Originally posted by sandlot
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An entire group of Cub Scouts in uniform was kept outside and then barred from their expected opportunity to meet players on the field. They finally met some players who came up to join them in the stands and I guess they were pretty okay with that, but they had really been looking forward to going onto the field. How cool would that be for kids that age? But the Chinese security guys wanted everybody off the field except players before game time and so it was done. It will be a lot tighter for the Olympics, especially after the Tibet unrest.
I would strongly advise anyone going there to arrive at the Wukesong stadium well before of the game -- and I do mean well before . Just an estimate, but given current security concerns, I'd say no later than two hours before game time if you want to see the first inning. The stadium is located at the subway station of the same name on the east-west line. It's about 4-5 stops west of Tiananmen Square. There will probably be buses but given the traffic I'd avoid them. The subways can be very, very crowded and are often crammed full by the time they get anywhere near downtown, and I'm talking about ordinary non-Olympics times. It's about a 10-minute walk, assuming no large crowd in front of you, from the subway exit to the stadium. Be sure to take the exit that's marked for the stadium, because if you come up at the wrong exit the only way across the street without risking suicide is to go back down into the subway and convince the staff to let you go through the tunnel. I think it's exit B, though the signage isn't great.
If anyone's going to be there for all the games, consider buying a subway pass, not individual trip tickets (2 rmb each), so you can go through the electroinic turnstiles that are just being installed. This will save you considerable time in peak periods. There is only one entrance to the stadium grounds, so of course it's a bottleneck. They will inspect every bag and I don't know if they will allow water bottles inside -- I'm just guessing, but I doubt it. Drink up what you bring with you. Don't expect anyone inspecting you to speak a word of English. Smile and nod a lot. There is no afternoon sun in the stands behind home plate, and no shade in the bleachers at any time. The summer sun can be HOT and I'd recommend sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Beijing can also be quite dusty. There are no bad seats or blocked views, but the plastic seats in the bleachers are narrow for wide-bottomed foreigners. The only toilets are port-a-potties that you pass on the way in. Use them early as there aren't many for a 12,000-seat facility. Always carry plenty of tissue and sanitary handwipes with you.
If prices are the same, you'll pay 20 rmb (about $2.50) for a hot dog in the stands, same for a beer or coke. Water is 10 rmb. I would not advise carrying significant amounts of cash around in Beijing, and strongly suggest photocopying travel documents and carrying those. Leave valuables and original documents in a hotel safe desposit box, the one the cashier unlocks for you, not the one in your clothes closet. Also, look up the emergency phone number at whatever your national embassy is and carry it with you all the time. Hopefully you'll never need it.
Otherwise, enjoy the games!
I would strongly advise anyone going there to arrive at the Wukesong stadium well before of the game -- and I do mean well before . Just an estimate, but given current security concerns, I'd say no later than two hours before game time if you want to see the first inning. The stadium is located at the subway station of the same name on the east-west line. It's about 4-5 stops west of Tiananmen Square. There will probably be buses but given the traffic I'd avoid them. The subways can be very, very crowded and are often crammed full by the time they get anywhere near downtown, and I'm talking about ordinary non-Olympics times. It's about a 10-minute walk, assuming no large crowd in front of you, from the subway exit to the stadium. Be sure to take the exit that's marked for the stadium, because if you come up at the wrong exit the only way across the street without risking suicide is to go back down into the subway and convince the staff to let you go through the tunnel. I think it's exit B, though the signage isn't great.
If anyone's going to be there for all the games, consider buying a subway pass, not individual trip tickets (2 rmb each), so you can go through the electroinic turnstiles that are just being installed. This will save you considerable time in peak periods. There is only one entrance to the stadium grounds, so of course it's a bottleneck. They will inspect every bag and I don't know if they will allow water bottles inside -- I'm just guessing, but I doubt it. Drink up what you bring with you. Don't expect anyone inspecting you to speak a word of English. Smile and nod a lot. There is no afternoon sun in the stands behind home plate, and no shade in the bleachers at any time. The summer sun can be HOT and I'd recommend sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Beijing can also be quite dusty. There are no bad seats or blocked views, but the plastic seats in the bleachers are narrow for wide-bottomed foreigners. The only toilets are port-a-potties that you pass on the way in. Use them early as there aren't many for a 12,000-seat facility. Always carry plenty of tissue and sanitary handwipes with you.
If prices are the same, you'll pay 20 rmb (about $2.50) for a hot dog in the stands, same for a beer or coke. Water is 10 rmb. I would not advise carrying significant amounts of cash around in Beijing, and strongly suggest photocopying travel documents and carrying those. Leave valuables and original documents in a hotel safe desposit box, the one the cashier unlocks for you, not the one in your clothes closet. Also, look up the emergency phone number at whatever your national embassy is and carry it with you all the time. Hopefully you'll never need it.
Otherwise, enjoy the games!
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