Beijing Property Guide
When looking for a new home, your top criteria for selection will include such major factors as availability of transportation and proximity to your workplace. The types of housing available in Beijing include courtyards, villa compounds and apartments.
New Villas
Up-to-date modern villa compounds with a secure big central garden, usually equipped with club facilities. These high standard properties usually belong to the developers and are equipped with all modern electrical appliances and design furniture. The management office also provides all kinds of services, including gardening, housekeeping and maintenance. Also provided is a shuttle bus to downtown, major expat shopping areas and international schools.
Courtyards
Old traditional houses are usually located in the Hutongs. According to historical records a small-scale city first appeared in the Beijing area about 3,000 years but most of the hutongs, which remain today were formed in the Ming and Qing dynasties. These houses are becoming rare by this days as Beijing continued to destroy them and instead builds modern offices and apartment buildings. Very popular among those foreigners who want to escape from the hustle of daily life, courtyards offer a lot of charm, they also require a great deal of maintenance, because of a number of drawbacks, such as low-level electrical supply, and old plumbing and sewage systems. When you choose this kind of house, make sure that you have a very helpful landlord and responsible realtor.
Apartments
Standard Apartments
These apartment buildings are available everywhere in Beijing, and foreigners can easily find a suitable apartment in any price range. These apartments offer basic expat style conditions. Many of these buildings, especially the new ones, are equipped with a clubhouse, car park, satellite TV channels and other facilities.
Serviced Apartments
The most prestigious service apartment buildings are usually built by foreign developers or joint venture companies, they are all equipped with modern furniture and conveniences, and most offer housekeeping services, fitness centers and concierge services.
Beihai Park–beijing
May 15, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
BeiHai Park, in central beijingclose to the Forbidden City, is one of the oldest and most authentically preserved imperial gardens in China.
BeiHai Park has a history of over 1,000 years. BeiHai Park has existed throughout the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
White Dagoba
On top of the Jade Flowery Islet, the White Dagoba was built in 1651 on the former site of the Palace in the Moon where Kublai Khan received Marco Polo. At the suggestion of a famous Tibetan lama, Emperor Shunzhi, the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty agreed to build such a Tibetan dagoba to show his belief in Buddhism and his desire for the unification among various Chinese ethnic groups. The White Dagoba was destroyed in an earthquake and reconstructed twice. Now, resting on a huge stone base, it stands 35.9 meters (about 118 feet) high and is capped by two bronze umbrella-like canopies, with 14 bronze bells hanging around them. Inside, the dagoba holds the Buddhist Scriptures, the monk’s mantle and alms bowl and two pieces of Sarira. Since the White Dagoba is the highest point in Beihai Park, it served as a vantage point with a beautiful view of the whole park.
In front of the White Dagoba is the White Dagoba Temple. There are several other buildings and halls you could visit if you have enough time. These include Zhengjue Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Stone Tablets of ‘Qiongdao Chunyin’ (means the beautiful scenery of the Jade Flowery Islet in spring; inscribed by Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty) etc, all scattered on the slope of the Qionghua Islet.
Five-Dragon Pavilions
To the southwest of the Nine-Dragon Screen lies the Five-Dragon Pavilions – five connected pavilions with spires and pointed upswept eaves. From a distance, they appear together like a huge dragon. Built first in 1602 and repaired several times in Qing Dynasty, these five pavilions, half over the water, stand on the north bank of the lake opposite the Jade Flowery Islet. There are many exquisite carvings and paintings on the girders and pillars of the pavilions which make the Five-Dragon Pavilions a delightful place for the royal members in ancient China to relax and appreciate the natural beauty.
You can stand in the Five-Dragon Pavilions to see the Jade Flowery Islet with the gleaming White Dagoba standing in the exuberance of trees, flowers and various other plants. There are also many other worthwhile places to visit around the Five-Dragon Pavilions including the Heavenly King Hall, Chengguan Hall and the Temple of Little Western Skies, a famous Buddhist architecture.
Quiet Heart (Jingxin) Studio
After visiting the Eastern Shore Area, stepping westward, you will be at the Northern Shore Area. Lying to the east of this area, the Quiet Heart Studio is the most famous independent garden within Beihai Park. It was initially built in Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and enlarged in Qing Dynasty. Inside the studio, there are many magnificent palaces, halls, pavilions, towers, corridors and artificial hills, numerous odd-shaped porous rocks and stones, all artistically arranged. During Qing Dynasty, some of the royal members used to rest or study here.
While visiting these famous and interesting places in Beihai Park, you could have a meal and rest in Fangshan Restaurant located at the northern shore of the lake. This restaurant was started in 1925 by a cook who formerly worked in the Qing court, so the food there is said to be of delicious imperial flavor.
Besides these places of interest in Beihai Park, there are plenty of exhibitions to see. These include the yearly exhibition of water lilies and other water plants in the Botanical Garden, the exhibition of peonies, and varied picture shows, making Beihai Park not only the center of history and culture in Beijing, but also the center of ecological and natural beauty. Now, an ancient but modern Beihai Park welcomes you from all over the world.
Address: 1 Wenjinjie, north-western corner of Forbidden City, Beijing
Tickets: CNY 10
Hours: 6:30am to 8:30pm
Bus Route:
From the South Gate: 101,103,109,812,814,846
From the North Gate: 107,111,118,701,823
From the East Gate: 5
Beijing Hotels: the Unsurpassed
Beijing is the state capital of China and prides itself on many important historical sites and government organization. A very friendly tourist destination, Beijing is full of attractions and surprises. From verdant parks, cozy restaurants to thumping discotheques you will find it all here.
The best point in time to visit Beijing is the autumn season. During this time of year the crowd is lesser and the city is at its best. Locally known as Tiangao Gishuang, the autumn season creates a lovely atmosphere. On the contrary, the spring season is not a very good time to visit the city. Summer season is the peak season and a decent accommodation is hard to find if you do not make prior reservations.
Beijing Hotels are a class apart and of international standards. Making sure that you have a great time here, Beijing China Hotel makes the best of your time
Places of Interest
Temple of Heaven
There is absolutely nothing grand about the structure but still the Temple of Heaven is truly very serene and tranquil. The air that surrounds the place is known to soothe the senses of its visitors. Just as the name suggests, this tourist attraction is beyond doubt heavenly. A day in the Temple of Haven will certainly make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Forbidden City
Also known as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City is absolutely stupendous and an awe- inspiring structure. A walk across its splendid grand patio would relatively make you feel very small in size. Built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City attracts majority of tourists every year.
Tiananmen Square
Under the charge of Mao, the Tiananmen Square was built as a retort to the famous Forbidden City. Being the largest square in the world, the Tiananmen Square boasts of Mao’s burial chamber, important government buildings and Soviet-style structures. The place is forever chock- a- block with visitors and tourists. One of the best hang- outs of Beijing, Tiananmen can also be called its landmark.
Some of the finest Hotels in Beijing are as follows:
Beijing International Hotel
Located on the Chang’an Street, the Beijing International Hotel is a world class luxurious hotel. It first became operational in the year 1987 and in the past two decades it has won many accolades for its praiseworthy services and modern facilities. Another highlight of this grand hotel is that it is located at a very close proximity to the airport and many important tourist sights.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing
Just at a spitting distance from the International commerce hub, shopping complex, historical sights and cultural districts, is positioned a posh hotel called the Crowne Plaza. Just 20 minutes drive from the Beijing Railway Station and around 40 minutes from the Beijing International Airport, the Crowne Plaza is a hotel sought after by most tourists and visitors.
Grand Hotel Beijing
Boasting of 217 rooms nicely done up with painting typical of Chinese culture, sculptures and furniture, the Grand Beijing hotel is located is located in the vicinity of the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Wang Fu Jing Shopping Street. Well equipped with A-one facilities and commendable staff services, the Grand makes sure that your vaction is fun- filled.
Have a great time during your stay at Beijing.
Please Visit:- Beijing Hotels, Map of China
