For those of you who have been there, what do you think of Beijing, China?

You should not think twice about going for it. Do not worry about safety... you will find it much better than any big city in the US. The locals will not hassle you as there are plenty of Beijingers to rob. I feel perfectly safe out on the streets at any time of day or night. Besides that, the local government wants to show the world that Beijing is safe place to visit (especially in the run-up to olympics).

In general, Beijing is a big modern city like any other... too much traffic, too many people, etc. The air quality is not good, but tolerable (for me, anyway). But after you look deeper, you'll find that there is no other palce like China in terms of history and culture.

I am an American and have lived in Beijing for several years. The place is facinating and I learn new stuff all the time... I never get tired of being surprised by some of the stuff that goes on here. If you decide to make the move you can contact me for more info.

Beijing is really polluted... but for an older foreigner who is interested in keeping the comforts of life, it is probably the city with the best standard of living for you. A strong expat community will keep you sane. China is a pretty safe country... when you consider the population (and the average income) and the crime rate against foreigners it's almost too good to be true.

Beijing will be a mad house during the Olympics, and all my friends are planning to be out of the city when it happens. If you want to see the Olympics, buy it soon... they are expensive and very very hard to get.

I love it and just got back.

In order of importance:

1. Great Wall. Go to the section farthest away. It is worth it by all accounts. Contact me and I will send you pictures.

2. The Hutongs west of the Back Lakes. Go for dinner. Have drinks on the lake at the Jaz Bars. You will want a second day there if you have a romantic interest.

3. Shop at the Silk Store that is Government owned.

4. Tennamen but I was disappointed. It is a must, however.

5. Shop. Get a guide to help you so they will negotiate for you. If not, offer a third of any prices offered and you should be ok.

6. See the Olympic site. There are two stadiums and you cannot leave without seeing them.

I kept my list short but you have to see all of them. Then, fill your time in however you like. One last thing. Get a massage at the end of a day...do it early because you will surely want to do it again, eat at only good restaurants, have a hot pot dinner and the Peking Duck. Enjoy!!!

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Beijing is a nice city, culturally rich, huge, and internationally open. True, it is polluted, but the government is taking steps to address this situation before the 2008 Olympics. Beijing (and most places in China) is one of the safest places in the world (I would say : much more than LA or New York), specially for foreigners.

People are friendly, at least in appearance. There is a cultural gap, of course, and this makes life there even more interesting. You will be surprised everyday.

China is not a free country, but this will probably never prevent you to do anything you like, whether you prefer to attend church service, meet girls or play mah jong. In case you are really an unbearable person, and want to proclaim Taiwan independence on Tian An Men square, the worse that can happen to you as a US citizen is that they will put you on a plane back to the US. Situation is rather different for national Chinese, I must say, but most Chinese are undisturbed, as what really concerns them is how to get richer faster.

Just got back from a holiday there. Do you speak the language because i found it really hard to communicate, that was my main problem. Its safe but dirty, I was in Beijing and the locals spit ALOT. Very different from western culture but a good experience over all.

My husband lives there (with easy to find desperate young Chinese girlfriends...).

It's very polluted (your eyes will be running like you have allergies) and expensive (you have to make a lot of money just to afford to rent an apartment in the city) but if you're bored where you are, you won't be bored there.

As far as safety is concerned, it's pretty safe (I guess not worse than NY or LA) unless you speak against their government...then you could end up in a prison somewhere where nobody will ever find you again...lol (people there don't even know about the "Tank Man", they're so brainwashed...even their Internet is censured).

Be aware of the air pollution. The smog could be heavy at times and, in addition, the dust storms could make a sunny day into a cloudy day.

For me, I am swiss, it is just a crazy, buisy, big place, with really bad air quality. Forbidden city is just great,the chinese wall, which is outside beijing is also awesome to see, and I love chinese food, so also from this side i was happy there

polluted --had a hard time breathin, stay away during the Olympics -- goona be lots of police types all over the place and if u go DO NOT take a bible with u

i am living in beijing/tianjin for three years. you are gonna love it. you can apply for a job in tianjin, its very near to beijing(1hour by train) and cheaper to live here.

wish you have a good time