Beijing |
Posted by Terence
Jun
16
2010
Having just attempted a trip to Purple Cloud Mountain (紫云山) in Beijing Miyun District (北京密云区) – which sounded good in the Beijing Excursions Guide – I was disappointed to find it shut upon arrival. They’re no longer in business, gates firmly shut.
Instead, we ended up going a bit further to YunMengShan (云蒙山) for a brief hike up the valley. Unfortunately yet another Chinese style country park (i.e. buy ticket, not wild paths) it was nonetheless quite pleasant considering. There were no camels waiting for posers, nor old ladies selling souvenirs. There was a drinks station – but beyond that, the zip-line, and the other people (not too many, mind) it was actually a nice walk through fairly natural paths with running streams and watering holes nearby (note: water still very cold in mid-June). Entrance tickets currently ¥35 RMB.
To get there, or the closed ZiYunShan which is en-route, one can take the 936 bus directly from the old bus terminus at DōngZhíMén (东直门长途车站) – but be prepared for a slow journey and you might have to change to another 936 mid-route. Faster would be to take 916 from the new DōngZhíMén terminus, getting off at NánHǔaShìChǎng (怀柔南华市场) in HuaiRou, then switching to the 916 WàiHuán (外环) for a few stop hop to YúJiāYuán (于家园) where you can catch the 936 destined for TāngHéKǒu (汤河口). Sounds complicated, but it’s quicker. If you can’t be bothered – once getting off the 916 initially initially in HuaiRou, you will no doubt be stalked by black cab drivers. Make sure you haggle. Returning to Beijing, beware the last 916 bus departs HuaiRou at 7pm sharp.
Long distance busses in China often share the same number – as is the case above. Make sure you get the right one. Yes it’s stupid, but that’s just how it is.
A final note: whilst YunMengShan is actually in MìYǔn County it’s closer and more convenient to access from HuaiRou.
I’ve been following with interest recent news in this part of the world regarding China’s ambitious High Speed Rail plans.
This is of course nothing new: original plans were initiated in 2006 by China’s Ministry of Railways with 2008 seeing the opening of the dedicated high speed link from Beijing (北京) to Tianjin (天津). In December 2009 the link from Guangzhou (广东广州) in the south began whizzing passengers to Wuhan (湖北武汉) and back at average speeds of 312km/h – currently the fastest long distance rail line in the world.
In fact, several similar high speed lines are now in operation with more coming, in addition to many semi-high speed (250km/h) railways. Wikipedia has an excellent overview of the China high speed rail situation.
What caught my eyes are the ambitious plans to extend high speed rail travel to Europe: at just over 8,100km that comes to a little over 24 hours, though of course straight line is not possible. It’s a hugely ambitious plan, not least because of differences in track gauge (both S.E. Asia below China & Russia / Far-Eastern Europe to the West are on different gauges), but financing, planning permission, and operation logistics are all issues to be resolved. And then there’s visa’s.
China is already in discussion with 17 nations regarding this very issue, having reportedly already reaching basic agreements with Myanmar and Russia, the former to be funded by China in exchange for vital resources. There’s much debate over the imperialistic tendencies of China here with its ever-increasing dominance in Asia – but there’s no arguing that such a railway connection would provide a huge boost in logistic capability for all involved.
I’m more interested to see how this pans out in Europe. Just yesterday the UK Government announced a high speed link from London to Birmingham, stretching eventually to Manchester and Leeds. With construction slated to begin in 2017 and considering that it took eight years to obtain planning permission for Heathrow’s T5, that’s a huge contrast to China which is aiming for 10,000km of track by 2015. I can’t condone forced evictions nor balk at due process, but sometimes it takes a powerful government to think big and actually achieve something.
I hope China pushes hard with this. It won’t be easy.
Prices have now been released for the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS which began sale in China this month with China Unicom. The sales model will be similar to that in Hong Kong, whereby the phone is sold cheaply with an additional prepayment for mobile service.
This is alongside updated pricing plans (linked tariff for non-iPhone users), promising greater data quota’s than previous packages and China Mobile’s current offerings. The higher the service plan used, the cheaper the iPhone is sold for. This offer requires a 24 month service commitment.
Details of pricing and service plans available on China Unicom Online Store (or in English via Google Translate). There are slight differences over the standard packages, notably increased data quota and free SMS bundles.
Note: Chinese iPhones have WiFi disabled, but are not carrier locked. For a full featured unlocked phone, consider purchasing from Apple Store Hong Kong. Or wait for a WAPI/WiFi release in China.
I’ve reported before on how much trouble the banking system in China can be. Today, I went to repay my Bank of China credit card only to be asked for my ID and told to fill in some forms. The reason? I was repaying my USD account and first had to purchase USD.
Some basic background: due to foreign currency restrictions in China there is no free flow of currency in or out of China. Each person has a USD$50,000 limit they can use annually for purchase/sale of foreign currency. Therefore, purchase of USD would generally require registration with SAFE (国家外汇管理局). Many credit cards issued in China have statements separated into RMB and a foreign currency (usually USD) – all foreign purchases are converted and invoiced here. The “foreign” portion of the card works like any credit card overseas.
Typically, my credit card is repaid through direct debit. Once setup, I need do nothing apart from ensuring I have sufficient funds monthly, and both “accounts” (RMB and USD) are repaid automatically. USD repayments here fall outside of the USD$50K annual limit. Apparently telephone instruction are also outside of the limit. Going in person to the bank, however, requires you to carry out the foreign currency purchase procedure – which is troublesome and uses your quota.
- all for a matter of US$20, in my case.
This inconsistency appears to be a fault in logic for me. Despite the forex restrictions in place, there are so many ways to escape it – purchases abroad and repayment through direct debit being one. ATM withdrawal using foreign card is another. For those looking to get larger amounts of RMB into China, you can consider an RMB account in Hong Kong: you can purchase 20,000RMB daily and transfer 80,000RMB per batch to China with scrutiny. Then of course, there’s the underground banks – extremely fast and efficient.
While on the topic of banking restrictions… why can I replace a passbook in any BOC branch but to replace ATM card I must return to the opening branch? why, why?
They really don’t like to make things easy here.
This amusing clip on CCTV (China Central Television) claims that Tibet is open for foreigners and that there are no restrictions. They even boast of having 36 organised groups – including 12 of foreigners for the National Day Holiday week!
Firstly, it’s a load of bollocks. I’m planning a trip to Tibet mid-October and there’s certainly been no relaxation of TTB requirements. If anything, they are now stricter than two years ago, and regulations are constantly changing (though to be fair it’s still better than during the Olympics).
Secondly, as if the clip is supposed to impress that China is open about Tibet, an announcement that there are no restrictions is about as reassuring as claiming one didn’t commit robbery today – surely the opposite of normal ‘newsworthiness’. Except, when it comes to Tibet, to say it’s unrestricted is newsworthy… but if only it were true.
News on this a bit thin at the moment, but speculation is rife on whether the restaurant that blew up in Beijing this morning was, in fact, due to gas leakage as officially stated – or a bomb blast. We shall soon find out.
The government line is that it was caused by gas canister. I don’t know much about police detection work, and presume it’s fairly quick to rule out foul play in normal circumstances, though in China and particularly with the pending National Day Celebrations I wouldn’t necessarily give the government the benefit of the doubt.
In any event, it was a good restaurant. That would be the biggest shame – not to mention of course those injured in the blast.
China Unicom (中国联通) announced new 3G tariff plans to coincide with its official 3G launch on 1st October. The new plans give additional, cheaper, post-paid monthly tariff options as well as increased data quotas. The previous add-on data plans will no longer be valid.
Existing 186RMB plan remains (510mins talk-time) but now with 650mb data allowance. The cheapest 96RMB plan includes 240mins talk-time and 300mb data. 126RMB will get you 320mins and 400mb data.
Those interested in downgrading to the new cheaper plans should contact China Unicom customer service at 10010.
Additionally, previous 2G customers on 13x numbers can now also switch to 3G service without changing number or SIM card.
Update: Plan details now available online, but in Chinese only. I include a brief overview in English below:
| Monthly fee |
Talk time |
Data |
Video call |
Free SMS |
| 66 RMB* |
50mins |
300mb |
10mins |
240 |
| 96 RMB |
240mins |
300mb |
10mins |
None |
| 126 RMB |
320mins |
400mb |
15mins |
None |
| 156 RMB |
420mins |
500mb |
20mins |
None |
| 186 RMB |
510mins |
650mb |
20mins |
None |
| 226 RMB |
700mins |
750mb |
25mins |
None |
| 286 RMB |
900mins |
950mb |
30mins |
None |
| 386 RMB |
1250mins |
1.3 Gb |
50mins |
None |
| 586 RMB |
1950mins |
2 Gb |
100mins |
None |
| 886 RMB |
3000mins |
3 Gb |
180mins |
None |
All plans include free incoming calls nationwide. Domestic roaming & long distance dialing within China now inclusive in talk time with standardised nationwide pricing.
* Student plan available for valid students in China only.
I was bored over dinner the other day in Beijing so decided to take a photo. A specialty of the restaurant 眉洲东坡 (this particular one at ChunXiuLu 春秀路) – this dish of stewed beef slices served in a concoction of chilli’s and broth was actually quite tasty! And cheap too.