I'm visiting Beijing the coming week for a conference at Tsinghua University, and wonder if anyone knows of any nice places where I could lindy hop. I found Swing Beijing that has a social dance on Monday, and that is not too far away from where I'm staying, it seems.
Also, since I don't know Chinese, does anyone know how difficult it is to use the subway in Beijing if you don't know the language?
Originally posted Wednesday, July 28, 2010 (1 year ago)
can't answer your questions, but I imagine since a lot of non chinese people visit Beijing, they probably have signs in multiple languages on the subway.
I've met really fantastic dancers from there, so I'm sure there will be some good dancing for you! If you can't contact anyone before you go, pm me and I can put you in touch with someone who used to be an organizer and teacher there but I think has since returned to the US....
follow my adventures at www.AppalachianToAlpine.blogspot.com!
Originally posted Wednesday, July 28, 2010 (1 year ago)
Edited on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 5:09 pm (1 year ago)
Have one of the people running the conference you are attending help you out with subway directions. There should be at least one English-speaking staff person at the welcome desk where you register whose only job is to help out disoriented foreigners.
If all else fails, use a taxicab. They are much cheaper in China than in the U.S. and language should not be a problem if you: 1) have a printed card or flier with the address of the place you are staying at (written in Chinese) on it (so you can get back) and 2) have a flier with the name and address of the place where the dance is happening (also in Chinese - generally a printout of the web page for the dance and/or venue will work for this).
Have a great time at the dance!
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Originally posted Thursday, July 29, 2010 (1 year ago)
Thanks fiddletree and Racetrack! I guess I'll go there by subway and back by taxicab, since the subway closes quite early. I also managed to find better directions for how to find the place. Now I only need to find a colleague that can be convinced to join me; I don't really like to walk around in a large unknown foreign city alone, at night.
Well, at least if you end up having to walk around in an unknown foreign city at night, it will be in China where such things are generally a bit less dicey than most other places (like the U.S.).
Still, keep your big city street smarts on anyway. Be especially careful of pickpockets - especially on the subway. (Inside pockets (as inside as possible) are especially useful for really important things like money, credit cards, passport, etc. These guys generally go for the low hanging fruit, so anything you do that makes you more of a challenge will most likely keep your possessions safe. :) )
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Originally posted Thursday, July 29, 2010 (1 year ago)
Hi antubis, I spent some time dancing in Beijing last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also took the subway there and a taxi back and had no troubles. The subway is remarkably easy to use; I found the design more understandable than any US subways I've ridden. When I went they also had a Friday night dance, but that may have gone away.
Also, I went by myself and never felt uncomfortable or in danger.
Originally posted Friday, August 27, 2010 (1 year ago)
Guess it's a bit late, but I organize swing classes and events in Beijing. If you're ever back over this way, do let us know! We also have the Great Wall Swingout coming up this April where we go and dance on the Great Wall (and other stuff of course).
Dancing in Beijing
Hi Yehoodi!
I'm visiting Beijing the coming week for a conference at Tsinghua University, and wonder if anyone knows of any nice places where I could lindy hop. I found Swing Beijing that has a social dance on Monday, and that is not too far away from where I'm staying, it seems.
Also, since I don't know Chinese, does anyone know how difficult it is to use the subway in Beijing if you don't know the language?
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can't answer your questions, but I imagine since a lot of non chinese people visit Beijing, they probably have signs in multiple languages on the subway.
I've met really fantastic dancers from there, so I'm sure there will be some good dancing for you! If you can't contact anyone before you go, pm me and I can put you in touch with someone who used to be an organizer and teacher there but I think has since returned to the US....
follow my adventures at www.AppalachianToAlpine.blogspot.com!
Have one of the people running the conference you are attending help you out with subway directions. There should be at least one English-speaking staff person at the welcome desk where you register whose only job is to help out disoriented foreigners.
If all else fails, use a taxicab. They are much cheaper in China than in the U.S. and language should not be a problem if you: 1) have a printed card or flier with the address of the place you are staying at (written in Chinese) on it (so you can get back) and 2) have a flier with the name and address of the place where the dance is happening (also in Chinese - generally a printout of the web page for the dance and/or venue will work for this).
Have a great time at the dance!
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Thanks fiddletree and Racetrack! I guess I'll go there by subway and back by taxicab, since the subway closes quite early. I also managed to find better directions for how to find the place. Now I only need to find a colleague that can be convinced to join me; I don't really like to walk around in a large unknown foreign city alone, at night.
Well, at least if you end up having to walk around in an unknown foreign city at night, it will be in China where such things are generally a bit less dicey than most other places (like the U.S.).
Still, keep your big city street smarts on anyway. Be especially careful of pickpockets - especially on the subway. (Inside pockets (as inside as possible) are especially useful for really important things like money, credit cards, passport, etc. These guys generally go for the low hanging fruit, so anything you do that makes you more of a challenge will most likely keep your possessions safe. :) )
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Hi antubis, I spent some time dancing in Beijing last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also took the subway there and a taxi back and had no troubles. The subway is remarkably easy to use; I found the design more understandable than any US subways I've ridden. When I went they also had a Friday night dance, but that may have gone away.
Also, I went by myself and never felt uncomfortable or in danger.
Guess it's a bit late, but I organize swing classes and events in Beijing. If you're ever back over this way, do let us know! We also have the Great Wall Swingout coming up this April where we go and dance on the Great Wall (and other stuff of course).
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