Correspondents: Beijing's Hustle n' Bustle

Story and Photos by Dr. Michael Siebert

When visiting China one must see Beijing. All the hustle and bustle might scare you at first, but most end up diving in for more.

If you like shopping, for example, consider the Hong Qiao Perle Market. It's mostly for tourists -- this is not where the locals shop -- but is enjoyable just to see all the recent Apple iPhone knock-offs (ranging in price from 150-250 USD depending upon who you bargaining with at the kiosk.)

Upon entering the kiosk for cell phones I was accosted by a girl pushing the latest Nokia phone and boy, was she pushy! A few kiosks down I found the same phone for significantly less. One bargains for anything in China.

 Wang Fujing street will give you the feeling that you are in Times Square in a much newer NYC. A not-to-be-missed experience is the street that intersects Wang Fujing, which is full of vendors selling anything on a stick.

Here is a brief summary: Dog, ostrich, fried silk worms, grasshopper, fried sheep kidney, beetles, centipede, snake, sheep penis, and let's not forget goat testicles. Although the tasty delights didn't quite grab me, the displays and attention to detail are impressive. One American was caught eating fried silk worms, but he was young and obviously backpacking around the world.

If you want to dance all night hit Destination located on Gonti West Road. Destination is the premier gay club in Beijing and Miami DJ, Tracy Young, was just there in December 2008.

Dr. Michael Siebert is part of OutTraveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.

Story and Photos by Dr. Michael Siebert

When visiting China one must see Beijing. All the hustle and bustle might scare you at first, but most end up diving in for more.

If you like shopping, for example, consider the Hong Qiao Perle Market. It's mostly for tourists -- this is not where the locals shop -- but is enjoyable just to see all the recent Apple iPhone knock-offs (ranging in price from 150-250 USD depending upon who you bargaining with at the kiosk.)

Upon entering the kiosk for cell phones I was accosted by a girl pushing the latest Nokia phone and boy, was she pushy! A few kiosks down I found the same phone for significantly less. One bargains for anything in China.

 Wang Fujing street will give you the feeling that you are in Times Square in a much newer NYC. A not-to-be-missed experience is the street that intersects Wang Fujing, which is full of vendors selling anything on a stick.

Here is a brief summary: Dog, ostrich, fried silk worms, grasshopper, fried sheep kidney, beetles, centipede, snake, sheep penis, and let's not forget goat testicles. Although the tasty delights didn't quite grab me, the displays and attention to detail are impressive. One American was caught eating fried silk worms, but he was young and obviously backpacking around the world.

If you want to dance all night hit Destination located on Gonti West Road. Destination is the premier gay club in Beijing and Miami DJ, Tracy Young, was just there in December 2008.

Dr. Michael Siebert is part of OutTraveler.com's international team of Correspondents, reporting from around the world on items of LGBT travel interest. If you would like to become a Correspondent, e-mail us here after checking out our guidelines.