinese clothes very well.
If you can't do without German products, you should look in the grocery stores in the large department stores. There is often a small selection of European products from German beer to muesli.
kitchen
Traditional Beijing cuisine is sweet. The most famous dish is of course the Peking duck. You shouldn't eat these in the inventor's restaurant in Qianmen, but in one of the many other duck restaurants. Of course, there are also all other Chinese dishes and tons of restaurants. The only problem here could be the language. Not all restaurants have English menus or cards with pictures. Those who prefer to eat Japanese will find various sushi chains that don't have to hide behind the chains in Japan. In the urban area of Beijing you can always find trends that combine Western cuisine with Chinese cuisine. For example, you can find Peking duck burgers or Beijing pizza.
- The Donghuamen night market Has been running from east of Donganmen Road to north of Chenguang Road every day since 1984 at 5 p.m. Many special Chinese "snacks" can be tried there, which are rather unusual for European palates. Something similar can be found all day next to Wangfujin Street.
- Chinese food for beginners: In every major department store there is a floor just for food. Here you can see the finished plates and can easily show the cook what you want. Payment is different depending on the department store. Usually you get a receipt, pay for it and go back to the cook with the stamped receipt. On the sixth floor of the Dongan Department Store, a large department store on Wangfujing Street, you can deposit money in two places in front of the elevators, which is then booked on a plastic card (similar to a credit card). With this card you can pay cashless in all restaurants and the remaining amount can be picked up when you go out.
- Those who cannot cope with Chinese cuisine are in good hands here. Paulaner Brewery Beijing, Kempinski Hotel Beijing, Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, 100125 Beijing. Tel.: 86 10 6465 3388, Fax: 86 10 6465 1023, Email: [email protected]. Bavarian cuisine and Bavarian beer with partially German-speaking wait staff.Open: every day from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
nightlife
The Hard Rock Café closed more than two years ago, and there is no new one in Beijing!
accommodation
In general, it can be said that the prices of upscale (from 4 star) accommodations in Beijing are significantly cheaper than in Europe. It is not uncommon for you to get an overnight stay in such a hotel including breakfast for the price of a corresponding 2-star accommodation in Europe. In addition, one should be aware that the star classification in Asia generally includes more services than the corresponding category in European hotels.
medium
- Landmark Hotel, 8 North Dongsanhuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100004. Tel.: 86(10) 6590 6688, Fax: 86(10) 6590 6513, Email: [email protected]. The hotel is located between the airport and the city center near the Lufthansa Center (Paulaner Brauhaus) in the same building as the Hard Rock Cafe Beijing.
Upscale
- 1 Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, No.50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District. Tel.: 86 10 6465 3388, Fax: 86 10 6465 3366, Email: [email protected]. Modern, European five star hotel in the northern part of Chaoyang that is characterized by its location, its service, its seven restaurants and its comfort. Established in 1992, the Kempinski Hotel is primarily geared towards the needs of business travelers.Check-in: 14:00.Check-out: 12:00.
Learn
security
In general, Beijing is a very safe city. Apart from road traffic, you will hardly see yourself exposed to any greater danger, but tourists are often the target of petty rip-offs and tricks. As a tourist you pay one everywhere Surcharge and one can often see sellers remove price tags as soon as one inquires about the price of an item. Outside of markets you shouldn't usually pay more than half the price, in markets the starting prices are much more expensive (up to ten times the realistic price). Generally speaking, it is a matter of negotiation.
In any type of business, you should take a closer look at the banknotes you get. It will also be observed that the locals subject every major bill to an examination. In fact, it seems a no small amount Counterfeit money to be in circulation. One should become suspicious when retailers consciously try to return larger notes by voluntarily lowering the price again or asking for a suitable additional payment. You should never feel under time pressure and calmly count the amount even with larger amounts of change and above all check the 50 yuan and 100 yuan banknotes. One should pay attention to the paper. If it feels unfamiliar, feel free to ask for another bill. This is generally not taken as an insult and is a normal process. The watermark should be slightly fuzzy and fuzzy with no precise edges or borders. The green print should be noticeable as a relief. Washed out colors, on the other hand, do not have to be an indicator of counterfeit money.
Everywhere in Beijing one is met by so-called Hawkern who want to sell you all kinds of things, often street maps, postcards, toys and all sorts of trinkets. Under no circumstances should one follow self-proclaimed "art students", where at best one ends up in a shabby shop and is more or less forced to buy something. Auch bei Angeboten über Trips zur Großen Mauer sollte man ein gewisses Maß an Vorsicht walten lassen. Viele der billigen (und auch teuren) Anbieter von Touren, die Flyer z.B. an der Verbotenen Stadt oder am Pekinger Bahnhof verteilen, fahren Touristen zu Geschäften mit traditioneller Medizin und Billigschmuck außerhalb Pekings, um dann teilweise einen Aufpreis für die eigentliche Fahrt zur Mauer zu verlangen.
Eine weitere Variante an das Geld der Touristen zu kommen, sind Studenten, die nur ihr Englisch verbessern möchten, ohne Interesse etwas zu verkaufen. Nach einer gewissen Zeit wird der Tourist in eine Teehaus geführt, wo es ohne Getränkekarte sehr, sehr teuren Tee gibt, wie sich im Nachhinein herausstellt. Die meisten dieser Leute sind mit ein wenig Übung jedoch bereits auf den ersten Blick erkennbar, handelt es sich doch typischerweise um ziellos auf und ab laufende Damen ("wie bestellt und nicht abgeholt"), die sich in der Regel von ihrer Umgebung durch einen übertriebenen Kleidungsstil abheben. Wird man von diesen Leuten angesprochen ("Hello, Sir, please, Sir, wait a moment, Sir!") so schadet es grundsätzlich nicht, sich in Ignoranz zu üben.
Eine gewisse Umsicht ist auch bei Taxis angebracht. Abgesehen von den teilweise sehr teuren Flughafentaxis (siehe getting there) sollte man in der Stadt keinen Preis vorher verhandeln, sondern immer auf dem Taxameter bestehen. Die Fahrer können die Preise sehr gut abschätzen und würden keinen Verhandlungspreis akzeptieren, der unter dem Taxameterpreis liegt. Für längere Trips ins Umland sollte man jedoch einen Festpreis ausmachen. Selbstverständlich sollte man nur Taxis benutzen, die auch einen roten Aufkleber an den hinteren Seitenscheiben kleben haben, der den Kilometerfahrpreis angibt (siehe mobility). Zu Beginn der Fahrt darauf achten, dass das Taxameter eingeschaltet wird.
Vorsicht ist an Zebrastreifen und Fußgängerampeln geboten. Fahrer halten sich nicht unbedingt daran oder können zu betrunken sein, darüber hinaus ist das Rechtsabbiegen bei roter Ampel entweder grundsätzlich gestattet oder einfach nur üblich. Auch sollte man sich nicht wundern, dass Krafträder grundsätzlich Vorrang gegenüber Fußgängern beanspruchen (auch wenn sie auf dem Gehweg unterwegs sind) oder auch mal gegen die eigentliche Fahrtrichtung fahren. Wenn es eine Ober- oder Unterführung gibt, sollte man diese auch benutzen. Insbesondere die zahllosen elektrischen Fahrräder und Roller nähern sich, ohne dass man sie akustisch wahrnehmen könnte, mit teils erheblichen Geschwindigkeiten.
health
Die Gesundheitsvorsorge ist bei einem Aufenthalt im Ausland sicherlich eines der wichtigsten Bereiche, denen man sich als Reisender oder Expat zuwenden sollte.
Vor der Reise empfiehlt es sich eine Reiseapotheke zusammenzustellen, welche die gängigsten Medikamente enthält. Dies sind unter anderem: Schmerzmittel, fiebersenkende Präparate, Desinfektionsmittel, Jod, Nasenspray, Hustensaft, Mittel gegen Übelkeit, Mittel gegen Durchfall. Nicht zu vergessen sind natürlich die Medikamente, die ein chronisch Kranker regelmäßig einnehmen muss. In den Apotheken in Peking findet man aber alles. Man bekommt jedes Medikament rezeptfrei, auch starke Antibiotika. Chinesische Ärzte empfehlen zudem stets traditionelle chinesische Medizin.
Als Basisschutzimpfung werden u.a. die Standardimpfungen gegen Polio, Diphterie und Tetanus sowie eine Impfung gegen Hepatitis A und (bei längerem Aufenthalt > drei Monate) B empfohlen.
Mehr dazu kann man von seinem jeweiligen Arzt/ Apotheker erfahren.
Die Wasserqualität in China unterliegt nicht solch hohen Qualitätsanforderungen wie die Wasserversorgung in Deutschland. Vom Trinken von Leitungswasser wird abgeraten. Auch abgekochtes Wasser sollte nicht getrunken oder zum Kochen genutzt werden, ebenso nicht zum Zähneputzen. Für solche Zwecke stehen in den meisten Hotel- und Privatwohnungen (insbesondere von Expats) Wasserspender zur Verfügung, welche mit einer Art einfachem Mineralwasser frisch befüllt werden. Zum Duschen eignet sich das Wasser aus der Leitung ohne Probleme.Beim Verzehr von jeglicher Art Fleisch und Fisch/Meeresfrüchten sollte man darauf achten, dass es gut durchgegart und frisch ist. Sollte man mit der Qualität nicht zufrieden sein, so sollte man das Gericht zurückgehen lassen.
Bei Früchten ist darauf zu achten, dass das Obst nur geschält gegessen wird. Ungeschältes Obst und Gemüse sollte man nicht essen.
Sollte man dennoch krank werden, so stehen einem die Krankenhäuser in Peking zu jeder Tages- und Nachtzeit zur Verfügung. „Die Regionalarztpraxis der deutschen Botschaft in Peking befindet sich in der französischen Botschaft zusammen mit dem Centre Médical (Gemeinschaftspraxis) und steht allen EU-Bürgern offen. Die Praxis verfügt über ein eigenes Labor, eigene Apotheke, Diagnostik (Ultraschall, EKG/Belastung, 24-h-RR- und EKG, Spirometrie, Audiometrie) und einen Notfallraum. Alle Impfstoffe sind vorrätig (inklusive Gelbfieber), Preise nach GOÄ (Gebührenordnung für Ärzte), Bezahlung bar in RMB oder Euro.“ Eine weitere Möglichkeit ist das International Medical Centre mit 24-Stunden-Dienst: Room 106, Beijing Lufthansa Centre, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Tel. 6465 1561-3, Zahnklinik: Tel. 6465 1384.
Die Inanspruchnahme von medizinischen Leistungen muss im Anschluss an die Behandlung (manchmal auch vorher als Sicherheit) in bar oder per Kreditkarte in voller Höhe bezahlt werden.
Es wird empfohlen eine Auslandskrankenversicherung für die Dauer des Aufenthalts abzuschließen.
Da Peking grundsätzlich von einer Dunstglocke überlagert wird, kann der Aufenthalt für Asthmatiker oder kleine Kinder/ ältere Menschen etwas beschwerlich werden.
Practical advice
Öffnungszeiten: Banken und Regierungsstellen haben an fünf Tagen in der Woche geöffnet, meist von 9:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr mit einer Mittagspause. Geldautomaten stehen aber rund um die Uhr zur Verfügung. Museen haben in der Regel auch am Wochenende geöffnet und schließen teilweise bereits sehr früh. Parks haben teilweise länger geöffnet.
Die meisten Steckdosen haben mehrere Arten von Steckern, unter anderem auch die schlanken deutschen Stecker. Die Spannung ist 220 Volt bei 50 Hertz Wechselstrom, so dass ein Adapter nicht benötigt wird. Wenn doch, können Adapter an vielen Stellen in Peking gekauft werden.
Volljährig ist, wer das 18. Lebensjahr erreicht hat. Das gilt vor allem für das Autofahren. Für den Konsum von Alkohol oder Tabak gibt es kein gesetzlich vorgeschriebenes Mindestalter. At Drogen verstehen chinesische Behörden keinen Spaß und verhängen drakonische Strafen. Bei großen Mengen kann das auch die Todesstrafe sein.
In China wird offiziell das metrische System verwendet. Teilweise stößt man aber noch auf die alten Gewichtseinheiten jin (0,6 Kilogramm) und liang (37,5 Gramm).
Nicht überall kann mit Kreditkarten bezahlt werden. Große Hotels und sehr touristische Restaurants akzeptieren mittlerweile in der Regel Kreditkarten, eventuell sollte man aber auch hier nachfragen. Oft wird ein Aufschlag der Kreditkartengebühr auf dem Preis vorgenommen (bis zu 4 Prozent). Günstiger ist es in der Regel, mit Bargeld zu bezahlen. Mittlerweile unterstützen aber viele Automaten der chinesischen Banken auch deutsche EC-Karten. Hier gilt es, auf das Maestro-Zeichen am Automaten zu achten. Der Betrag wird direkt in RMB ausgezahlt und vom Konto zum aktuellen Wechselkurs abgebucht. Dabei wird aber von den Kreditinstituten eine Gebühr fällig, welche bei drei bis vier Euro pro Abbuchung liegen kann. Es ist ratsam, vorher die Konditionen der eigenen Bank für diesen Fall nachzuprüfen. In der Jianguomennei Dajie gibt es eine Filiale der Citybank mit Geldautomat.
Geld kann am besten in Banken getauscht werden, was aber teilweise sehr lange dauern kann, da meistens erst noch eine Nummer gezogen werden muss und sich die Schalterbeamten sehr gerne Zeit lassen. Hotels bieten teilweise auch einen Geldwechsel an. Beim Geldwechsel sollte man immer einen Ausweis dabei haben. Die Quittungen sollte man nicht wegwerfen, da man diese eventuell beim Rücktausch am Ende des Aufenthalts vorzeigen muss.
The Benehmen der Bewohner von Peking, insbesondere im öffentlichen Raum, kann durchaus als rabiat und rücksichtslos beschrieben werden, obwohl sich die Situation in den letzten Jahren verbessert hat. Es gibt offenbar eine chinesische Lebensweisheit "Eine persönliche Gelegenheit zu verpassen ist schlimmer, als das Vermögen der Familie zu verschleudern"; getreu diesem Motto herrscht vor allem in größeren Menschenansammlungen ein gewisser Egoismus, und es wird gedrängelt wo nur irgendwie möglich. Etwas verbessert hat sich der Ein- und Aussteigevorgang in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln wo inzwischen beim Einsteigen meist gewartet wird bis andere Fahrgäste ausgestiegen sind, zur Hauptverkehrszeit kann es dennoch etwas enger werden. Sobald sich die Türen öffnen, drängen dann Fahrgäste sowohl von innen nach außen wie auch vom Bahnsteig/der Haltestelle hinein. Wer sich hier nicht rechtzeitig eine taktisch kluge Position verschafft oder sich gar in höflicher Zurückhaltung übt, zieht schnell den kürzeren. Selbst beim Anhalten von Taxis kommt es mitunter vor, dass ein weiterer Interessent einfach einsteigt während man selbst noch mit dem Fahrer verhandelt.
Ebenso sollte man beim Überqueren von Straßen, ungeachtet der Ampelphase, stets damit rechnen dass vier- und zweirädrige Verkehrsteilnehmer keineswegs anhalten um Fußgängern den Vortritt zu lassen. Besonders achten sollte man auf die häufig anzutreffenden Elektrofahrräder und -Roller, die oft mit halsbrecherischer Geschwindigkeit und ohne eine nennenswerte Geräuschkulisse zu erzeugen herannahen.
Um es kurz und knapp zu sagen: Wer in China kein Chinesisch spricht und/oder die Schriftzeichen nicht lesen kann, ist wie taubstumm. Aber keine Angst, im Zuge der Globalisierung und ebenso im Hinblick auf die Ausrichtung der Olympischen Sommerspiele 2008 verbreitet sich Englisch in Peking immer mehr.
In westlichen Hotels sprechen die Angestellten oftmals gutes Englisch.
Problematisch hingegen ist das Fahren mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln oder dem Taxi. Dort wird überwiegend gar kein Englisch gesprochen, was zur Folge hat, dass man sich die Anschriften sowohl seines Zielortes als auch - und das ist sehr wichtig - die Anschrift seiner Unterkunft unbedingt in chinesischen Schriftzeichen aufschreiben lassen muss, damit man wieder zurück findet.
Der Postleitzahlraum für die Hauptstadt erstreckt sich von 100000 bis 102600.
