In spite of the ‘urban jungle’ feel, travel to Beijing and there are plenty pockets of peace in which to relax with the city being home to numerous parks of all shapes and sizes. By Beijing’s very nature, I have found it to have a strong sense of community with can be observed in the […]
In spite of the ‘urban jungle’ feel, travel to Beijing and there are plenty pockets of peace in which to relax with the city being home to numerous parks of all shapes and sizes. By Beijing’s very nature, I have found it to have a strong sense of community with can be observed in the city’s parks. It is unlikely that Beijing tours will operate in these recreational areas, but hopefully this article will create a convincing argument for this purpose.
Beijingers are like any city-folk who live in high-rise apartments, enjoy escaping to green open spaces. In some respects, park-life in Beijing appears very similar to life in any western park such as London’s Hyde Park or Central Park in New York with a comparable layout. Even the petite type of dogs found throughout the city seemingly reflects the style of the urban dwelling accommodation. Yuyuantan Park, (over the river from Beijing’s Millennium Monument) exemplifies the universal character of a park the world over. The park is full of neat pathways cutting through the enormity of the place, people can be found fishing (and even swimming!) along the river, youth group singing ‘Light Up’ by Snow Patrol, kids skating and risking their safety with ever more daring tricks and families are just doing what they do. So are there any significant cultural differences with park-life in Beijing to, for example, western cities – what makes them special? Of course, I would hope so; this is China, filled with a rich customs and tradition…
As mentioned before, there is a strong sense of community, and this is evident with the amount of activity in the parks. Group dancing and singing, for instance, are some activities which simply marvellous to watch. Furthermore, the best thing is, many of these activities are open for all. When I visited Jingshan Park one Sunday afternoon, the place was beaming with life. Meander down from the top of the hill here, and you expect to find of choir groups singing joyfully even to the point where they could be competing with one another. Moving right to ground level at Jingshan, I was absolutely amazed at the large mass of people dancing to traditional songs. Paradoxically, I was unsure whether the dance was spontaneous or organized as the synchronicity was superb (well, bar one foreign chap; who, give him his due, was trying his best). Moreover, it seems as if anybody can join in on the dance and just follow the leader. Apart from song and dance, there was also a peculiar performance occurring in Jingshan in which a large crowd was gathering around. I later discovered this was a comic show with part of the act comprising of man and woman pretending to play out a bull fight!
Each park I have visited has demonstrated a cross-section of society having fun. One of the most fascinating and enthralling games which I have seen in the parks is Jianzi (or Chinese hacky sack), which is akin to volleying a shuttle amongst players. What’s great is that I often see the young (and seniors) play the game with the utmost skill – after trying this game myself, I can assure you that it is not an easy! While other characteristic aspects to be found in the parks include flying quintessential Chinese kites, Tai Chi, Cherry Gardens and pavilions (in Yuyuantan) and people practising on their personal karaoke set. All in all, wherever your Beijing hotels are located, you will not be far from a park teeming with local culture.
All people who travel have different plans, interests and expectations. Still, when you travel to Beijing few people will leave out famous Wangfujing Street on their Beijing tours. So if you’re interested in culture and contemporary art the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) is a great place to visit on the same day because […]
All people who travel have different plans, interests and expectations. Still, when you travel to Beijing few people will leave out famous Wangfujing Street on their Beijing tours. So if you’re interested in culture and contemporary art the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) is a great place to visit on the same day because it’s located right at the north end of Wangfujing Street. There is no general entrance fee; you just need to present your passport at the ticket booth. Depending on the temporary exhibitions there might be an extra fee but that’s not generally the case. At the entrance desk you can also leave bags and jackets without paying a fee.
The museum was built in 1959 for the tenth anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. It was finally completed and opened to the public in 1962. Since then the institution has been a center for research and exhibition and is the most important institute for art in China. It displays mainly modern and contemporary art works by national artist, not only paintings but also photographs, calligraphy, printing art, ceramics and sculptures. Occasionally, pieces of art from abroad are displayed and there have also been numerous international exhibitions.
The main body of the gallery is built in the style of a traditional Chinese pavilion with a roof out of yellow tiles and a title board at the entrance gate which was inscribed by Mao Zedong. The inside of the building is very modern and equipped with the newest technologies after undergoing major renovation in 2002/2003. The museum consists of three main exhibition floors, the first, third and fifth floor with high ceilings leaving enough space even for very large paintings. There are 17 exhibition halls covering a total area of 8,300 square meters.
Visitors hoping to learn about the development of Chinese art in the past centuries won’t find a lot of information about it. This might come as a surprise to some so it’s always a good advice to check out the gallery’s homepage to find out about the current exhibitions. Some are only displayed for no longer than a week and others last up to a month but rarely longer than that. But therefore the temporary exhibitions with works of renowned Chinese artists are hard to find in other places, especially in such dimensions. Moreover, the changing themes and pieces of art also keep it interesting for local visitors.
For people interested in art and especially in contemporary art this place is worth a visit although it helps to know in advance what to expect. And to find out more about Chinese culture and history there is more than enough opportunity to learn when going on China tours. In all bigger cities there are definitely numerous museums and exhibitions for all kinds of interests.
You can’t travel to Beijing without seeing and visiting one of the many Buddhist temples which can be found in the city and all over the country. They are an important element of many Beijing tours. Many of them are not only architectural masterpieces but also an important part of China’s history and culture. With about 50 – […]
You can’t travel to Beijing without seeing and visiting one of the many Buddhist temples which can be found in the city and all over the country. They are an important element of many Beijing tours. Many of them are not only architectural masterpieces but also an important part of China’s history and culture. With about 50 – 80 % of the population practicing this religion Buddhism is still the dominant faith in China today.
One of the most beautiful and famous temples in Beijing is the Yonghegong Lama Temple in the northeast of the city. It’s one of the largest monasteries in the world and not only visited by foreign tourists but mainly by Chinese people. For that reason it’s pretty crowded on a holiday what I personally liked because it’s full of people praying and burning incenses. That way you feel the spirituality of this place and the smell of the incenses really contributes to this special feeling.
The impressive artwork of all the smaller and bigger halls and pavilions is a combination of different architectural styles of the Han, the Mandschu, the Mongolian and the Tibetan. This place was initially built in the early Qing dynasty, in 1694, as a residence for the emperor Yongzheng. Only in 1744 it became the national center for lama administration.
At the entrance there is a big map where you can see the outline of the place and you’ll realize that the whole temple is built symmetrically. In the center there are five main halls and by walking through the first you will get to the next one that is a little bigger than the one before.
After the Hall of the Heavenly Kings comes the second one, called The Hall of Harmony and Peace which contains the three statues of Sakyamuni (Buddha of the Present), Kasyapa Matanga (Buddhist of the Past) and Maitreya (Buddha of the Future). Moreover, it holds an original copper cooking vessel from 1747, a very unique relic.
The Hall of Everlasting Blessings which is the next building used to be the residence of the Emperor in earlier times. The fourth hall is called Hall of the Dharma Wheel and is the place where lamas hold ceremonies. The last pavilion, which is also the biggest one, is the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness. Inside you’ll find the huge statue of Maitreya with a height of 85 feet (26 meters). It’s really impressive to be standing at the bottom of this statue which reaches all the way up to the roof of the three-storey building. It is carved out of a single piece of white sandal wood.
You can easily get to this temple by subway. Just take line number 2 to Yonghegong station which is right next to the temple although you have to walk half way around it to get to the entrance.
Anyone really interested in experiencing the Tibetan Buddhism should nevertheless travel to Tibet. It’s worth a trip especially since the flights are affordable and you can book Tibet tours with a complete program so that you won’t miss any of the must-sees in that area.
Before jetting-off on holiday, it is well worth considering visiting Beijing with many of the great China Flights to choose from. Most visitors who travel to Beijing will probably visit the sights such as The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. Yet walk through the Beijing Gates, off Tiananmen Square, and surround yourself […]
Before jetting-off on holiday, it is well worth considering visiting Beijing with many of the great China Flights to choose from. Most visitors who travel to Beijing will probably visit the sights such as The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. Yet walk through the Beijing Gates, off Tiananmen Square, and surround yourself with the very best of what local Beijing has to offer. Here is where visitors can walk the main pedestrianized street called Qianmen Dajie which is set to resemble the late Qing-dynasty. One way in which to reach Qianmen Dajie is to travel by line 2 on the subway to Qianmen station.
Branching off from Qianmen Dajie, visitors can explore the many connecting hutongs at their leisure. Steeped in at least 500 years of history, this area exhibits a blend of old and new Beijing. For example, you could either choose from the selection of traditional teas from Zhangyiyuan Tea Shop, or go to Starbucks if you prefer. Needless to say, regardless of what the shops are trading, all the buildings appear in the glorious style of the old city.
There are many eating places in which to dine. Established in 1864, the Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant is undoubtedly the
most famous eating place along Qianmen Dajie. Without doubt, Qianmen Dajie and the nearby hutongs symbolise a vibrant mix of Chinese tradition and the city’s cosmopolitan nature. Other recognised dining experiences, for instance, include the Yitiaolong restaurant, an authentic Muslim restaurant which typically sells mutton. Alternatively, you do not need to travel far to discover a store selling beautiful Tibetan artwork.
Qianmen Dajie is not totally pedestrianized, as a visitor you may like to experience a ride on the street’s two trams. Since 2008, these trams have been restored and are now in operation after over forty years out of service. The main street of Qianmen Dajie is spacious, lively and family-friendly. Street sellers, for example, can be seen selling toy birds and many other quintessentially Chinese gadgets.
Some of the abovementioned attractions may be more expensive than other parts of the city, but nevertheless these are unique to Beijing. The more curious traveller can venture towards the hutongs surrounding Qianmen Dajie where you can find plenty of stalls, all shapes and sizes, to buy souvenirs. Unlike the larger stalls on Qianmen Dajie, the advantage of the hutongs is that you will able to haggle and discover some fascinating souvenirs at a lower price. Furthermore, if you are a keen shopper, you might like to try some of the famous clothing shops around the hutongs such as Beijing Silk Shop, Neiliansheng Shoeshop or Liulichang amongst others.
Indeed, for the backpacker-types there are hostels in the hutongs such as Helen’s café where many westerners can be found, which may be of interest. That said, accommodation in the city is altogether plentiful, and there are many superb Beijing Hotels.
If you want to make the China Tours, and you have not any clue about it, then you will need to check out the China travel map. I’m sure about it will help you to travel to China, especially Travel to Beijing a lot. China is a country with vast territory and rich resources. It […]
If you want to make the China Tours, and you have not any clue about it, then you will need to check out the China travel map. I’m sure about it will help you to travel to China, especially Travel to Beijing a lot.
China is a country with vast territory and rich resources. It has 9.6 million square kilometers territory and 2.997 million square kilometers maritime territory. If we put it on a paper, the outline of China looks just like a giant grand rooster. If we fill the plateaus, plains, mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, roads, railways in the giant grand rooster then mark the cities, towns, and countryside; I think it even can be used as a map of China. But what does the China travel map which we talk about today looks like? Is it the same as a regular map of China? The answer is very clear, they are completely different. Now I will show you what a china travel map should like.
Before I explain it in detail, I want to ask you a question. What does the word “travel” mean? In the Oxford Dictionary of English, it was explained as the meaning of make a journey, typically of some length journey along (a road) or through (a region) withstand a journey without illness or impairment ,be successful away from the place of origin. For this, what I understand this word is t not only move from one place to another place simply, but it has the meaning of know a place deeply even if comprehend it as well. In another words travel include move, visit, tour even include hike and explore. So the China travel map must contains the information which we need when we travel to some places. What information should in it? Hotel information? Traffic information? Or ticket service? I believe it is necessary of all of those in it. Because if you want to know the information you don’t have to buy a so-called China Travel Map, you can easily know it by make a telephone call to 12580. I feel the China Travel Map that it should be some valuable information. The valuable information involves the origin, history, culture, myth of a place. Ok, I’ll give some examples of Beijing, for this you can experience the China Travel Map vividly.
Most of foreigners are interested in Beijing Hutong. But few people know about why it called Hutong. Even a great many of Chinese people doesn’t know it. Hutong originated in Yuan Dynasty. Beijing is the capital of Yuan Dynasty. Hutong is a word of Mongolian. Its meaning is a well. At that time a well is also a place which neighbors meet frequently. People always chat near the well, for this a well is a sociable place. Now we always see some Beijing native people who live in Hutong chat together after supper in the Hutong in every summer night, therefore we can easily understand why it named Hutong.
Tell you a Myth. Do you know Beixinqiao? Beixinqiao is a place near Houhai (most of foreigners in Beijing know it). In Chinese bei means north, xin means new and qiao means bridge. Exactly! Beixinqiao means “north new bridge”. But why it call new bridge rather than old bridge? There is an interesting myth. At the early time of Beijing was built up, that place which we call it Beixinqiao always flood. The designers of Beijing city found that there is a water monster in that place. Then they caught it and locked it in a well. When the water monster asks the designers what time they could release him. At that time there is a bridge near the well, the designer answered him “when the bridge become old you will be free”. Then the designer named the bridge “new bridge”, which means it will never become old.
Do you think what I told you above are really interesting? I’m sure your answer is yes. If a map with more information like this, I believe that your curiosity can makes you travel to there and you can engage in your travelling, you can even obtain more knowledge that others do not know. Who don’t want to have such a travel? All in all, the china travel map I describe is a map can cause your curiosity and give you more knowledge. Now you can know what should a China travel map like? Now go make the Beijing Tours!
From sunrise to sundown there is always something happening on the bustling streets of Beijing. Grab some breakfast at Breadtalk, a delicious bakery with outlets across the city or invest in some Chinese tea to kick start your day. Watch the dawn flag raising at Tienanmen Square or join the locals for a spot of […]
From sunrise to sundown there is always something happening on the bustling streets of Beijing. Grab some breakfast at Breadtalk, a delicious bakery with outlets across the city or invest in some Chinese tea to kick start your day. Watch the dawn flag raising at Tienanmen Square or join the locals for a spot of taichi at one of the city parks. The Temple of Heaven is a great spot to engage in some early morning exercise.
Following your early morning adventures hit the tourist trail and discover some of China’s most iconic sights, from the Forbidden City to The Great Wall you won’t be disappointed with the choice and diversity of Beijing.
For lunch try The Schoolhouse at the Mutianya Great Wall for wholesome fresh produce to fuel your climb or Da Dong Roast Duck restaurant in the city to try arguable China’s most famous dish. Peking duck. On your return from exploring head to Houhai to enjoy some drinks and dinner by the lake and watch the sun disappear behind the lake.
HHead to the Park Hyatt Hotel in China World Trade Centre Tower for a Nightcap and watch Beijing sparkle below from the floor to ceiling windows or for the more adventurous head to the Workers Stadium and experiance Beijing nightlife at its best in one of the many bars and clubs surrounding the venue. A perfect day in a vibrant city.
To experience 24 hours in Beijing for yourself contact China Travel Depot or for more travel inspiration check out China Travel Depot’s online guide