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
Vacation Planning for Travel to China
March 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
As you start making plans for your summer vacation, make sure you include China in the list. I’ll tell you why.
First of all, we all know China as a beautiful country with a unique culture that is hard to understand; however, you may want to find the answers this summer by taking a trip to China. If you are worried about the language barrier, there is always the option of choosing a reliable tour operator to assist you in planning your tour itinerary. They arrange everything from hotel accommodations, tour guides and transportation within China so you don’t have to worry about any problems during your vacation. With their experience in the Chinese tourism industry and the 25 Chinese heritage sites listed on the UNESCO list, reliable China tour operators have travel packages specially designed for your visiting pleasure in China’s most beautiful cities.
Popular destinations in China have different attractions and sightseeing, so planning your China tour is essential. A common tour package purchased by many tourists is the Beijing-Xian-Shanghai tour. This tour package allows you to discover and see the historical city of Beijing and its famous monuments; you also get to see the Terracotta Army and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian and finally explore the shopping streets of cosmopolitan Shanghai.
Beijing, the country’s capital is famous for its historical sightseeing and monuments which include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall (china’s travel icon), the Temple of Heaven and the National Museum. This museum has all the materials you need, in order to know about China’s history and culture. During your spare time, you can have the opportunity to sample Beijing’s special delicacy – “roast duck” and witness a typical Beijing Opera. The Beijing Opera is an arts and cultural show which showcases a combination of singing, recitals, acrobatics, dancing and martial arts in order to narrate a story. This is a show you have to witness if you travel to Beijing.
If you have been to New York, then you can imagine what Shanghai looks like. This city is one of China’s oldest cities combining a blend of modernity and old styled buildings. Being the financial hub of China, it boasts of attractive sky scrapers on the North Eastern section in Pudong, while Puxi has some old styled architecture; this contrast is what adds to the beauty of Shanghai. It’s like an old town in a new town.
Things to do in Shanghai include shopping on the famous Nanjing Road, visiting the Oriental Pearl tower and talking a stroll along the streets of the French Concession area.
Xian is the ancient Imperial city of China. This is the site of the Terracotta Warriors and Army considered to be the Eighth wonder of the world. One of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, these warriors is a representation of China’s creativity and craftsmanship.
Yunnan is one of China’s provinces very much inclined to tourists and foreigners; this is because of the mild climate and peaceful environment it always have. Known for its wonderful landscape with unspoiled natural resources, rugged terrains and a rich cultural history, the ethnic minorities of Yunnan are one of her greatest treasures. This province is the melting pot of different cultures and ethnic tribes from across China.
It has often been said that China is the backpacking destination of the world; apart from trekking in Tibets plains, Yangshuo and Guilin is the backpacking capital of China. With highlands, plateaus, caves and the beautiful Lijiang River, adventure lovers are guaranteed to have a wonderful time discovering the natural wonders in Guilin and Yangshuo.
There is so much to do, so much to eat and so much to experience during your China tour; it’s not enough to describe in words, so experiencing China firsthand is recommended.
To get more information about China Travels and China Tour Vacations, visit Passport to China.
China Tours – the Wall and the World Beyond
March 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
China is one of the most exciting world travel destinations in the orient. A country that has contributed volumes to mankind in the fields of art, literature, and politics naturally appeals to the heart and soul. China has given birth to the likes of Hieun Tsang, Fa Hien, Confucius, Mao Tse Dong. Some great inventions such as paper, silk, and compass are also associated with the nation. So it is not much of a surprise that China tours have gradually become very popular in recent times.
China tours escort you to a city that is beautiful inside out. Whenever you embark on a China tour it would be an added advantage to know about China hotels as accommodation in any world travel destination is an important aspect to be dealt with. Many of these stand at par with the best world hotels. Irrespective of different star categories, they provide good hotel services along with warm hospitality.
During China tours, the best of China hotels are to be found in prime cities like Beijing, the capital of China, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The downtown area or the Wangfujing shopping district or the Xidan commercial street in Beijing, the Pudong commercial and industrial district in Shanghai, Yuxiang Square, Central Bell Tower and Drum Tower in Xian and the heart of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong are the main locations for China hotels that are some of the finest world hotels.
The rooms of most of the China hotels reflect the true Chinese spirit with the Chinese style of architecture and décor. Bright colors, typical ethnic structural patterns of China, a profusion of rich silk fabrics – all go on to set up the living quarters of the hotels that you are bound to check in at during your China tours.
According to many world travel guide, sailing through the Hwang Ho, treading down the Great Wall of China, losing yourself in the yummy noodles, exploring the Army of Terracotta Warriors in Xian, and gazing at the gloss and glitter of Shanghai are some of the best things to do on a trip to China. The country is also home to many stunning monuments and World Heritage Sites that are worth a watch. The top most world travel guides recommend many of these. Macau and Hong Kong are also very big draws and boast of a fabulous nightlife.
China tours are especially in vogue ever since the Beijing Olympics 2008 were announced. Known as Games of the XXIX Olympiad on record, the 2008 Beijing Olympics is slated to set the ball rolling on the 8th of August, 2008 and continue till the 24th of August, 2008. A China tour during this time will see you through the 28 sports and 302 events. Both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics will be held at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing.
If you are a person with a taste for the old and the new alike, China tours will surely make a satisfied tourist out of you.
