information

information

If you go

WEATHER: Beijing’s summers are hot and humid, with average highs around 86 degrees and lows of 68 degrees. Rain is frequent and often heavy.

METRO: Five lines run throughout the city; Line 10 takes you to Olympic venues while the Beijing Airport (L1) runs from Airport Terminals 2 and 3 into the city to the Dongzhimen metro stop (Line 2).

TIANANMEN AND FORBIDDEN CITY TOURS: Exit Tiananmen East or West metro stops for Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer; tickets are $8.70 per person and half-price for children and students. Audio tours are available for $6.80 with a $14.50 deposit. Tours can be found at www.chinatourdesign.com.

BICYCLE RENTALS & TOURS: www.utc88.com and www.cyclechina.com.

ECONOMY ACCOMMODATIONS: Peking Youth Hostel, www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel024648.en.htm. Kelly’s Courtyard, www.kellyscourtyard.com. China Youth Hostels Association, www.yhachina.com.

HIKING THE GREAT WALL: The best way to get to the Great Wall is with a tour group. The Badaling section is an hour’s drive outside of the city; tickets cost $6.80, open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mutianyu is 1.5-hour drive outside of Beijing; tickets cost $5, open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A scenic and less crowded Great Wall experience is the four-hour-long Simatai to Jinshanling hike; a 2.5-hour drive outside of the city, it is open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for Simatai cost $6.80, and $4.50 for Jinshanling. Tour information can be found at www.tour-beijing.com/great—wall.

NATIONAL STADIUM: The National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, is a 30-minute taxi ride, if there is light traffic, or by the Line 10 metro from downtown Beijing. Exit at the Olympic Park area.