Traveling Out of Beijing for APEC? Leave Early

For those of you heading elsewhere for the unexpected five-day holiday that is the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, here's a piece of advice: leave early. That doesn't mean catch a flight Thursday night, although that's even better. Expect big crowds and significant delays, as a higher than average number of passengers receive thorough security scans, at both airports and train stations.

This is a column about travel, but as we are inclined to recommend with all of China's shorter holidays: stay in Beijing. No, really. Stay in Beijing. This isn't some hotel staycation come-on, although that is an option. This is Beijing at its best: little traffic, blue skies, crisp autumn weather. It's unlike the October holiday, where Beijingers head for the hills (and beaches), and a bunch of out-of-towners clog up Wangfujing. This is Beijing for the Beijingers. Many people will head out of town, but won't be replaced by throngs of tourists. Stay in Beijing. Please.

Not fazed by the temporary suspension of foreign tours to North Korea, our friends at Koryo Tours are saddling up for Mongolia. Their "Land of the Winter Horse" tour will be a real-life horse round-up in the Mongolia countryside, from November 18-22. Sleep in a ger, ride a horse, round up other horses. Sounds cool. More on that here.

Hainan Airlines, which we have mentioned ad nauseum here, is hiring international flight attendants, both male and female. One must be fluent in English in order to apply. For your chance, send a CV to hnair@vip.chinahr.com.

Photo: Bloomberg