How to score Olympic tickets

Now is the time to act if you want to be one of the lucky ones to witness the opening of the Olympics at China National Stadium on the evening of August 8, 2008. The first phase of ticket reservation for the Beijing Olympics started on April 15. More than 7 million tickets were opened for sale to the public, 75 percent of which will be sold in China, and 25 percent overseas.

It was reported that on that first day, more than 50,000 people submitted ordering forms successfully on the official website www.tickets.beijing2008.cn, placing orders for 250,000 tickets. The website received 18 million person/time visits in two days.

Luckily, everybody is likely to have the same chance to the most popular tickets if applying before the first phase ends on June 30, 2007. A computer-operated draw will determine who gets tickets for oversubscribed events.

So you still have two months' time to get a chance to enter the draw. And who knows, maybe you can get your tickets directly if the ones you book are not oversubscribed.

Who can buy tickets

*If you live outside China, or are traveling briefly in the country, you will probably need to buy your ticket at your country's National Olympic Committee.

*If you are a foreign expat in China, and want to buy Olympic tickets here, you need to: first, have established domicile in the territory of PRC (except Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan Province), second, possess a valid passport, with a Chinese visa valid for six months or more.

*Citizens in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan need to order tickets from their regional Olympic Committee or sports federations.

*These limitations are only for the reservation period. When tickets are available at the ticket booths at Olympic venues (a week before the Game starts), anyone can buy them on the spot.

How to buy tickets

In the first phase until June 30, people can log onto the official website, or fill in an application form at the Bank of China, or send their application form, which can be downloaded from the website, to Beijing 100007 mail box, 98 sub-box, Post code 100007 (10000798,100007).

The result of the 1st phase of ticket reservation will be revealed from July-September 2007.

Starting the 2nd phase, lasting from October-December 2007, tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. People can also book tickets in this stage from Olympic Call Center: 86-10-952008.

The 3rd phase lasts from April 2008 until the Games end. Besides the above-mentioned ways, people can also buy tickets at the competing venues directly a week before the Games start.

Other must-knows

*The number of tickets one can buy for each game or match is limited. For example, one person can only buy one ticket for the opening ceremony, two tickets for the more popular events, and 3-5 tickets for events with less demand.

*To buy a ticket in China, one must have a Bank of China account, or a Visa card, two accepted methods of payment. Everybody must use their own bank account to buy their tickets. So you cannot buy a ticket to the opening ceremony with your bank account for anyone else.

*The name of the account holder of Bank of China or Visa card must correspond with whoever is claiming the tickets.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beijing's 798 Art District

Image
Beijing is a city of fifteen million and rapidly growing, but that alone does not explain its thriving visual arts scene: of the sheer number and diversity of artists currently working here. And where better to start than a look at Beijng’s 798 Art District? It’s an art scene on the move, and this is just one of a number of its lanes. It was just by chance that this modish pair flashed by as I was focusing on this sign, although I did react quickly! 798’s scale is better represented by this map. It’s located on what, a few years back, was Beijing’s eastern periphery: then a moribund factory area in the Dashanzi area and “798” refers to the designation of the original Bauhaus factory that became the first of the many galleries that have sprung up-40% in the last year alone. The almost completed subway line 10 will further increase the momentum-though not perhaps of the zone! There is so much to see here-and even newer art zones- that this is but the first of a series of articles. Enviro...
Read more

Back to the old days

Image
Commuting around a big city, you may get lost in the bustling crowds or the sky-high buildings. But if you stop for a moment and take a look around, you may still be able to find some quiet places with old phoenix trees, crusted glazed tiles and skilled craftsmen. Then you can be taken back in time to the old days. Beijing Shishahai When you think of Shishahai, the first thing that comes to mind is Gongwangfu. As the biggest siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) in the world, Gongwangfu was once the residence for the royal children during the Qing dynasty. So it is not difficult to imagine how grand and gorgeous this place is. Touring this old house, you may also feel you have become a member of this big family. Shishahai is also a cozy place to wander around. There are many old lanes in which people can walk without worrying about the busy traffic. If you feel tired you also can call for a tricycle to take you for a tour. Another place worth checking out is Yandai Sideling Avenue. Th...
Read more

How To Use Chopsticks

Image
　　You really have to master the art of using chopsticks if you visit China. In every restaurant, you will be provided with chopsticks instead of forks and knives. Don‘t be frightened. They are easy to use. Use your thumb and the fourth finger to grip one stick and your forefinger and middle finger to grip and control the other stick. After practicing a while, you will be able to pick up pieces of food. If you are able to pick up a bean with chopsticks, this means that you have "graduated". If you cannot use them, you can always ask for fork and knife in a tourist restaurant. But in ordinary restaurants, you may be told that they do not have them. If you are worried about it, take your own small folk with you.
Read more