Best Asian destinations for the US dollar – Part 5

There is more to Asia than just being 6,000 miles away. Encompassing over 1/3 of the Earth’s population along with a variety of different cultures, foods, and lifestyles, any experienced traveler will tell you that Asia is worth every penny.

China, the biggest country on the eastern shore of Asia, has one of the liveliest and oldest cultures out there. With over two thousand years of colorful history, it’s no surprise that each city within has something different to offer – a treat that all travelers can experience with the purchase of a train ticket.

Beijing (Peking) houses wonders such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden Kingdom, and the Emperor’s Summer Palace, as well as countless of other mountains, rivers, and other natural wonders. What makes it so fun is that each of the points of interest mentioned above are well within the city, providing an interesting look at the mesh between old and new, as Beijing becomes one of the biggest growing cities in the world.

In addition to the places of interest for tourists to visit, Beijing offers a lot of other attractions such as massages, street vendors, and night markets. Selling things ranging from key chains to jade bracelets to mp3 players and cell phones, the city is a hustle and bustle atmosphere in which tourists can always find something to do.

More bang for your buck? The current currency of the Chinese government is the renminbi (RMB). The rate is a whopping 6.9 RMB: 1 USD, meaning that for every dollar you have, you have about 7 RMB. Meanwhile, the cost of a good meal, massage, and a night on the town will cost an average of 200-300 RMB, which converts to about $30-$40.

Moving away from the capital city, there’s a plethora of other places to enjoy, including Shanghai, Dalian, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Taiyuan, and many, many more. Each has its own unique flavor to it, and every city is only a train ride apart! The mainland not for you?

How about Macau or Hong Kong? Both cities, after being exposed to large amounts of Western culture, prove to be largely suited to American tastes. For one, most everyone in each of these two “special administrative regions” speaks English. A great sigh of relief for many tourists, as plenty of people struggle every year to communicate in a foreign country. Second, with tall skyscrapers and glassy high-rises around every corner, each of these places stands to be atop the global market with innovation, business, and new technological wonders. Once again,

What to visit in Beijing, China

Until recently, Beijing remained for many a mysterious city where only few ventured to visit. Perhaps it was due to the Chinese government’s strict and totalitarian regime. Perhaps the Tiananmen Square fiasco still haunted many. Perhaps the vast language differences simply turned people off. Regardless of what it was that kept tourism at a minimal, today Beijing has worked hard to make itself a sought after destination. Once the summer Olympics come and go, Beijing will certainly be changed forever, some say for the better, some disagree, however all would probably agree that it should become a much more manageable city, making this sprawling metropolis easier to navigate and generally more tourist friendly.

A visit to Beijing might intimidate many, however it is a trip you should make soon. The experience will undoubtedly change your views on China. From a Western perspective, we are often presented with an image of a war mongering nation, a modern day dictatorship that abuses human rights and an economic powerhouse that threatens the US’s position in the world economy. I will not argue that some aspects of this image are true, however most westerners never learn about China’s history and its rich culture and fascinating traditions. Yes, it is a different culture, but after a visit to Beijing you will come home appreciating the marvelous aspects of these people, understanding and admiring the differences that do exist between them and you.

A trip to China should include various cities (I would recommend: Beijing, Xian and Shanghai at least), but if you can only choose one destination, it should be Beijing. Beijing, or Peking as it is often referred to (Peking is still the name of the city in many languages including the traditional name for Beijing in English, in fact British passports issued by the Birtish Embassy still say ” issued by the “British Embassy, Peking”) is considered the political, educational and cultural center of China. The city has a rich history and it is said that during the 15th, 16th and part of the 17th centuries, Beijing was the largest city in the world.

I awoke on my first morning in Beijing, not quite feeling 100% thanks to the strong jetlag I was experiencing. As I opened the curtains of my hotel room I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a lovely, clear day. In front of me was a large metropolis coming alive. In the distance, I could see mountains, but closer all I saw were cars, countless cars, and swarms

Nightlife in Peking