[Christien]

It was one of the best trips of my life. We went in late winter (March, IIRC) and the temperature was quite nice - high teens/low 20s. The only downside is that was the time of year when the winds blew sand from the Gobi desert south into northern China. You literally couldn't see across the street in Beijing on some days - it was like the thickest fog you've ever seen. At first it's gross because you think it's pollution, but then you get used to it just being sand, and blow your nose a lot!

Avoid the public toilet in the market in Beijing. Trust me. There's a nice hotel with public bathrooms just down the street.