Topic: Beijing on Bitcoin (a new holiday experience) (Read 3085 times)

One of the cool things I'm finding about Bitcoin is how it breaks down nationalism. I want to trade Bitcoin with EVERYONE!

This is to EVERYONE who is thinking about visiting Beijing!

CIYAM helped us out in Beijing!  They are a super team, and very VERY RELIABLE!

I hope that people will have a chance to meet/contact you while in Beijing because I cannot think of a better BITCOIN-FRIENDLY BASE for people to start their exploration of Beijing! 

Specifically, with a little bitcoin "deposit" CIYAM helped us go through the gruelling/feared Tourist Visa Extension ordeal with the Public Security Bureau (PSB).  Actually, having our hands held, and also having a cool 21,000 RMB cash ($3000 USD) from CIYAM to deposit/secure/lock into a bank account it actually became a smooth, and dare I say, 'okay', experience, where in the end we had two tourist visa extension applications on the way in only  days of fussing with the beaurocracy 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!   

Oh, and great thanks goes to the Bitcoin technology, which also made securing our deal really easy! 

On a side note, if you are too lazy to research what CIYAM is upto... in a few words, I can say that they are definitely upto A LOT OF GOOD, and hopefully, the genious behind CIYAM will shine some very bright and energizing light onto the Bitcoin community.   (oh, I am not going into any details as it is TOO TECHNICAL, but sure sounds good!)

I can hardly wait to see how all your efforts pan out!  GOOD LUCK!

Cheers everybody

Well if you can handle lamb a very popular snack/meal here is called "yang rou chaunr" (羊肉串 http://www.echinacities.com/expat-corner/guide-to-street-food.html) - it's BBQ lamb on sticks (can buy in the streets and in restaurants and usually only 2 RMB per stick).

As it is warming right up now (around 30 C during the day) it's perfect to mix some BBQ with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and beer!

I wouldn't mind travelling to Asia, my biggest problem is my food allergies/picky-ness..
I am allergic to ALL types of nuts, and all sea-food.. and I refuse to eat pork and beef haha....

this seems like a pretty interesting idea tho!

It can be a little tricky to avoid meat here, however, we do know of a few quality vegetarian restaurants that are around the Lama Temple area.

Very nice, I'd like to do some exploration on my own, but I'm not discarding your help! Once in Beijing I'll try to reach you.



I'm not a meat eater anymore, but I think I'll have to open an exception while in China!


Am I going to find trouble with this food restriction issue?

I'm working/studying in Beijing atm, and have met Ian couple of times : to talk about bitcoin, to discover real chinese food (delicious traditionnal hotpot) and hype expat lair : he's the guy! With him and his Chinese wife, you won't feel like a tourist, especially when Chineses will try to scam you

Life is pretty cheap in Beijing, compared to good old west Europe: subway trip is about 0.2€, complete decent meal for 4-5€, acommodation varies due to chinese standards (hard bed, small bathroom, not uber-clean rooms). If you're ok with fake stuff (clothes, sunglasses, bags), you can cut nice deals. My chinese is too poor to negociate anything serious tho (electronics, GPU, etc.).

I highly recommend OP to every bitcoin lover planning to fly to Beijing!

Sent a PM.

Plenty of cafes and bars with free wifi in Beijing so having a get together with laptops in tow is easily worked out.

This wouldn't be a problem for me if the merchants accepted Bitcoin! I'd be all over that shit haggling prices in Bitcoin for their nicknacks.

I will be going to Bejing soon, over summer.

Is it possible to do an in-person exchange? Bitcoins for RMB?

We took a group of German travellers to Mutianyu yesterday and scored a perfect blue sky day (temperature was around 25 C with a slight breeze).



I spent quite a bit of time explaining about Bitcoin to the them and have generated some interest in using it for travel (bring on the German backpackers ).

Today my legs are rather sore from the climb - will need to get a bit fitter if am going make this trip a regular event.

Sounds like we have Hong Kong covered now as well (perhaps we can finish our side in Shenzhen and let you take over from there).

Would be great if "Plato" could make his next Bitcoin trip a "round the world" one.

Hi OP, this idea has been in my mind for sometime: peer to peer tourism and exchange service for Bitcoiners. Just like you, I have experience acting as tour guide for my family members and I also like to visit other parts of this wonderful world(I am from Hong Kong). It will be great value/service if our Bitcoiners around the world can help each other.

It looks like you guys have a great service set up. If I were planning on being in Beijing soon I'd definitely take you up on this offer.

We would be willing to take you to Chang Chun (the capital city of the Ji Lin province that borders North Korea) where we could try and work out how to get a visa for you (we haven't done this before so will require some research if you are really keen on this).

Even if you're not our first BTC tourist we'll extend the offer to you (whenever you arrive) just for being the first to post a reply.

We are also willing to take people to Shanghai, Xian or Hangzhou (and other cities are possible by arrangement).

I would jump at this offer if I wasnt in contract. If your still offering this when im out of my agreement il be there. Planning to do asia with the bitcoin I have saved while working so seems like an excellent opportunity   of where to start.

Spring has sprung in Beijing - a great time to visit Xiang Shan (http://www.kinabaloo.com/xiangshan_park_beijing.html) or do some Great Wall exploring.

As an incentive to be the very first BTC tourist in China - enjoy a Beijing Roast Duck meal on us at Quan Ju De (http://www.beijingattractions.org/Beijing-Famous-Restaurants/Quan-Ju-De.html)!

Yes - I just had the Tuk Tuk experience in Bangkok again recently (last time I did this was around 20 years ago and it hasn't changed). Got taken to at least four different shops with the last one being a travel agency (so no products to look at just a desk to be sat at with a high pressure salesman on the other side).

Mind you there are some bargains to be had in Beijing (although the Silk Market is not really a good place to look for them) and also we can arrange purchases via Taobao (the Chinese equivalent of eBay) provided the goods can be delivered whilst you are over here (generally deliveries are 2-3 days). I very much doubt any other tour will offer people this service.

Also for people on a budget we are very familiar with using the subway (best value in the world at 2 RMB to go anywhere on it 1 way), buses (often less than 0.5 RMB by using an IC card which we will provide you with upon arrival) and even know of the best value hostels (as we have some friends that regularly stay at them).


Cheers,

Ian.

I've visited Beijing in March. It was cold, but not too bad. Great city, plenty of stuff to see.

What OP says is true, the guides will all try to bring you to shops that push crap on you. Going with a guide who won't do that is a major plus!