Eilis Quinn, the author of the Lonely Planet's Beijing Encounter answers your questions about Beijing.

1) Which is the best area within Beijing to stay to be close to the Olympic action?

Sporting venues all over the city have thrown their doors open for the Games. You'll find yourself near the Olympic action no matter where you are. The Olympic Park is the city's crown jewel and the most prestigious events will take place here. Nab yourself accommodation in Dongcheng or North Chaoyang District and you'll be just minutes from the park by subway.

2) If we want to escape the Olympic mania where can we go?

If you need a breather from Olympic madness and the ubiquitous fuwa (Olympic mascots) visit the Worker's Cultural Palace. Just south of the Forbidden City, the temple complex inside this park is one of Beijing's best-kept secrets. Need to escape the city altogether? Consider a day-trip to a quiet, traditional village like Chuandixia.

3) What three essential words should we know how to pronounce while in Beijing?

Pianyi yidian! (A little cheaper please!) Love it or hate it, you can't escape haggling in Beijing. Most foreigners bark 'tai gui le' (too expensive!) at local merchants but this is considered borderline rude and not the 'local way'. So coo 'pianyi yidian' like a Beijinger and watch the price come down even more than you expected.

4) What is going to be the best way for us to get around during the Olympics?

A whack of new subway lines will open (knock wood!) by the time the Olympics roll around-so use them! Getting stuck in one of the city's hour-long traffic jams is one classic Beijing experience you don't want to have.

5) What is your favourite food in Beijing?

Beijing Duck is the city's signature dish and is well worth the hype. Elaborate preparation leaves the duck meat succulent on the inside and the skin delectably crispy on the outside. The bird is carved and served with traditional condiments. Pile everything into a delicate crepe and enjoy!

6) How much approximately should we budget for each day (eg for food, transport and activities)?

The average traveller can enjoy Beijing for around Y700(AUS$7) a day without feeling too deprived. Figure Y300-400 for a mid-range hotel; Y100 for meals in local restaurants and Y200-300 for transportation and entrance fees. However, if you're visiting during the Olympics, budget several times as much - many hostels and hotels are quadrupling their prices during the Games.

Quick Stop Itinerary

Day 1
Head to Temple of Heaven Park at dawn and watch thousands of Beijingers practice their daily Tai Chi. Afterwards, spend an hour or two exploring the Temple of Heaven itself (Beijing's most spectacular surviving example of Ming Architecture). Then, hop a subway or taxi to the Forbidden City (the former Imperial Palace) for a front-row seat to China's dynastic history.

Day 2
Start your morning with some shopping - arguably Beijingers' favourite pastime after eating. If it's a weekend, head to the open-air Panjiayuan Antique Market. If it's during the week, head to Liulichang Antique Street and rub elbows with local calligraphers and artists as they stock up on brushes and inks. Reserve the entire afternoon for Factory 798, Beijing's hotspot of contemporary art. This former factory complex in the city's northeast now houses over a hundred galleries, cafes, restaurants and shops.

Day 3
Take a day trip to one of the wonders of the world: the Great Wall of China. The Badaling section of the Great Wall may be heavily commercialized but it's the easiest part of the Wall for the elderly or small children to navigate. If you're relatively fit and not afraid of heights, choose the Great Wall at Simatai. The dramatic

More about Lonely Planet's Beijing Encounter

Beijing Encounter 1st Edition, by Eilis Quinn © Lonely Planet Publications, 2008. $18.95.