My parents went to China a couple of years ago and they loved it.
Particularly my mom, she was very impressed with the Chinese culture.

OMG, it's once-in-a -lifetime opportunity!  GO GO GO!!!!

Theresa
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com
alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/

I visited Beijing for a week in 1988 (the year before Tiananmen
Square). Back then, it reminded me of a fast growing city - major
construction everywhere! Someone in our group (I was there as part of
a professional group) was told that the city's logo included a crane
(the bird), and we all agreed it should have been a crane (the
construction equipment).

Our hotel, just a few blocks down a major boulevard from Tiananmen
Square, was owned by two Western businesses (including Air Canada).
Many Western hotel chains were also doing business there then or have
set up shop in Beijing since, including Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton,
Holiday Inn, etc.

I tended to stay with the group or in main areas, and didn't venture
off onto side-streets, but I tend to do that in US cities too!

When I was there they had 2 different currencies - one for tourist
use, the other for everyone else. The two weren't supposed to mix, but
if you bought anything with FEC (tourist money), you'd get your change
in "regular money". If we wanted to keep foreign money as souvenirs,
we had to hide a small amount when we left - when I was there we had
to 1) present money exchange receipts to account for the amount of
Chinese money you have, and 2) exchange the Chinese money back to
non-Chinese currency.

When I was there they had "Friendship Stores", which is loaded with
things to buy, but only tourists were allowed in to shop.

I thought the people were very friendly. Not many spoke English, but
this may have changed too.

Does your meeting schedule include "tourist time"? At a minimum I
recommend the Forbidden City (across the major blvd mentioned above
from Tiananmen Square, with Mao's portrait hanging on the wall
outside), and a 35-40 mile side trip to the Great Wall. There was also
the Summer Palace, a lovely area on a lake that was used by the
Emperor in the summer months.

Anyway, if your time and budget allow, I say why not! You'll likely
have a great time!

Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

http://www.jhedge.com

haven't been myself but have friends and colleagues.

For goodness sake, don't turn this oppurtunity down! Beijing is a big city
and China *wants* tourists from the West (or more correctly, wants their
money). The bigger hotels are set  up for English speaking tourists, but
that doesn't stop   you from seeing other more "native" parts of the country
either. Just take the usual precaution, and you'll have a wonderful time.

Yowie

/delurk

Absolutely.  My husband travels there for work - there is so much
culture and beauty, it is not to miss.  Much of what you hear about
the Chinese government is propaganda - life in the bigger cities in
China isn't much different than life in the US.  Go and see for
yourself!

-L.
/lurk

It's the chance of a lifetime; forget the politics, go for it!

Jill

Hi Helen,

I spend a lot of time in China, and I think Beijing is a magnificent
city.

It's clean, easy to get around, and just *full* of the art and gardens
you'd love to see. There are ancient temples (including the original
Confucian academy temple), and you're only 45 minutes on the bus away
from the Great Wall (get a tour from outside Beijing Zoo).

The people are great. It's not the marxist nightmare that it's
sometimes made out to be. You won't feel oppressed or continually
under surveillance... but don't try to access the CNN website from
your hotel ;)

The food is amazing, especially the little 'hutong' restaurants.

Taxis, food and accommodation is cheap. Language barriers are not much
trouble - more of an interesting challenge than an obstacle.

Go! Especially at this time of year when it will be warm, but not too
humid.

Cheers
Al.