China – Beijing, Ancient City Of Hopes

Home to 15 million, Beijing has for centuries been one of the world’s centers of culture. The land here has been occupied for over 3,000 years. As a result, visitors face the well-known traveler’s dilemma – too much to see with too little time – amplified many times over.

Here are just some highlights…

One of the most famous attractions is not even in the city itself, but about 60-125km (35-75 mi) outside it – the Great Wall. (The distance varies depending on the desired viewing location.)

To see one of the best preserved sections, visit Mutianyu. Though the wall was under construction for over 2,000 years, this 6th-century section was used as the northern barrier to defend the capital.

Not as old, but just as impressive a man-made achievement is the Imperial Palace, often referred to as the Forbidden City. So named because for centuries the common people were not allowed to freely enter. And sometimes wished they hadn’t gone when invited!

More than 9,000 rooms spread over 250 acres, it was first built in the 15th century and later renovated during the Qing dynasty in the 18th.

To get an excellent high view of the city itself, take a trip to Jingshan Park, built in 1179 AD. It looks out over the Forbidden City and features spectacular views of Beijing and the surroundings.

Constructed near the same time, in 1420 AD, the Temple of Heaven covers 270 acres and is the largest religious building in China. Today, thanks to the relaxing of religious repression, visitors can see this magnificent work of architecture and envision the train of emperors who have used it over the centuries.

Beijing has much more than religious temples, however, in which to find a peaceful atmosphere. The park at Yiheyuan is a 290-acre retreat, where visitors can wander through pavilions and over bridges near the enormous lake. Sit a while and sip tea at one of the many tea-houses there or stroll along one of the many tree-lined paths.

Most will want to visit the now-infamous Tiananmen Square, the largest open square in the world. It can easily accommodate over one million people, provided they don’t have to share space with tanks.

Be sure to take at least half a day and visit the equally famous Beijing Zoo. Home to nearly 600 species, the pandas may be the most well known, but they’re far from the most exotic. The over 6,000 animals housed there are drawn from all over the country and many parts of the world.

Spring or Fall is probably the best time to visit – Beijing can be quite cold in the winter and summers are often uncomfortably hot. But anytime of year you visit, there will be sites and sights galore worth seeing.

My Beijing Excursions – It’s More Than a Tour!

If you are looking for a China tour destination, consider Beijing, the capital of China. Depending on your interests, Beijing can be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic China food, and enjoy countless historical sights. This article presents my 4-day journey in Beijing:

We arrived Beijing airport at a sunset afternoon as scheduled. Our tour guide Tony, a humorous and kind man was waiting us then escorted us to Guangzhou Hotel, a four star hotel with nice service and facilities. Our first day at Beijing was saved to organize ourselves and get the things prepared.

Tiananmen Square is the first stop for day 2, the largest city square in the world. We walked through this vast square and headed to the big gate of Forbidden City. Why is it called Forbidden City? As for five hundred years (Ming and Qing Dynasty) ordinary people could not enter it.

Our Guide Tony told us that original palace buildings first built in 1406 so some of these structures are at least 600 years old. One fascinating detail that stuck in my mind is: There were about 1 million laborers & over 100 000 artisans/craftsmen being required to do the work. Seriously now, it is hard to calculate how much expense has poured into this huge project by a succession of Emperors.

While walking around the Forbidden City I tried to imagine the life of an emperor, surrounded by many eunuchs. The guide also told us the emperor had jade seals with names of his concubines. If he displayed one of the seals the eunuch on duty would bring the concubine immediately. She was brought naked (to prove that she had no weapons) in a rolled carpet to the bedroom of the emperor. Just a part of an Emperor’s life!

We visited many palaces. Palace of Highest Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Palace of Peaceful Longevity is just a few examples. Every palace has its unique functions, but I can’t remember every detail now.

We also visited the Temple of Heaven today. I have seen many of its pictures, but it is more granderer than it could be. Tony recommended us to watch Pecking Opera Show for our night -time leisure. We are not much of the “cultured” or “historian” by any means, but the performance is really fun and amazing.

We were treated to a table at the front of stage, at which we were served all manner of lovely little cakes and an endless stream of tea! The story is difficult to follow and my ears took several minutes to get used to the sound in the theater. The facial make-ups and costume are rich and various, depicting different characters and remarkable images. With eyes fixing on the stage, I found my necks got pain after the show finished.

Day 3 was a super exciting day because we got to visit the Great Wall– my dreaming place! Long before I visited China, I have been told that: your visit to China would not be completed without seeing this symbol of China’s isolation. Got up early in the morning with water and comfortable shoes, my first destination was Juyongguan Pass. Although on the way, I saw some parts of the great wall on the mountains! Unbelievable! I couldn’t wait to climb on it. It’s a very difficult way; almost the whole way is up!! I have to take rest many times, and appreciate such construction. Standing at the top and just realize how far and difficult you have covered.

The next destination is Badaling. I also learnt little things about this wonder from the tour guide: On the top of the wall is a road paved with square bricks, wide enough for six horses or ten soldiers to march side by side. On both sides of the road, outer parapet and inner parapet were set. The climb is harder than the first section as the way is follows the contour of the mountains — it’s ascending and descending all the way.

After the Great Wall we back to Beijing downtown and had dinner in a restaurant for Chinese food. There was no scheduled activity at evening time so we had time to stroll around kinds of stores in Beijing downtown. Not for purchase, just wanted to see the lives of Beijing people, the way they live, the things they sell…..

The last highlight of my Beijing tours came at the last day: taking a hutong tours by rickshaw. At my first glance, all hutongs are the same, formed by lining buildings with gray walls and gray tiles. But when you are in it, you will find and experience that every hutong has something special to talk about, as it full of life and stories. The houses along are formed from four small buildings around a courtyard. We find them around Bell- and Drum-Tower north of Beihai Park.

We traveled through the narrow path and saw many local people. They are different from people in Beijing downtown. I felt some kinds of “history” on the face of an old man. I also found many typical little stores in Hutong areas: small hair cutter businesses, small bakeries, vegetable selling – tiny supermarkets daily necessaries, liquor and cigarette stores, bike repair shops, public telephone kiosks – clothes stores and so on.

What also impressed me is the Scared Road which is a long walkway with 24 animal and 16 human statues lining the path alongside weeping willows, leading us to the Ming tomb. The bargain at Red Bridge market and Silk market always delighted me as I got nice Chinese things at good price. I booked this Beijing tour from China Odyssey Tours and can be a reference for anyone who wants to take a Beijing trip:

My 3 Nights & 4 Day Beijing tours:

Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Day 2: Tian’anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Square; Forbidden City; Temple of Heaven
Day 3: Great Wall, Ding Tomb; Sacred Road
Day 4: Hutongs and then leave Beijing

7 Nights & 8 Days Beijing Tour for travelers who have more leisure time:

Day 1: Arrive Beijing and have a good rest
Day 2: Tian’anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Square; Forbidden City; Temple of Heaven
Day 3: Great Wall, Ding Tomb; Sacred Road
Day 4: Hutong Lama Temple(Yonghe Lamasery); Beihai (north lake) Park;
Day 5: Imperial Summer Villa;
Day 6: Puning Temple; Putuozongcheng Temple;
Day 7: Summer Palace; Fragrance Hills Park; Beijing Zoo
Day 8: leave Beijing

My Beijing Excursions—It’s More Than a Tour!

If you are looking for a China tour destination, consider Beijing, the capital of China. Depending on your interests, Beijing can be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic China food, and enjoy countless historical sights. This article presents my 4-day journey in Beijing:
We arrived Beijing airport at a sunset afternoon as scheduled. Our tour guide Tony, a humorous and kind man was waiting us at the airport then escorted us to Guangzhou Hotel, a four star hotel with nice service and facilities. Our first day at Beijing was saved to organize ourselves and get the things prepared.
Tiananmen Square is the first stop for day 2, the largest city square in the world. We walked through this vast square and headed to the big gate of Forbidden City. Why is it called Forbidden City? As for five hundred years (Ming and Qing Dynasty) ordinary people could not enter it.
Our Guide Tony told us that original palace buildings first built in 1406 so some of these structures are at least 600 years old. One fascinating detail that stuck in my mind is: There were about 1 million laborers & over 100 000 artisans/craftsmen being required to do the work. Seriously now, it is hard to calculate how much expense has poured into this huge project by a succession of Emperors.
While walking around the Forbidden City I tried to imagine the life of an emperor, surrounded by many eunuchs. The guide also told us the emperor had jade seals with names of his concubines. If he displayed one of the seals the eunuch on duty would bring the concubine immediately. She was brought naked (to prove that she had no weapons)in a rolled carpet to the bedroom of the emperor. Just a part of an Emperor’s life!
We visited many palaces. Palace of Highest Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Palace of Peaceful Longevity is just a few examples. Every palace has its unique functions, but I can’t remember every detail now.
We also visited the Temple of Heaven today. I have seen many of its pictures, but it is more granderer than it could be. Tony recommended us to watch Pecking Opera Show for our night -time leisure. We are not much of the “cultured” or “historian” by any means, but the performance is really fun and amazing.
We were treated to a table at the front of stage, at which we were served all manner of lovely little cakes and an endless stream of tea! The story is difficult to follow and my ears took several minutes to get used to the sound in the theater.The facial make-ups and costume are rich and various, depicting different characters and remarkable images. With eyes fixing on the stage, I found my necks got pain after the show finished.

Day 3 was a super exciting day because we got to visit the Great Wall– my dreaming place! Long before I visited China, I have been told that: your visit to China would not be completed without seeing this symbol of China’s isolation. Got up early in the morning with water and comfortable shoes, my first destination was Juyongguan Pass. Although on the way, I saw some parts of the great wall on the mountains! Unbelievable! I couldn’t wait to climb on it. It’s a very difficult way; almost the whole way is up!! I have to take rest many times, and appreciate such construction. Standing at the top and just realize how far and difficult you have covered.
The next destination is Badaling. I also learnt little things about this wonder from the tour guide: On the top of the wall is a road paved with square bricks, wide enough for six horses or ten soldiers to march side by side. On both sides of the road, outer parapet and inner parapet were set. The climb is harder than the first section as the way is follows the contour of the mountains — it’s ascending and descending all the way.
After the Great Wall we back to Beijing downtown and had dinner in a restaurant for Chinese food. There was no scheduled activity at evening time so we had time to stroll around kinds of stores in Beijing downtown. Not for purchase, just wanted to see the lives of Beijing people, the way they live, the things they sell…..
The last highlight of my Beijing tours came at the last day: taking a hutong tours by rickshaw. At my first glance, all hutongs are the same, formed by lining buildings with gray walls and gray tiles. But when you are in it, you will find and experience that every hutong has something special to talk about, as it full of life and stories. The houses along are formed from four small buildings around a courtyard. We find them around Bell- and Drum-Tower north of Beihai Park.
We traveled through the narrow path and saw many local people. They are different from people in Beijing downtown. I felt some kinds of “history” on the face of an old man. I also found many typical little stores in Hutong areas: small hair cutter businesses, small bakeries, vegetable selling – tiny supermarkets daily necessaries, liquor and cigarette stores, bike repair shops, public telephone kiosks – clothes stores and so on.

What also impressed me much is the Scared Road which is a long walkway with 24 animal and 16 human statues lining the path alongside weeping willows, leading us to the Ming tomb. The bargain at Red Bridge Market and Silk Market always delighted me as I got nice Chinese things at good price.
I booked this tour from China Odyssey Tours and can be a reference for anyone who wants to take a Beijing trip:
My 3 Nights & 4 Day Beijing tours:
Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Day 2: Tian’anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Square; Forbidden City; Temple of Heaven
Day 3: Great Wall, Ding Tomb; Sacred Road
Day 4: Hutongs and then leave Beijing
7 Nights & 8 Days Beijing Tour for travelers who have more leisure time:
Day 1: Arrive Beijing and have a good rest
Day 2: Tian’anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Square; Forbidden City; Temple of Heaven
Day 3: Great Wall, Ding Tomb; Sacred Road
Day 4: Hutong Lama Temple(Yonghe Lamasery); Beihai (north lake) Park;
Day 5: Imperial Summer Villa;
Day 6: Puning Temple; Putuozongcheng Temple;
Day 7: Summer Palace; Fragrance Hills Park; Beijing Zoo
Day 8: leave Beijing

Inside China – Beijing – Intro Preview Edit

China Beijing nightlife