I traveled most part of Asia the backpacking style with another loner friend, actually, we would like to travel on our own, but everyone told us it's not safe to do so.
Lee, have you ever been to Mongolia? How about Beijing? We have a 20 hour layover in Beijing so we're hoping to get Chinese visas in Mongolia so we can leave the airport.
No to Mongolia.
Beijing yes. But it was more than 10 years ago, Beijing has changed so much in the last decade, I don't think I can recognize her if I visit again. In early 90s, it's hard to find public washroom and there are no doors to the washrooms! We used an umbrella to cover when we used the washrooms, but the local women didn't!
My parents went to Beijing 3 years ago and last year again, things have changed so much even within the last three years. Beijing is quite modern now, I don't think you would have problem traveling around. Just try not to arrive or visit during major Chinese holidays, half of the people will be on the roads and the crowds at the airports/train/bus stations can be crazy!
Yeah, I think they changed a lot for the olympics. I hope that July 8-9 are not holidays!
A place to debate everything and anything!