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Think Beijing
The Olympic Beijing
So, you think you might be in the market for a trip to Beijing. In a city that has 4 times as many bicycles as cars, you are certainly in for a treat. Beijing is home of the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and one of the best places to walk The Great Wall. Get ready to see some amazing updates in this busy city, including the 'birds nest' stadium, as it is set to host the 2008 Olympics.
How are you going to get there?
Think a flight to Beijing might be too expensive? That's not the case! Check out these great STA Travel deals on airfare. Depending on your departure city, a direct flight to Beijing takes between 12-13.5 hours to touch down, so make sure you give yourself plenty of days to explore all the wonders that China has to offer.
| Departure City | Price* |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | from $809 |
| New York City | from $952 |
| Boston | from $904 |
| Chicago | from $904 |
| Denver | from $1095 |
| Los Angeles | from $857 |
| *Prices shown are per person and do not include US- and foreign government-imposed taxes and fees associated with travel, which can be up to an additional $400 per round-trip ticket. Seats are limited and may not be available on all dates and flights. All prices are subject to change without notice. |
Beijing, China's capital is chock full of things to see and do. The Olympics will be held in August, and if you haven't already booked tickets for specific events, consider yourself left out of the festivities. Practice using chopsticks before you leave, because forks aren't usually given unless you are eating in a modern restaurant. Also, keep in mind that tips were outlawed until recently, and are still generally frowned upon.
Don't see your departure city on that list? Not to worry! You can search your departure city and individual dates by clicking the orange button below.
Where are you going to stay?
STA Travel is all about keeping it real, so we think it's best to hit you with this one up front. You probably won't find many western toilets around Beijing, though we're sure that many will be installed in the central locations for the Olympics in August. In the outskirts of Beijing, you will find a squat hole. We don't think that one requires any further explanation. Moving swiftly along, we have to think about where you're going to crash. Chances are, you're going to be interested in one thing, and one thing only...a bed. Hostels are perfect for that.
Not exactly sure what hostels are? Well, hostels are communal accommodations geared toward backpackers and those travelers who want to sleep on the cheap. Accommodation is usually dormitory style with anywhere from 4 to 40 beds in a room. Dormitory rooms are sometimes separated by gender, but some hostels mix genders in the same room. Bathrooms and showers may be shared among several rooms. Some hostels offer private rooms in addition to dormitory rooms. Many hostels offer additional amenities such as a communal kitchen, lockers or baggage storage, internet, TV lounge, or a tour desk. Hostels offer a fantastic way of meeting people from around the world.
If haunting memories of freshman year dorms are coming back to you right now, flashback style, then you probably prefer hotels. STA Travel certainly has those covered too. But be aware that hotels vary around the world, and most are likely to be much smaller than hotels that you are familiar with in the United States. If you're looking for something with all the amenities of an American hotel, then you need to choose at least a 3 Globe hotel. You can search STA Travel's wide variety of accommodations by clicking the orange button below.
What do you want to do?
It's no secret that the dollar is struggling against foreign currencies. Obviously, that makes it even more difficult for American travelers to explore and experience everything full throttle. Check out our solution.
| Try This | Price* |
|---|---|
| Taste of China- Southbound | from $875 |
| *Prices shown are per person and do not include US- and foreign government-imposed taxes and fees associated with travel. Seats are limited and may not be available on all tours. All prices are subject to change without notice. |
Tours! Taking a tour that is booked before you leave helps you stay at ease when you cross the pond and start burning through your travel funds. Tours are guided by experts, and help you experience a little of the road less traveled. Check out one of STA Travel's favorite tours here, or search for more with the orange button below.
More Information
Check out STA's student travel community, STA Travelers, to see videos, photos and blogs written by fellow students who have been to Beijing.
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*Additional taxes/fees: sample fares posted on www.statravel.com are per person and include the booking fee. Fares are subject to additional charges including, but not limited to: September 11th Security Fee of up to $5.00 for each flight segment originating at a U.S. airport; Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18, depending on itinerary; Federal Segment Fees of $3.50 per segment; and foreign and U.S. Government-imposed charges of up to $400 per international round-trip flight, depending on routing and destination. STA Travel is the world's largest student, youth and budget travel organization specializing in cheap flights, hotels and hostels, student travel insurance, and the International Student ID Card (ISIC).
