<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I took my niece to Beijing last May for a few weeks, and it is very easy to get around. We stayed at the Raffles Hotel (great location – walk to almost anything) with subway close by and easy to learn and use to get you around the city. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The hotel hooked us up with a private car and driver to get to a more remote part of the Great wall that is not so busy...about a 2 hour car ride each way. That way, you can stop when you see something you want to visit, and the driver was so impressive, we hired him several times again to visit places we wanted to see, or even for a day around the city (traffic is very crowded, but nobody ever honks a horn). I think the 9 hour car rental with driver cost something like $120! The super high speed trains will wisp you to Shangri in no time: make sure you reserve them in advance. I wish we had them here in the States (they were written up in Vanity Fair about 6 months ago). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Also, I’ve learned to pack clothes you are tired of, and leave them for the maids. You’ll buy so many clothes, its not worth bringing back your older clothes to the States. I also buy a suitcase there (or two) or pack one inside the other going over. The Zoo market opposite the zoo (also worth visiting) is a blast. Crowded, but bargains galore. Also try the silk market, and by all means have lots and lots of clothes made for yourself! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bell MT","serif";color:#1F497D'>Paul K. Williams<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bell MT","serif";color:#1F497D'>Kelsey & Associates, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bell MT","serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://washingtonhistory.com/"><span style='color:blue'>WashingtonHistory.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bell MT","serif";color:#1F497D'>202-213-9796<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bell MT","serif";color:#1F497D'>Visit our daily history blog at <a href="http://www.househistoryman.blogspot.com/"><span style='color:blue'>HouseHistoryMan</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Bell MT","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> chat-bounces@charlesvillage.info [mailto:chat-bounces@charlesvillage.info] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Dawna Cobb<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:11 AM<br><b>To:</b> The Charles Village Chat List<br><b>Subject:</b> [Chat] inquiry about travel in China<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi all: My husband and I are going to China in the fall to visit our son who will be studying in Bejing. We want to explore other cities, too and wonder how easy it is to do on your own. We are open to taking a tour if it is small and involves walking, hiking, biking, etc. If you have any suggestions let me know. Thanks! Dawna<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>