First impressions are 'what a huge, and mixed up city'. Very impressive newly built skyscrapers and 5 star hotels line the main streets but behind them lay the ancient and very poor alleyways that some of the city people live in called Hutongs. All are by the side of some the most impressive buildings in the world! The Forbidden City was only actually built to allow the emperors of China a lavish existence, so lush that they didn't even need to walk anywhere!
As for the people, they were ok, but in our experience some, are also very happy to take advantage of the tourists at every opportunity.
On the first night, we went shopping and bought a fitted pair of italian jeans, (altered whilst we waited - it took no longer than 5 minutes, amazing) for just £12.
We then had 1 bottle of Evian Water at the hotel bar before bed - it cost £10!! I swear, you could have knocked me over with a feather I was so shocked!
That's the most expensive water I have ever drunk. Its pictured on this blog entry to remind me of the lesson learnt - when in China, check the menu and prices BEFORE ordering!
Also, for us, the final night in Beijing was quite a spoiler. Our guide, who had been great, after talking us in to going to see the expensive Kung Fu show, then told us that she only got paid if we left her a generous tip! The expected tip being more per day than we have allowed for our food budget!
Gob smacked! However, we also felt that we had no choice but to pay, c'est la vie.
The show finished around 9.30 and we needed a cab to get back to the hotel which was about 5 miles away. Having travelled a similar distance the night before, we knew the cab should be no more than 25 yuan. The first taxi driver quoted 100! The second one quoted 60 yuan, 2 rickshaws quoted 50, then 30, but I wasn't at all convinced that the old bloke knew where he needed to go.
So, after walking around for about 30 minutes in light rain, we eventually found a taxi rank. We waited for a metered cab, near to a Hutong, for a good hour. Fortunately, he did know where we needed to be and we got back to the hotel, tired and damp at about 11pm. The bill for the cab - 19 yuan!
Sum up of the last day - culturally stranded! Would I go to Beijing again, you bet ya! In the morning, we are moving on to Xi'an, but also much wiser having spent the last two days in Beijing!