So kick back and let's explore the attractions near some of the Olympic venues.

It's not often an entire city gets a facelift. But hosting the Olympic Games is a task of epic proportions so Beijing devoted 7 years and $43 billion in changing the face of Beijing! And not just with immense Olympic structures like the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium but with everything that branched off from them. From immense structures like a new airport and subway lines extended to include 85 more miles to color accents like trees and flowers lining the streets...to the tune of 22 million trees and 40 million flower pots!

GETTING AROUND

So, how does one get around a city of 15 million people? Beijing wanted to ensure that visitors could find their way to the Olympic venues so getting around now will be much easier than it was before. Still, we recommend you start your vacation by booking an airport-to-hotel shuttle. That way, you can relax and enjoy your first introduction to Beijing and leave the driving in the capable hands of someone who knows the city well.

If you're planning to hit some of the rural areas outside of Beijing as one of the things to do, you'll probably want to rent a car but count on traffic delays. If you're a first time visitor, you might fare better using the subway system because all the signs are written in both English and Chinese. A good planning strategy is to take one subway line each day of your visit and make stops along the way.

STARTERS

After you've settled into your hotel & adjusted to the time difference, it's time for discovery. You'll want to hit the most famous attractions first:

Six miles from the Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium, sits the Forbidden City. For almost five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his household, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. The complex has 70 structures and more than 9000 rooms with a royal garden behind the palace.

The Forbidden City sits on the north side of Tiananmen Square, the largest public square on Earth, covering more than 100 acres. It's the founding site of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 and is considered the most iconic location in China.

MUSEUMS

Check out the route of the Olympic Subway Line and make stops along the way. Not only will you discover museums near the National Indoor Stadium, like the China National Film Museum, but also shops and restaurants within walking distance. The museum is an extensive 63-acre museum devoted to film. It houses an IMAX theater and numerous exhibition halls, with 20 hosting permanent collections. Detailing the work of 450 filmmakers, 1500 films, and 4300 stills, it actually offers more things to do than can be covered in one day.

PARKS AND GARDENS

Near the National Stadium, sits Bei Hai Park: Originally built in the days of Kublai Khan, this park was used for recreation by the emperors of post-Kublai Khan dynasties. Famous features include the Nine-Dragon Screen, the Five-Dragon Pavilion and the White Dagoba, a memorial to a visit by the Dalai Lama in 1651.

Another noteworthy park is Eight Sites Park, with the chance to see eight temples and pagodas along the path to the top of the hill.

For those interested in China's history, check out Stone Scripture Hill in the Shi Jing District. A total of more than 1000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures were carved and housed in the nine caves here in an attempt to preserve Buddhism when it was abolished the second time.

For months we've heard about Beijing, little tidbits to whet your appetite. Now it's burst upon the scene with pomp & circumstance, starting with the Opening Ceremony Extravaganza on 8-08-08. I have my feet planted firmly on California soil but will thoroughly enjoy visiting Beijing virtually. And come the day when I visit Beijing in person, I'll already have a good idea of all the things to do there.