Several dynasties and imperial reigns figure prominently in the city’s history. The bone structure of Beijing is predominantly Ming, laid over a Yuan blueprint; most of the vital architectural organs are Qing; the city’s complexion today, warts and beauty marks included, is Republican and People’s Republican. From about 1000BCE, a series of small states made [...]
Mar 242012
The Chinese dragon has not only woken up but is also moving aggressively to dominate the world business economy. With its annual GDP growth exceeding 9%, China has suddenly become the business destination of the mighty and rich multinational business corporations. China offers great business opportunities to a large variety of businessmen and therefore business travel to China is a must for every business executive.
Although China offers great business promise, there are certain factors you need to keep in mind before planning a business trip to China. While traveling through China, you may have to face the language barrier in communicating with the Chinese – starting with the cab driver to the hotel manager and ending up with your counterparts in your business. English, though the lingua franca of the world, is usually neither spoken nor understood in China.
Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Guangzhou are the main business destinations – besides numberless other smaller places. It is therefore advisable to contact a travel agency that specializes in China tours in these cities, and book a suitable hotel for you as per your budget.
The first important item to deal with is the language problems. For that you need an English-speaking guide as soon as you land in China. You should make sure that your travel agency provides you an English speaking cab driver who will be the first man to meet you as you step out of the airport. A non-speaker of Chinese cannot move about China without a guide. Therefore you need a guide who has thorough knowledge of the topography of the area you are visiting and can fluently communicate with you in English. You must ensure that the guide you get is professionally trained and certified by the China Travel Administration.
Two more pointers: first, protect your credit card from fraudulent activity, which is widely prevalent in China. Second, you must be aware that you cannot drive a car in China even if you are a licensed driver in your country. So you have to rent a car along with a driver for travel around the city.
Great Wall Tour – The Great Wall of China at Yaoziyu
There are numerous places to visit the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China near Beijing, ranging from the completely rebuilt, absolutely touristy section at Badaling (sometimes derisively referred to as the “Disneyland Great Wall”) to crumbling sections of the Wall that are off-the-beaten path such as the lesser-known section at Yaoziyu a couple of hours [...]
Beijing 2008
Beijing, located in northern China, is the second largest city in China, next to Shanghai, and the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Beijing is a major hub for transportation, which makes it even more important in the overall economics of the country. It is also the point to which many international flights arrive [...]