Try to fly first class. Upgrade if you can, and failing that beg to get upgraded. Flights to Beijing are pretty unruly. Unruly in the sense that the toilets get lined up, and within a few hours look like a nightclub at 3AM.
I would stay away from China East Airlines. I flew them once, and It seemed like they just went out and bought a bunch of planes from 1985 and put them into service.
Air China is a good airline, Air Canada is much, much better with the lay flat seats.
Don't go to the zoo, unless you're into seeing animals that are severely mistreated and malnourished. Same with the Aquarium.
Eat your face off. Food is cheap as dirt outside of your hotel. A lot of the bigger hotels cater to westerners, so they have "western" buffets that are pricey. Walk across the street to a restaurant and get a 5 course meal for $12.
Go to silk street and fight with the rest of the tourists over knock offs. I only go to buy socks and underwear now (it really is a big building filled with junk) but it's worth a look.
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