Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
›
The symbol for men is
男
(
nan
) and women is
女
(
nu
).
Dos & Don'ts
•
In general, the Chinese do not stand on ceremony.
•
Beijingers are getting better at queuing, but it's a work in progress; expect some scrums.
•
The Asian concept of 'face', and maintaining it at all times, means losing your temper in public is not good
form. Smiling your way out of problems is always the best option.
•
Avoid discussing politics with the locals.
•
When eating, don't point your chopsticks at people and don't stick them vertically in a bowl of rice; it's an
omen of death.
Tourist Information
›
Staff at the chain of
Beijing Tourist Information Centers
(
北京旅游咨询
; 9am-5pm)
around town generally have limited English-language skills and are not always helpful,
but you can grab a free tourist map of town.
›
Your best sources of information will be your accommodation and other travellers.
Travellers with Disabilities
›
Beijing is a challenge for anyone with limited mobility.
›
Take a lightweight wheelchair that can be folded up if necessary.
›
There are few elevators (lifts), plus escalators in subway stations usually only go up.
›
Streets are overcrowded and uneven, forcing wheelchair users onto the road itself.
›
Getting around sights is difficult - ramps are rare.
›
Travellers with sight, hearing or mobility disabilities will also need to be extremely cau-
tious of the traffic, which does not yield to pedestrians.
