Post-Olympic Travel Bargains

Now that the Olympic torch has been extinguished, those eager to see the sights and sounds of China can take advantage of some gold-medal travel deals.

"Beijing has really redone itself in ways that will continue to benefit travelers," says Pauline Frommer, author of the Pauline Frommer's Travel Guides series from travel guide publishers Frommer's. To prepare for the Summer Games, the city built nearly 1,000 new hotels, many ranking four or five stars. It also opened the swanky new Legation Quarter (formerly the Qing Dynasty-era American Embassy compound), which is home to luxury restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs, and expanded its subway service, making attractions such as the suburban-based Summer Palace more readily accessible. And to help prevent all of its anticipated visitors from getting lost, it posted English-language signs throughout the city.

But probably the biggest lure for prospective travelers is its fire-sale prices. "[The Chinese yuan] is still so weak, just 6.5 to $1 U.S.," says Frommer, who just returned from Beijing. "I don't think I once spent more than $5 on dinner."

The deals have only gotten better since the closing ceremonies. Here are some of the Post-Olympic discounts travelers can expect:

Even during the Olympics, few hotels were fully booked. Tourists occupied just 77.6% of the city's 22,300 five-star hotel rooms, and 45.5% of its 34,500 four-star hotel rooms, according to the Beijing Tourism Administration. As a result, many hotels have dropped their rates by 65% to 75% since the Summer Games ended. The average five-star room now costs less than $200 a night, reports Ctrip.com, a China-based travel site. Don't need to go that high-end? Then try the four-star Phoenix Grand Hotel, which is now charging just $74 per night, down from $369 during the Olympics, for a room with one king-size bed and free Internet access.

Even big-name international chains are slashing prices, says Frommer. During the month of September, the new five-star Regent Beijing, for example, is offering 30% off a stay of four nights or more in September to those who book via Expedia.com (EXPE). That knocks the price for an executive room (king bed, city views, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TV) to $210 per night from $299.

Don't feel like doing too much of the legwork when it comes to organizing your trip? You're in luck. International tour companies are offering some of the best deals in China, says Doug Stallings, senior editor for travel guide publisher Fodor's. Anticipating increased tourist interest due to the Olympics, most took pains in 2007 to pre-purchase airfare and hotel rates through early 2009. "They were able to lock in good airfare before things went crazy with higher oil prices," he says. Booking China Spree's $1,894 "12 Days China Delight" tour with airfare (and fuel surcharges) from New York for Jan. 1-12, for example, is $215 cheaper than reserving its land-tour-only portion ($999, plus $44 in fees) and independently buying the cheapest airfare available ($1069.40 via Air Canada).

Deals can also be had on soon-to-depart tours as operators scramble to fill remaining spots. Intrepid Travel is currently offering a 20% discount on its 14-day "Best of China" tour leaving on Sept. 14, knocking the price to $1,040 from the regular $1,300.

Before you book, read reviews and carefully compare what's included in each package, cautions Anne Banas, executive editor for travel advice site SmarterTravel.com. What seems like a cheaper tour now could cost more if you're shelling out cash daily for meals and optional excursions to popular tourist attractions like Beijing's Summer Palace.

Here are some of the current deals that Frommer, Stallings and Banas suggest:

* Data from individual tour operators.