Beijing: A Visitor's Guide

I plan to visit Beijing at least twice this year -- once for an upcoming China Investment Cruise in March and again for the Summer Olympics in August. Despite heavy pollution and bad weather, Beijing's cultural and artistic sophistication draws me back to the city again and again. Beijing can be a fun city to visit, but visitors need to know their way around in order to get the most out of their experience there. Here's a short list of things that you need to know if you plan to visit China's capital city:

When to go: The best time of the year to visit Beijing is in mid- October, when the weather is cool and the dust is calm. You may not realize this, but in the spring, dust storms from the Gobi Desert often hit the city and turn a casual day of sightseeing into a test of endurance and pain. You should be safe from the storms if you visit between July and February.

Where to stay: There are many five-star hotels in Beijing. For me, the Peninsula Palace Hotel has the right combination of interesting character, excellent service, a central location and comfortable rooms. I've also heard good things about the new Ritz Carlton Hotel on Financial Street, but I've never stayed there before.

For those who don't want to break the bank on booking accommodations at a luxury hotel, The Beijing Shangri La offers five-star amenities at a reasonable price (under $200 a night), although the location is a bit out of the way.

Where to eat: Because of uneven sanitation standards, eating out in Beijing can be a hazardous experience. Visitors would be well-advised not to be too adventurous. Restaurants at five-star hotels tend to be clean and foreigner-friendly. For those interested in quality authentic Chinese food, here are a few reliable restaurants and the types of cuisine that they serve: South Beauty (Sichuan food), Kung Yi Ji (Shanghainese food), Duck King (Peking duck, but beware of the difficult-to-understand menu), Shang Palace at the Shangri La Hotel (Cantonese food), and Made In China at the Grand Hyatt (Peking duck with English menus).

What to do: First-time visitors should make an effort to visit the Great Wall, Summer Palace and Forbidden City. These three attractions are the best that Beijing has to offer. There are two other locations that many tourists put on their "places to see" list -- the two Ming Tombs and the Temple of Heaven -- but I wouldn't rush to see them. These sites are interesting, but not as impressive as the top three places that I just mentioned. The Ming Tombs and the Temple of Heaven are worth checking out, though, if you have an extra morning or afternoon to spare.

For those interested in Chinese contemporary art, be sure to make a trip to the galleries at Factory 798. Visitors interested in shopping can go to Dong Fang Xintiendi shopping mall near Wangfujing Road where you can find upscale merchandise and traditional Chinese souvenirs.

For more details on Robert's trips to Beijing and the stocks he's recommending in this region, please visit his China Strategy web site.