Beijing Insight Out

BEIJING INSIGHT OUT

The first fundraising Beijing sightseeing walking tour for Queers and Allies! (Ally = someone supportive of the gay community/gay-friendly)

So you’ve been in Beijing for a while, but all you’ve seen so far is the Forbidden City? And that’s just because you thought it was some kind of Red Light District? Or you’re persuaded there’s not much queer life beyond dinners, drinks and dances? Well it is time to finally broaden your horizons and enjoy the coming warm spring days with something different. Join us for the very first fundraising Beijing sightseeing walking tour for Queers and Allies. A chance to explore known and lesser known places in the big city, and share a day out with a lively bunch of queer folk for a good cause! A professional English speaking guide will lead us along routes, old and new, giving us the chance to discover some still *closeted* corners of our capital.

The itinerary will be as follows: • Dongbianmen Tower • Red Gate Gallery • Ming Wall remains • Dongdan Park (self catered lunch break) • Dong Jiao Min Xiang (old legation quarter) – St. Michael’s church • Police Museum (entrance not included: 5 RMB) • Qian Men: the Gate and the Archery Tower • Dashilar old commercial street: stories about Chinese arts and crafts (no, there won’t be any “encouraged” shopping!) • Xianyu Kou Food Street: stories about all those weird Chinese snacks (no, there won’t be any “encouraged” eating!) …and then? Then you can head home via the subway at Qianmen, or we can find a spot to extend our gathering later in the night!

THE BASIC INFO

When: Sunday, April 21st. Meeting at 10.45, leaving at 11.00am (plenty of time to recover from that Saturday hangover)

Where: Jianguomen subway station, exit D (south west)

What if: very bad weather/rain/Mongolian sand tornados are expected? Then we’ll reschedule and if the date does not suit you, you will have your money back. But if the sky is simply grey that won’t count – you know that is just the standard Beijing colour.

How long and how far: we expect to be done by 6.30 ish in the evening. The itinerary is about 5 -6 km long (but you know it’s all flat and it’s all good for your body and soul). And you’ll get some rest during the lunch break at Dongdan Park!

How many: a cosy bunch of around 20 people: queers and allies both welcome.

How much: the ticket is 100 RMB per person. It includes a professional English speaking guide who will provide explanations, stories and answers at each stop. It does not include the entrance to the Police Museum, but that one is very cheap. And it’s for a good cause: all proceeds will go to the Beijing LGBT center. That’s why it’s non-refundable: once you do a good deed why would you want to take it back? Anyway, if anything comes up, you can still re-sell or give it out as a nice gift (if so, please let me know).

To reserve your ticket, please send an email to leery78@hotmail.com . Hurry – tickets are limited!

Don’t forget: a self catered lunch, a pair of comfy shoes and your sunshine smile. Then, we’re all set for some good fun in great company.