My Beijing Excursion–It’s not only 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

Your China Travel Guide: How to Discover the Wonders of China

Planning a tour to China, the largest and oldest country in the world is truly a must for anyone who wants to experience a unique travel adventure. China is known to have an ancient civilization which dates back to some thousand years ago and this is one of the reasons why China has a rich and unique culture full of historical values.

As a popular tourist destination in the Far East, China has a lot of wonderful attractions, sightseeing and historical wonders for the enthusiastic travelers who want to discover the true beauty of China. The best times to visit China is usually during May and September as these periods offer good weather conditions for visiting.

In order to enjoy your travel plans in China, it is advisable to consult the services of a reputable China tour agency. They are responsible for planning your entire trip from the moment you arrive in the airport till the day you depart. They also provide the hotel accommodations and other transportation facilities throughout your stay in China. To make your stay a successful one, they assign a bilingual local tourist guide to assist and guide you through your tours around the country. A fascinating thing about the travel wonders of China is that for every sightseeing and attraction, there is a historical or cultural origin behind it.

Beijing, the country’s capital boasts of over 30 sightseeing and attractions out of which include the famous Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs and a variety of others. Beijing is usually the first city tourists visit due to their excitement to see the great wall. In general, Beijing is known to be a historical city because of the many monuments and attractions which played a great role in China’s civilization and still remains as it was since over five hundred years.

Yunnan, the international tourist destination is a province in China favorable to many international tourists because of its pleasant climate. Apart from the climatic conditions, Yunnan boasts of a number of cities with scenic and beautiful landscapes which makes for a great place for nature lovers on a getaway from the bustling streets of city. From the spring city of Kunming, to the old town of Lijiang and Dali, Yunnan is the perfect getaway for tourists who want to appreciate the natural endowments of China’s sceneries and landscapes.

A tour to Tibet, the pilgrimage destination of Buddhists can also be included in your tour itinerary during your travel in China. Tibet is considered to be the rooftops of the world because of the high elevation of its geographical location. The tourism of this region has flourished in recent years due to the opening of the Tibet-Qinghai high speed rail which connects Beijing to Lhasa. Amateur fanatics of mythical train journeys can finally have their dreams come true as they speed on top of the world to experience some peace in the Tibetan Kingdom.

Guilin and Yangshuo is the backpacking capital of China. With its special breath taking sceneries and caves, this town has opened the opportunity to mountaineers and backpackers who want to discover the hidden wonders of China.

Shanghai is one of China’s cosmopolitan cities which showcase a blend of modernity and history. The first class skyscrapers and Ming styled architecture of Shanghai buildings is what attract visitors to this bustling city. Shanghai also known as the “Oriental Paris” is the best place to shop for all kinds of branded shoes, clothes, jewelries and gifts from first class to low quality in almost any type of store.

Harbin is the magical ice world of China. Located in the north of China, this region is synonymous for the annual celebration of the Harbin Ice Festival which attracts visitors from all over the world to participate in the magnificent showcase of legendary ice sculptures and carvings.

Xian is one of China’s ancient cities where civilization started. It has grown to become an industrial and tourist destination which proudly boasts of the site of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Terracotta Army and Warriors.

China is known to house twenty four heritage sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. These cultural treasures are a part of what contributes to China’s history.

To get more information about China Travel,China Tour Vacations, visit Passport to China.