Brian US Posted August 25, 2009 at 07:44 AM Report Posted August 25, 2009 at 07:44 AM Just got to BLCU yesterday. Spent one night in the conference center and went looking for dorms in the morning. When I went to dorm 2, per my admission notice, I think with my broken Chinese that they couldn't get me a room and I would have to go to the individual dorm to find out. I went straight to dorm 17 and they only have double rooms available, so I was just happy to get in. I havn't been to BLCU in two years and I have found there to be a lot of contruction. I guess the large building in the center of campus is for the new dining center. I am very happy with dorm 17 and would encourage anyone to spend the extra. Having a double helps with the wallet. You can check in early as my admission notice says not until the 26th and I was told it is 65 yuan a night for a double in 17.
XiaoBin Posted August 25, 2009 at 08:06 AM Report Posted August 25, 2009 at 08:06 AM Where the new building is used to be the auditorium, but it burned down in 2007. Now it's a new dining hall and multi purpose building I believe. Can't wait to see it.
wanderlust Posted August 25, 2009 at 12:14 PM Report Posted August 25, 2009 at 12:14 PM Hi Brian (Brian_US), got a couple of questions - do you mean to say you've booked a room in Dorm 17 and it is 65yuan per person per night? So if you don't have a roommate you'll pay (65*2)=130yuan a night? Or do you know if you just pay for yourself and they'll just put whoever signs up next in the room with you. I'm thinking between Dorm 17 or the International Students Center, but I won't get to Beijing til early Sept though. Thanks!
Brian US Posted August 25, 2009 at 03:49 PM Report Posted August 25, 2009 at 03:49 PM Hi Wanderlust, I have booked a double room at dorm 17. I was told it is 65 yuan a day and I have several days to pay in cash only. I believe you pay for one semester at a time. I assume it is for one person and the total room is 130 yuan for both students. I went in blind and the front desk asked if I had a preference if I wanted a Korean/Japanese roommate. My new roommate has already been in our room for over a year.
matt79 Posted August 26, 2009 at 03:41 AM Report Posted August 26, 2009 at 03:41 AM Brian - did you book that night at the conference center in advance? Has anyone successfully booked a semester in the conference center for this fall? And if so, by tele or fax? thanks
XiaoBin Posted August 27, 2009 at 08:16 AM Report Posted August 27, 2009 at 08:16 AM I've stayed in the conference center for 1 semester in 2007. You can book the conference center by calling them, or let someone go there and book it for you. You will need to speak chinese, the front desk won't be able to speak english. Be sure to mention how many days you want to stay. From what I understand is, that they have seperate rooms for long term stay and short stay. Rooms for long term stay might not always be avalible, as they are booked fast. This is because the conference center is the only on campus accomedation you can book in advance. The fees will go down if you stay longer. For more info about the conference center http://www.blcu.edu.cn/conference/kfjsh.html#2 Hmmm the picture up top is a single room. At the bottom of the page there are 2 pictures that say single room, but I believe these are the double rooms.
matt79 Posted August 28, 2009 at 12:17 PM Report Posted August 28, 2009 at 12:17 PM thanks for the info. i actually tried calling before i received your response and found out pretty quick that english wasn't going to fly. but other than knowing a few hundred characters i'm about as basic as you are going to find so that conversation didn't go anywhere. i'll give it a shot in person when i'm there, i guess worst case scenario is i end up in a crappy dorm, which might actually make me focus on learning more
XiaoBin Posted August 28, 2009 at 09:30 PM Report Posted August 28, 2009 at 09:30 PM Don't worry about it too much, i'm sure you'll be fine. Dorm 4 isn't that bad aswell. If you need help trying to explain, to the front desk at the conference center, that you want to book a room, let me know. I'm sure you'll be fine tho. But for emergencies, I'll be in BJ from sept 9
skip2myli Posted August 31, 2009 at 08:42 AM Report Posted August 31, 2009 at 08:42 AM does anyone here know the room situation in dorm 17? I called them on friday and they said they had double rooms available and that i should fax over my passport. but i forgot the fax number so called them again today and now they say the have no more rooms available??!! is this true or are they just pulling their usual "dorm 17 has no rooms but if u bug us enough a room will magically appear" routine?
XiaoBin Posted August 31, 2009 at 09:35 AM Report Posted August 31, 2009 at 09:35 AM As far as I know, you cannot reserve any of the dorms in advance. Only the conference center since it is not really a dorm.
ifinale Posted September 2, 2009 at 11:36 AM Report Posted September 2, 2009 at 11:36 AM I rang up the conference centre today and managed to reserve a room at 125RMB per night for 90 days (since I'm there for the 3 months program) All they asked for was my name and the day I was moving in, and that was it. I asked the lady if I was guaranteed a room upon arrival since I made this reservation and she said so. But do you guys think this is a little bit too simple, i.e. no deposit required? Do I run the risk of not getting my room as stated when I arrive? Thanks guys.
XiaoBin Posted September 2, 2009 at 12:21 PM Report Posted September 2, 2009 at 12:21 PM Never had trouble with it before. It sounds shabby, I know, but my experience is that it will be reserved. Wouldn't worry too much about it.
ifinale Posted September 2, 2009 at 04:01 PM Report Posted September 2, 2009 at 04:01 PM thanks for the reply xiaobin, that's very reassuring! how would you rate the normal single rooms for the conference centre? cos there's only one pic on the website... i'm sure they're more than acceptable right? with regards to BLCU accommodation, would you suggest single or double housing?
XiaoBin Posted September 2, 2009 at 04:12 PM Report Posted September 2, 2009 at 04:12 PM For a better view of the conference center click on the link below. I posted this in "Who's going to BLCU for full year program in Fall 2009?". Be sure to go trough the forums before asking questions ;) I stayed in the conference center before, never in dorm 17. I can only give you answers based on what i heard from my friends about dorm 17. From what I understand is that utilities are included. If you have a phone on your room, you will most prob have to buy a phonecard. Dorm 17 has a laundery room and kitchen. Some guy made a youtube clip about conference center vs dorm 17 It will give you a good view of dorm 17. Dorm 17 is very popular so be quick. The conference center is more then okay. Very clean, and a cleaning lady will come by daily. She'll clean the bathroom and make your bed. Regarding to single or double... It both has pro and cons. Double is good, so that you will get to know ppl. But then you have the risk ending up with a room mate you can't get along with. Either way is fine i think.
xpjane Posted September 3, 2009 at 03:54 AM Report Posted September 3, 2009 at 03:54 AM I just called to reserve a room today and also got a single room for 125rmb. I really wanted a double room but were all booked. So I tried to ask the woman which dorm building that was and she refused to tell me which I thought was weird. All she asked for was my name and dates I was staying. I'll be in BLCU this sept 15 staying for 3 months. I'll be coming by myself and don't speak a word of Chinese. Does anyone think chances are high of double rooms opening up soon?
XiaoBin Posted September 3, 2009 at 07:45 AM Report Posted September 3, 2009 at 07:45 AM Who did you call? If you called the conference center: they don't have double rooms for long term stay (if i'm not mistaken) If you reserved a dorm, I don't think you can reserve in advance. Judging on the rate of 125/day I assume you called the conference center. Double check if you called the phone number on the conference center website. For more info about the conference center http://www.blcu.edu.cn/conference/kfjsh.html#2 If you really want a double room, you can look for dorms once you arrive. I believe you can cancel you stay at the conference center at any moment. They price will go up since you didn't stay 90 days.
xpjane Posted September 3, 2009 at 11:42 PM Report Posted September 3, 2009 at 11:42 PM Yep turns out I did call the conference center. Do you know if they accept cash? USD?
XiaoBin Posted September 4, 2009 at 06:58 AM Report Posted September 4, 2009 at 06:58 AM Cash yes, USD not sure. You can exchange your USD for RMB at ICBC on campus or at the Bank of China (about 10 min walking). They will ask you to pay 3 days first. After that you have to pay for your full stay.
ifinale Posted September 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM Report Posted September 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM a fairly random question: i ended up getting a single room @ the conference center. i understand that there's a fridge inside my room, so i suppose that there would be a central kitchen/laundry room? with regards to the washing machines, are there dryers available? or do you just hang dry your clothes inside your wardrobe in your room?
Brian US Posted September 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM Report Posted September 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM The fridge is small (about size of any hotel room fridge). Each floor does have laundry, including a dryer. I don't recall seeing a kitchen area like some of the dorms, but I could be wrong. I do enjoy the breakfast buffet downstairs for 10 kuai. They never change it, so you may want to switch it up.
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