How well is Beijing, China prepared for the coming Summer Olympics 2008?

Beijing Summer Olympics is due to start on 8 August 2008. The time is now 8 June 2008, two months before the Summer Olympics is due to start. Is Beijing ready for the Olympics? Are the sports infrastructure ready? Are the people ready? Will public services be overwhelmed? We give you the latest updates!

Welcome to Summer Olympics 2008 City, Beijing, China!

Watchful security

We are just two months (June 2008) away from the 8 August 2008 Summer Olympics - is Beijing ready? We evaluate Beijing and mark the score of how they stack up!

Beijing Airport: A

The world's largest airport terminal - Terminal 3, Beijing Airport - was launched into service two weeks ago.

This new termial raises Beijing airport passenger and cargo load capcity tremendously and despite it's large size, went into service smoothly. This is unlike the chaotic situation seen recently in new terminal or airport launches such as Heathrow airport, KL airport or the Bangkok airport.

Custom clearance is now very fast and custom and border officers are now much more polite and helpful. Luggage clearance is very fast and there are orderly shuttle buses and taxi lines. Information counters and airport guides abound for anyone who needs help in the new and spacious Beijing airport.

Olympic Infrastructure: ?

Seven major stadiums has been allocated for the Olympics including 2 major new stadiums near the Olympic Village. The new stadiums - the major stadium and aquatic stadium are near completion and final touching work are in smooth progress. Trials are already taking place in these stadiums.

The atheletes village and the Olympic hotels are also nearing completion and final works are in smooth progress. The highway leading to the Olympic village were completed earlier and traffic is smooth all around the village.

New hotels has been put into service and older hotels renovated to cater to Olympic visitors. Unfortunately, room rates has also been raised accordingly!

Pollution: C-

At this point of time, Beijing remain somewhat hazy and visibility remain moderate, despite major efforts to control pollution and the sand shifting conditions in the deserts near Beijing.

Older vehicles that contribute to pollution has been pulled off the streets and industries that pollute were either moved away or given severe restrictions.

Cleaning brigade in front of Tian AnMen	Strict traffic control

Traffic: C-

Beijing traffic has been in gridlock in recent years. New ring highways has been built and two new subway lines has been thrown into service relieving the heavy traffic somewhat.

Traffic police and wardens presence is obvious in many large and major intersections to ensure traffic move smoothly. Special bus and subway lines has been put into service for visitors to the Olympics.

Public Security: A-

Many of Beijing major tourist sites were filled with persistent beggars, touts and street peddlars previously. Today, it is safe to walk anywhere in these major tourist sites without being harrased bu anyone.

As a foreigner who was always harrased when walking in Beijing, it is now a major comfort and relief that no-one is blocking your way anymore to beg or tout for money or business!

Public Hygiene: A-

Some of the major criticism of Beijing has been poor hygiene conditions including poor toilet facilities, public spitting and littering.

You will now hardly find litterbugs and spitters on the road. Major tourist sites has been cleaned and public toilets are easily found and are well-maintained and clean. Rubbish bins are now easily available and street cleaners are hard at work every hour of the day.

Strict non-smoking rules has been implemented into public places such as transportation stations, hotels, shopping malls and non-smoking zones is now available in restaurants and cafes.

Clean public toilets everywhere	Safe and clean tourist areas

Public signboards and English: B-

The signboards in major tourists sites has been fixed with proper English. New infrastructure such as the airport, stadiums and hotels are now using proper English in their signboards and will hopefully lessen confusion.

Information counters in hotels, airports, stadiums, shopping malls, exhibition centres are now manned by eager young students who are extremely eager to help and who speak basic English.

Airport custom officers, tour-guides, hotel receptionists and cafe waitresses also understand basic English and there is always some-one who speak decent English available.

However, taxi drivers will still have problem understanding English and it is always advisable that you carry your hotel or destination name in Chinese so that they will be able to bring you where you want.

You are also likely to face language problems with sales assistants, subway wardens, Chinese restaurants waitresses and the general public.

Overall Score: B

Is Beijing prepared and ready for the Summer Olympics 2008? Well, I am prepared to give them a B score for where I think they are at this moment but definitely a A+ for their tremendous effort!

If you are going to Beijing for the Summer Olympics, be assured that much time, money, effort and energy has gone into preparing the city for your visit. I certainly hope you have a great time in Beijing for the Olympics!