InterContinental Financial Street Beijing, Beijing

Advantages: Near lots of tourist sites
Disadvantages: Very Busy

...Beijing is a very different to the all the other cities in the rest of the world. It has changed alot since the end or the Miao reign and has been influenced by western culture a lot. There are still alot of bycles around but not as many as there used to be. No longer are there the comunal toilets where you all share, there are now sperated tolets although some of the Chineese do not shut the toilet doors becuase they like the htought of comunal toilets. Beijing is a very hot place in the summer so keep to the shade. The driving is also very manic, you have do dodge the cars.... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap place once you've got there
Disadvantages: the problems one experiances are basically due to the language barrier

...Beijing isn't all that I was made to believe it to be it has a touch of the oriental old style with areas such as the Summer palace and the Forbidden city, which are a must see for those who intend on taking back photos of the ancient dynasties. However those who have visited know of how metropolitan the city is it's streets are crammed full of people busy with city life, much the same as London or any other major city. There are towering offices that seem to travel miles into the sky, roads that weave in and out and to be honest leaves the best of us wondering where we are. The city is terrific there are more things to do here thatn in most cities around the world and whats more it's cheap. Areas for shopping are basically well established market places, these include the silk alley, San li Tun (otherwise known as the bar street... Read review

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Advantages: Delicious, freshly prepared food
Disadvantages: None

...I popped into the Marble Arch Pret a Manger to discover that, horror of horrors, they no longer made my favourite lunch time snack - the magical Goan Crayfish wrap. Although taken aback by this devastating news I decided to try a different wrap - Peking Duck with Spring Onions. I am pleased to be able to report that this was delicious and more than made up for my initial disappointment. This wrap cost about £3.50. I also tried a Mango fruit crush to accompany the Peking Duck wrap and this. too, was outstandingly good. There is no doubt in my mind that Pret a Manger offers excellent freshly prepared food in a no nonense format, far superior to any similar lunchtime offering. The coffee is good too. I have no hesitation in recommending Pret a Manger to you if you haven't already tried them.... Read review

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