As expensive as it can get

How expensive is the rent during the Olympics months in Beijing this summer? A two-room apartment of about 115 square meters, which is not more than half-a-hour walk from the major Olympic venues, will cost RMB14,500 in monthly rent, according to reports. The apartment’s current monthly rent is only RMB3,000.

In China, there is a special name for apartments like this - they call it “Olympic housing”. It refers to apartments near major Olympic venues, fully equipped with electrical appliances and furniture, and new - completed after year 2000. It is predicted that the rent will start to climb from May, culminating in August when the Games are held.

Hotel price, predictably, will also go up by four to six times over the same period. So if you plan to go to Beijing to watch the Olympics, plan for the accommodation now.

You can find websites devoted to housing/accommodation service during the Beijing Olympics, such as this one. Sorry, though, it is in Chinese language only.