Once in Beijing, taxis are a cheap way to get around. Make sure you have your destination and hotel written in Chinese characters because most drivers don't speak English. Hotels catering to Western tourists are also helpful in setting up longer excursions. Food varies from roasted pigeons sold by street vendors to a five-star Peking duck restaurant that former President George Bush visited. We played it safe and stuck to hotel restaurants, American fast-food joints, and grocery stores.
Bottled water is a necessity.
Human and animal wastes are often used as fertilizer. Bring your own toilet paper. Beijing's public toilets are often no more than a hole in the ground. A liquid antibacterial hand cleanser also is a good idea. We welcome your feedback.