Lao She Teahouse (3 Qianmenxi Dajie) is a cultural institution. It is more than a spacious, atmospheric teahouse; at least, it is when Beijing’s finest singers come around to perform selections from the classics of Beijing-style opera.

The venue is named after Lao She, a Chinese writer who penned a famous play called, Teahouse (Mandarin Chinese: Cha Guan). Lao She’s Teahouse is an attempt to recreate the classic Chinese social sites that are celebrated in the play.

Lao She died during the Cultural Revolution. He might have been murdered or driven to suicide because of the anti-literary sentiment in 1960s China. However, today he is celebrated as one of China’s greatest authors and dramatists.

However, this teahouse has taken on a life of its own. The acoustics, spacious seating area, and lighting make it an intimate performance space. Beijing opera is a unique performance art that is not at all like its European counterparts.

There is also food and drink at Lao She’s. The main item on the menu is, of course, tea. There are also plenty of snacks and tasty treats. Steamed dumplings (Baozi), dates, and a variety of authentic pastries are favorites.

Opera performances take place in the evenings. Check the website www.laosheteahouse.com (requires Flash player) for exact times. It will surely be quite crowded during the Games.

The owner of Lao She’s Teahouse is friends with some of China’s best contemporary painters, including Qi Baishi, whose likeness is displayed alongside Lao She’s inside the restaurant. Aside from opera singers, comedians, jugglers, acrobats, and contemporary music sometimes take the onstage.

There is a display room off the main dining area. Kites, jade carvings, and other crafts are displayed inside.

There are many reasons to visit Lao She’s. Sure, the opera performances are a big draw, but other performances, art, and atmosphere also make this a worthwhile visit.

Even “budget” hotels will be raising their rates during the Olympics. With most of their four and five star brethren near capacity already, sleeping venues at the lower end of the hotel price spectrum are set for an influx of visitors.

As anyone who has traveled on a budget knows, finding accommodation that is both good and cheap can be tricky, even if your standards aren’t very high.

Here are a few hotels/guesthouses that earn high marks for quality and service despite their reasonable prices.

1. Youth Hostels are scattered throughout the city. Leo’s Hostel (Tie Shu Xie Jie) is known for its lively scene. The rooms are Spartan, to be sure, but the bar is lively, and any place that has a Playstation in the lobby can’t be all that bad. Beijing City Central Youth Hostel is the cleanest, most convenient (in terms of location and sevice), and most popular hostel in town. There is a 24-hour convenience store, internet access, and an English speaking staff.

2. Experience life in Beijing’s famous Hutong (networks of alleyways) at Beijing Houhai Courtyard (Sanbulao Hutong). Single rooms only cost 15 bucks (non-Olympic rates), with shared rooms going even more cheaply. The guesthouse offers tea in the courtyard, tours of the surrounding area, and bicycle rental.

3. Another hutong hotel is Beijing Join Inn (Qinmao Hutong, just off Zhaodengyu Ave). It is a rarity in Beijing for more than its clever name. Located in the hutong, but near a main road and a subway station, it offers proximity to both old and new Beijing. Where else can you find both a McDonald’s and a hutong noodle stall within walking distance?
Even though many budget travelers prefer to shoot from the hip and not book in advance, booking before the Olympics is a must. Beijing City Central Youth Hostel is the most coveted spot. It will undoubtedly be filled to capacity for the duration of the games. So booking early is a necessity.

Head to a traditional internet ticket broker and you’ll find airfare between the U.S. and Beijing at double or triple usual prices. With hundreds of thousands of visitors on the way to China’s capital city for the Olympics, airlines and travel companies are doing their best to turn a strong profit.

Luckily, for those who balk at throwing down $5,000 for airfare, there are alternatives.

1. Take advantage of multiple destination specials to get in through Beijing’s back door. Cathay Pacific, for example, offers a special called The All Asia Pass. It features airfare from LAX or SFO to Hong Kong, followed by flights to as many as four more “major” destinations, including Beijing. The cost is around $1,500, a fair amount below the price tag of a flight directly to Beijing.

2. Some companies offer Round the World Packages. Again, these are usually unnecessary for people heading to a single destination, but the price beats the inflated Olympic airfares hands down. A four-destination ticket, say from JFK to Beijing to Dubai to London and back to JFK will run about $1,800. Some companies specialize in this kind of ticket and offer regional options similar to Cathay Pacific (in #1) for $1,200 -$1,500. These packages can be marginally pricier during the summer season.

3. Tickets to other Chinese cities remain reasonable. Flying into Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Guangzhou can be accomplished for under $1,000. Once inside the country, trains or domestic flights will lead to an overall savings over a direct flight from the US to Beijing.

4. Plan a cruise during the Olympics. Shanghai has a brand new cruise port and high-speed rail connects China’s richest city with Beijing. This is probably not the most convenient approach, but might allow you to get into Beijing without spending your life savings.