Fact Sheets & Video - Beijing

Beijing - Gearing up for the Olympics

Beijing, the host city for the 2008 Olympic Games, is in full-throttle as the countdown to the final seconds of the Opening Ceremony escalates. A bustling and highly populated international metropolis, China's capital is both a tribute to the country's proud history and a gateway to its future. In light of the city's major transformation, including architecturally designed venues, efforts to improve air quality, mastering English, broader smiles and generally a much more amiable destination, Beijing is worth a look in - whether as a spectator during the Games or a visitor post Olympics.

As the number 8 is regarded as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on the 08.08.2008. This will mark the official kick-off to a total of 28 sports, incorporating 302 events that will take place over two weeks. The Olympic action will occur at 37 venues, 31 of which are located in four main areas of Beijing.

Of course the two most recognised venues are the The National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and The Aquatics Centre (Water Cube), located next to one another at the Olympic Green. The Bird's Nest derives its nickname from its eye-catching criss-cross stitch supports around a hollow centre, and will host the majority of the track and field events at the Games. Meanwhile the Water Cube, which is easily recognised by its distinct blue and clear bubbles, is the host venue for the majority of swimming and diving events. To most Beijingers these new buildings are regarded as culturally relevant. The Bird's Nest is a Chinese culinary delicacy while the Water Cube is seen as appropriate yin to the stadium's yang. Both are seen as powerful symbols of modern Beijing. With the Olympic bump expected to draw around 550,000 foreign visitors in August alone to Beijing, the largest daily inflow is estimated at 300,000, adding to this already highly populated city. To accommodate the influx, around 70, 000 volunteers were required for the Games and subsequently had to participate in English classes so that they could assist people on the street and at the venues. Since the announcement that Beijing was the host city for the 2008 Games, it created such an overwhelming enthusiasm that when the call went out more than half a million applicants were received.

But amidst the recent advances and the Olympic Games mania, the likes of haggling for a bargain in Beijing retain genuine cultural traditions. The Panjiayuan Market is regarded as a "super shopping" experience for a range of Chinese arts and crafts, including Mao memorabilia (Communist Kitsch). Consisting of well over 3,000 individual stalls, the Panjiayaun Market is the largest antiques market of its kind both in China and Asia and has an annual business volume of RMB several hundred million. A visit to the market is now considered equally significant to a tour of the Great Wall and the Palace Museum.

Beijing is also reputed to be the gastronomic capital where imperial cuisine, Peking duck, hot pot and dumplings are the main items on its menu. Traditionally a wintertime meal, hot pot consists of a simmering metal pot of stock at the centre of the dining table. Ingredients are placed into the pot and are cooked at the table. Typical hot pot dishes include thinly sliced meat, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, and seafood. It is then usually eaten with a dipping sauce.

There are basically two kinds of hot pot restaurants in Beijing: Mongolian style and Sichuan style. The most famous Mongolian hot-pot restaurant in the capital city is Donglaishun near Tiananmen Square. Literally translating to "Success Comes from the East", this is where meals have been savoured by leading statesmen of many countries. Apparently the mutton slices that are used in the hot pot at Donglaishun are finer and thinner than anywhere else.

Further Information

Beijing, CHINA

Thai Airways International fly return to Beijing from

$1729 west coast

$1946 east coast

www.thaiairways.com.au

Prices correct at 25/6/08. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply

Travel Indochina

Travel Indochina offer 10 day Highlights of China Small Group Journeys starting

from $2690 per person twin share. Plus $500 discount per couple if booking deposit received within 7 days

Prices at the Sofitel Wanda Beijing Hotel start from $246 per room per night.

For further information on travel packages, such as small group journeys or accommodation, contact Travel Indochina on:

1300 365 355

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Donglaishun Hot Pot Restaurant

T: +86-10-6524-1042

East Side Tiananmen Square

Beijing