China on the Go! Let’s take a tour to Beijing

So you have decided to take a tour to China? As China brags of many cities and towns filled with history of ancient civilizations, you probably would be wondering where to go in China. Well, it should not be a very hard decision to make; Beijing should definitely be the first stop over on a planned tour in China.

Beijing, one of the first attractions and most exciting places to visit is located in the North of China. It is the country’s capital which demonstrates most of the country’s cultural heritage. The natives are preparing the beautiful city in anticipation for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. So, the upcoming years will be a perfect time to take a tour to Beijing. Beijing is the home of history in China. It has always represented the place of three important Chinese dynasties over the past 1000 years. Peking duck is one of the most famous dishes in Beijing which many tourists enjoy having as a special cuisine.

A typical tour in Beijing comprises of places like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, the Ming Tombs as well as the Lama Temple. There are lots of hotels around these cities due to the large number of tourists who visit China. The Beijing Grand Hotel is completely decorated in Chinese style with rooms well furnished with Chinese calligraphies and paintings. As a tourist, you feel more at ease and welcomed into the Chinese culture.

The Forbidden City boasts of the world’s largest public square which is the Tiananmen Square. The Tiananmen Square is synonymously linked to the Chinese cultural revolutions where thousands of Chinese supporters crowded the square during Mao’s reign.

Not forgetting the Summer Palace, a major tourist destination spot located on the outskirts of Beijing, although, much of it is covered by the Kunming Lake. This palace completely demonstrates Chinese architecture, history and garden design. Taking a tour to the Summer Palace, you will see the Long Corridor of the lake which runs for about 2500 feet and ends at the marble boat.

One of China’s most cherished and greatest treasures is the Great Wall which makes the people proud of. This wall was built over 2 millennia by the old Chinese dynasties. It started in 221 BC and was continuously built until the 17th century. The Great Wall of China stretches from almost the center of Asia to the East China Sea. Visiting a part of the Great Wall is a must for any tourist who tours China as it is truly one of the great wonders of the ancient world.

Don’t get too tired as the Ming Tombs is still one of the nicest places to visit in Beijing. These tombs represent the burial grounds of some of the 16 Ming dynasty emperors of China. It has a 7km quiet walkway known as the Spirit Way which leads to the tombs.

As a tourist in Beijing, there’s still so much to see and even after taking a tour in Beijing, places to tour in China includes Tibet, Huangshan commonly known as the Yellow Mountains, Shanghai, Xian and many of the traditional local places. A short tour in China will not be enough to tour all these places, but the experience and adventure
would definitely be worth it.

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The best Chinese restaurant in Washington DC

SsshhhCan you keep a secret? This may be an issue of National Security. The best Chinese restaurant in Washington DC is really in nearby Virginia. How do I know this? If you look around the walls of the Peking Gourmet Inn, you will see photographs of the last 4 Presidents and assorted Washington luminaries dining there. This was George Bush41’s favorite Chinese restaurant and he was Ambassador to China for Pete’s Sake! He was also head of the CIA, so I can’t just tell anyone about this marvelous Chinese restaurant!

Well, you seem like true freedom loving hungry people, so I’ll risk it. The Peking Gourmet Inn is located at 6029 Leesburg Pike, in Bailey’s Crossroads, VA. Its popularity has caused it to expand and break through walls in its strip mall location but believe it or not, it can be packed on weekend nights.

The specialty of the house is the famous Peking roast duck. According to the hostess, they serve over 400 roast duck per weekend. The duck is prepared in the time honored Peking style, where the duck is steamed, hung to dry in a huge room with electric fans then roasted to make the delicious crispy skin. The duck is carved tableside and served with thin Chinese pancakes, green onions, cucumbers and a sweet and nutty plum sauce. Then you roll all the ingredients in the pancakes and enjoy! I have been to Beijing, and I still think this is the best roast duck I’ve ever had. A whole Peking duck for two is $48 with tip. If you choose, you can have half a duck for an appetizer, but you’ll be sorry you didn’t get a whole one!

This is a sprawling restaurant with a great staff and amazing traditional dishes. It’s no wonder that Presidents took the short drive from DC out to the Peking Gourmet Inn to get the best Chinese food in Town.

Not everyone may like duck, but not to worry, all the food is fantastic. The Peking Gourmet Noodles are unbelievable. Homemade noodles are pan fried and tossed with an assortment of shrimp, beef, and chicken and Chinese vegetables in a sublime brown sauce. It’s one of the best noodle dishes I’ve ever had!

They also boast a Chinese delicacy of shrimp or chicken sauted with fresh garlic sprouts. I was served this several times in China, and was delighted to find it on the menu at the Inn.

The Peking Crispy Beef is also great, and is a dish that is getting hard to find in many Chinese restaurants. Thin strips of beef are batter dipped and fried crisp and served in a sweet sauce. It’s one of my favorites.

Of course you can find many of the traditional Chinese restaurant dishes, all impeccably done. Start your meal with a tropical drink, like a Flaming Volcano and steamed dumplings, then move to the duck, then try a few dishes to share. Sharing is the key to a great Chinese dinner, so let everyone pick a favorite and pass it around. Sip jasmine tea, enjoy beautiful traditional Chinese music and dine like an Emperor! Or at least, like a president!