Beijing's Best Annual Festivals

As the capital of China, Beijing is home to amazing landmarks, important cultural centres and is an essential place to visit when on holiday in the country. There are many factors that are involved when it comes to deciding when to visit China, including what the climate will be like at different times of the year and when it is generally most expensive to visit, but one that is often overlooked is when certain festivals are celebrated.

Beijing is home to a number of brilliant festivals that are worth planning a trip around; here, we summarise the best annual festivals in the Chinese capital.

Temple Fair

During the Spring Festival, which is more familiar to many as Chinese New Year, temples all across Beijing become busy places to visit. Locals practise various customs, such as folk songs, dance and craftsmanship shows, which are fascinating to watch. Some of the best include the Beihai Park Temple Fair, the Old Summer Palace Temple Fair - great for performances - and the Dongyue Temple Fair - a fine example of traditional Chinese culture, including midnight prayers, blessing cards and personalised red belts that ward off evil spirits.

The Grand View Garden Fair

Also held during the Spring Festival is the Grand View Garden Fair, which celebrates the Chinese classic masterpiece Dream of the Red Mansions. Held outside the ChangAnMen, those involved in the festival don traditional outfits that are sure to impress. Visitors can also expect to see a lot of performances related to the Chinese story of a woman from an aristocratic family who went to live in the Imperial Palace.

Beijing Chrysanthemum Exhibition

Held every November, this event takes place in all the major parks of Beijing. The exhibition in Beihai Park has become the most famous in all of the city, displaying lots of beautiful chrysanthemums and special displays for all to see. November is one of the best times to visit China thanks to the colour that this festival brings and its celebration of one of China's traditional flowers.

Yanqing Ice and Snow Tourism Festival

This popular winter festival lasts from December until February, giving visitors plenty of time to join in with the fun. Held at Shijinglong Ski Resort, Badaling Ski Resort and Longqing Gorge, visitors can see some truly incredible ice statues that have been carefully crafted, as well as have a go at skiing and ice skating. There are also hot springs that visitors can use to escape from the cold temperatures!

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Top Sights in Beijing and Shanghai

When planning a vacation to China, you'll want to visit the two top cities in the country, Beijing and Shanghai. Shanghai is located on the coast of the East China Sea, about eight hundred miles from Beijing, which is located northwards. Both cities offer visitors a chance to soak up the history and culture of this amazing city.

The Great Wall of China is probably the most famous of all the sights in Beijing. It is also one of the greatest wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning over five thousand miles, the Great Wall runs from East China to West China and oozes two thousand years of history.

Most of the highlights along the Great Wall include ruins which date back to the 1300's and 1400's. Thousands of tourists visit the wall each day and it remains one of the top things to see while visiting the city.

Once you've explored the Great Wall of China, you'll want to make your way to the Temple of Heaven. This religious building complex can be found to the south east of central Beijing and dates back to the 1400's. The complex is over two kilometers in size, making it larger than the famous Forbidden City.

The Temple of Heaven is made up of three sections, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Alter. The complex is open daily and once you enter through one of the four gates you will be amazed by the magnificent architecture and history that surrounds this spectacular religious complex.

Then there is the Forbidden City, which is a must to anyone visiting Beijing. The Forbidden City is a city center palace which dates back to the 1300's. Today it includes the Palace Museum surrounded by moats and walls. The palace is home to over eight thousands impressive rooms.

You'll notice yellow is used throughout the city, this is because yellow is the symbol of the royal family.

The Palace Museum is a highlight in Beijing, where you can soak up some of the history of this magnificent country. With eight permanent exhibitions and a number of temporary exhibitions, the museum offers a host of ceramics, paintings and clocks to explore, just to mention a few.

Beijing and Shanghai area about eight hundred miles in distance. Getting a Beijing Shanghai train ticket is easy and can be purchased online. Once you have your Beijing Shanghai train ticket you will be able to get on the high speed train. The railway line was completed in 2011 and cuts the over eight hundred mile journey down to just over three hours. The Beijing Shanghai train ticket will give you a comfortable journey where you will pass through number of towns including Tianjin, Xuzhou and Kunshan before arriving in Shanghai.

Once you arrive in Shanghai you'll want to head over to the Yuyuan Garden. This classical garden spans over 20,000 square meters and dates back to the 1500's. The garden is simply magnificent with pavilions, ponds and halls to explore. There are six main areas to the gardens complete with souvenir shops, flowers, rockeries and more. The internal garden is the highlight with ornamental ponds offering a serene and scenic setting where you can just enjoy the tranquility of the space.

Once you've purchased your Beijing Shanghai train ticket and you arrive in Shanghai the Shanghai Museum is an absolute most. The museum houses ancient Chinese art with over 120,000 objects to explore. With eleven permanent galleries and a further three temporary galleries, you can spend a day exploring the paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and coin collection housed in this amazing museum.

Finally the last stop that can't be crossed off your itinerary is the Jade Buddha Temple. The temple is located in western Shanghai and is where you can see the two jade Buddha statues, the sitting statue is a sitting Buddha which is 190 centimeters in height, this Buddha is white jade and finished with gleaming emeralds. The second Buddha is a lying Buddha of 96 centimeters in height, also a magnificent statue that shouldn't be missed.

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Why Choose Beijing As a Vacation Spot

Beijing is a mixture of the past, present, and future. This is a city that has a lot to offer to travelers whether they are looking for a sense of adventure, history, and culture. Beijing is one of the places that many choose as a vacation spot. To learn 5 great reasons to choose Beijing, continue reading on. Here are the 5 Reasons to Choose Beijing for your vacation destination.

· Attractive Culture

Beijing is open to sharing its culture to all people. One can learn about its history, arts, tradition, music, language, and more in so many venues. Many sites will showcase preserved relics during the imperial times. There are also workshops available for foreigners to choose from to get a closer look and taste of the culture of Beijing.

· Street Markets

You can try your hand at bargaining. Many vendors at the street markets sell all sorts of items at a very cheap price. One can find almost anything from antiques to handicrafts. One can also see a wide selection of jewelry, food, clothing, statues, and more. Getting to these markets are relatively easy since public transportation is available. Some can also get a bicycle in order to see these local markets.

· Forbidden City

This place offers visitors a taste of history. Many emperors lived in this city and are known for its craftsmanship. The collected artifacts have been preserved and one will enjoy looking at the pagodas and other collected relics from the time of the emperors. This city was lived in since 1420 to 1924. Many visitors can enjoy the Early Peace, Hall of Unity, and the Purity and Peace attractions inside the city.

· Tiananmen Square

This is well known around the world to be a place where protests and rallies took place. This square takes up at least 100 acres of land which makes it the biggest square in the entire world. Mao Zedong in 1949 announced that the land was People's Republic of China. This square has been a venue that many locals gathered to share their sentiments for more than 100 years.

· Local food

There is a variety of local food to choose from on the streets. If you are worried about the handling of the food, you can request the vendor to cook your choice before your eyes. Vendors with carts sell sweet potatoes, kebabs, cakes and more. For the more adventurous, they can try eating cocoons of silkworms, fried starfish and scorpions, and more.

Those who are interested in jumping in an unknown culture will find that Beijing has something for all people regardless of their background. This city offers a wide selection of accommodation from hotels to inns and lodges. There is something for any budget in this city.

A Beijing tour is a great way to get around Beijing to make sure that you can have the best of what the city has to offer. Booking Beijing tours can be done conveniently. For more information, visit this site.

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Finding the Best Hospitals in Beijing

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and also the cultural and educational centre of this big nation. One can find a large number of modern hospitals and health care centers in Beijing with global standards. All these major hospitals offer world class technology, highly qualified medical professionals and excellent infrastructures facilities. Nowadays they provide staffs who are fluent in English. Major hospitals are accepting credit card payments and the visitors are usually asked to put a deposit before their admission to the hospitals to cover the cost of treatments and services.

I would like to give a brief description of some of the better hospitals in Beijing.

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics ("BJU") is the first and the only foreign-invested hospital operating in Beijing, China. This world class hospital was founded in 1997 by Chindex International, an American company, and achieved the prestigious US Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence in 2002. The hospital is provided with all most all the medical departments and is headed by highly qualified specialists. Most of the staffs are English speaking. T: +86-10 6433-3960

The China-Japan Friendship Hospital which is an outstanding medical institution in Beijing could be the first choice for a visitor. The hospital was rated as the best hospital for foreigners in Beijing by the Association for Foreigners. The hospital is a real master in medical fields with its highly-skilled medical staffs, excellent treatment and research facilities and warm hospitality. They are giving first preference to their patients in all the matters concerned. T: 86-10-6422-1122.

Beijing Hospital which is located in the heart of city, and adjoins Chang'an Street, is another major hospital of the area. The hospital provides professional medical treatments and related services in all main departments. They try to keep the international standards in all the services they are offering. T: 86-10-6513-2266

Cancer Institute & Hospital (CIH) is China's pioneer in advanced cancer research and treatment. This world famous institute is rated as the largest cancer prevention and treatment centre in Asia. This WHO approved research centre offers the best available treatments and research facilities for the needed persons and institutions.

Beijing An Ding Hospital, Capital Medical University (BADH-CMU), is a pioneer in psychiatric treatments. The hospital was founded in 1914. and is located near the moat on the north of age-old De Sheng Men.. This huge institute is a leader in medical service, teaching and scientific research in mental health and psychiatry. In 2000, the hospital became the first Faculty of Mental Health in China, and the array of high quality medical professionals the hospital providing is really great.

Gynecology & Obstetrics Hospital, BJ which is located at No.17 Beichi Ziqihelou Dongcheng-qu is a trusted hospital in gynecological treatments. The hospital has been offering warm hospitality and excellent treatments and services for years. T: 86-10-6525-0731

International Medical Center (IMC) is another major hospital which is located at the Beijing Lufthansa center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. They hold world class facilities for treatment and health services. The hospital is well known for the personal care they are providing. Well qualified English speaking staffs are available here. T: +86-10 6465-1561/1562/1563

Capital City Dermatology Hospital of Beijing is a large specialized dermatology hospital in China. The hospital is providing world class treatments and services in all departments of skin care like the Department of Dermatology, Specialty of Dermatology, Specialty of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Department of Medicine Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine etc

Sekwa Eye Hospital which was founded in 2004 by a group of eye physicians and surgeons in Beijing. Now this is one of the pioneer private hospitals in China. With the support from the Norwegian government and from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the hospital is giving leadership to a number of research activities in eye care.

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Top Places to Visit in Beijing

• The Great Wall
• Forbidden City
• Tiananmen Square
• Ming Dynasty Tombs
• Temple of Heaven
• Beijing Zoo
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1. The Great Wall IS China. It stretches, mostly East to West, for over 5,500 miles. There is evidence that it was begun as early as the 7th century B.C. Much of the wall has disappeared; however, the portion near Beijing has been rebuilt and maintained more than any part. It has been said that the Great Wall is visible from space; however, no discernible photos exist that clearly show it.
2. The Forbidden City was built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and served as the palace for 24 emperors. Surrounded by a 150 feet moat, its walls reach nearly 30 feet in some places. It was forbidden for ordinary people to see the palace unless invited, thus it became known as the Forbidden City.
3. Tiananmen Square has become famous for protests, and today is one of the main tourist sites. Parades and pageants take place here, like "Red Square" in Moscow. The Tiananmen Tower is just north of the Square and was the place where ceremonies were watched by the emperors. The Monument to People's Heroes is in the center of the square and contains the engraved words of Chairman Mao's famed book "The People's Heroes are Immortal." The Great Hall of the People is where conventions and congresses are held. The Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao is on the south of the square and contains the coffin of the immortal chair. The National Museum is located on the east side of the square.
4. The Ming Dynasty Tombs are about 25 miles from the city. Thirteen Ming Emperors are buried here.
5. The Temple of Heaven was constructed in 1420 and was the place where the emperors went to pray for a good harvest. The Temple contains Hall of Prayer for Good harvests, the Hall of Heavenly Emperor, the Circular Mound, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Abstinence Hall, the Beamless Hall, the Long Corridor, the Longevity Pavilion, the Echo Wall, the Three Echo Stones, and the Seven Meteoric Stones.
6. The Beijing Zoo contains over 450 species and 5,000 different animals. The most popular exhibit is the Panda Hall, where the giant pandas are kept. Also located here is the Beijing Aquarium, containing thousands of species of marine life.

We have only touched the tip of the iceberg of beautiful places to visit in this exciting city. A week will not be nearly enough to see all there is to see.

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Places to Visit - Beijing China

Beijing, the capital city of China and a city also known as Peking in English, is a city with a rich culture and tradition. It is a place that shares its 3000 years of history, an amazing mix of the old and new. But, before we go deep into what Beijing may offer, let us first know where exactly Beijing is. The absolute or exact location of Beijing China is at 39 degrees 55 minutes north latitude and 116 degrees 20 minutes east longitude, and it is located at the northern region of the People's Republic of China. The city of Beijing China which has a land area of 16,807.8 square kilometers or 6,489.5 square miles holds a population of over 22 million people. As previously mentioned, having a 3000 years worth of stories to share, China had over 20 dynasties. The very first was of the Xia Dynasty and the very last was the Qing Dynasty, wherein the latter made Beijing the capital of China.

Being familiar of Beijing's history would not help us with appreciating the essence and beauty of the place, but rather to visit and witness its culture would give us a firsthand experience of what Beijing China has to share.

First stop would be the Forbidden City. It is located in the center of Beijing China which houses the Palace Museum. For over 500 years, this city served as the abode of former emperors for most of the dynasties that ruled over China. When going to the Forbidden City, there would be some preparations that need to be done. First off, would be to choose when to visit the said city for during weekends of Chinese Holidays it would be packed with a volume of tourists and locals. Second is to know where you would enter the city. It has two entrances, one on the north side which is the Northern Gate or the Gate of Divine Might and one on the southern side which is Southern Gate of the Meridian Gate. The former is advisable to enter the city through the northern gate during the peak season or on weekends and the latter is advisable to enter during low tourist season and weekdays. Third would be to wear comfortable attire for walking because there would be long walks inside the city.

Next stop would be the Tiananmen Square. It is well-known for its history and great cultural significance for it is the place where important events in Chinese history took place. When visiting the square, it is advisable to follow the strict rules and regulations implemented by the government for safety purposes.

And last but not the least would be the Great Wall of China, approximately 80 kilometers north from the Forbidden City. The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications which was built, rebuilt and maintained from the 5th century BC until the 16th century. It is the longest man-made structure with a length approximately over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) which serve as protection from invaders and a symbol of power. And now, it serve as a national treasure for China and is belongs to the 7 Wonders of the World. Visiting the great wall will surely entail a long walk that is why it is preferred to go wearing casual and comfortable attire. It is recommended that you wear comfortable rubber sole shoes and wind and rain resistant clothing because some parts of the Great Wall are located in the mountain and conditions in these areas are unpredictable.

These are but only a few places to visit in the beautiful capital of China. There are a lot more to discover, where the old meets the new, in China's political and cultural capital, Beijing.

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Best Local Routes for A Beijing Tour

People visiting China find it an amazing country of cultural and historical variety. Beijing is a showcase of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary landscape. However, a usual bus tour is not enough if you really wish to experience Beijing's sights, sounds, and flavor. The best way to explore Beijing is to borrow a cycle and go touring the city by yourself. In fact, cycle tours are extremely popular in the city. So, don't waste your day sitting in the hotel. Here are the best local Beijing tours if you are ready for some adventure.

The hottest spot in Beijing is surely the Pulp Street. It extends all the way to the Bell Tower. Pulp Street is a quaint and oldest section of the city. There are bars, shops, and restaurants throughout the area. You can reach the Pulp Street intersection if you go along the Dian Gate North Street. The Pulp Street also takes you to the well-known Yinding Bridge. The bridge is very popular for its fantastic view of the West Mountain in the distance. Beijing is located by the Shi Cha Sea. The hutongs along the shore of the sea are beautiful. History and culture blend together in the hutongs. The old residence of one of China's most popular modern writers, Soong Ching Ling, is also a famous tourist spot.

You could explore the western part of Beijing if you visit the Dazhalan Street which is accessible via the Xijiaomin Alley. This is the area of the Liulichang and Zhushikou Church. The area extends from the North Xinhua Street area to the Tiananmen Square. Most local people would tell you that the Dazhalan Street is not what it used to be several years back. However, the street would help you picture what old Beijing was like. The traditional hutongs are still there. The church area is full of shops selling antiques. The architecture of the area is an example of traditional Chinese buildings. You can spot cornices, brick walls, and emerald tiles in the buildings of the area. The owners of the roadside stores are happy to chat with tourists. Beijing tours are not complete without a visit to this area.

Most Beijing tours include a visit to the Juer Hutong area. There are several traditional courtyards in the area that are reminiscent of the royal Chinese family and architecture of several decades before. The waterside is very popular with tourists. Most tourists find South Luogu Alley an enchanting place for shopping. The area is a mix of the traditional and modern China.

No tourist should return from Beijing without exploring the Dong Hua Door area. This part of Beijing leads up to the Lumicang where the hutongs are impressive. This is the eastern part of the city. There are more parks and yards in this area than any other part of Beijing. Bicycle and bus tours to this part of the city are very popular with tourists. Beijing tours in cars are also available to the historic buildings in the area.

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Top 6 Customs to Know When Traveling Beijing

While there are so many things to consider when traveling to a new place, one of the basic things that should be covered by any traveler is to gain a little bit of knowledge on the country's customs.

Beijing is the capital city of China. This article will show excited travelers what are some of the practices in Beijing; these are the top 8 that are most commonly seen and observed by travelers. Getting equipped with simple knowledge beforehand will provide you a more fun and meaningful adventure as you travel. It will also prepare you so that you will not be so shocked when you arrive and can focus more on enjoying the differences as well as what they have to offer.

Customs

1. Spitting is acceptable.

Chinese locals like to spit. Visitors might find it unpleasant to see locals spitting. However, they do this openly because of the belief that it is important to remove wastes from one's body. Spitting publicly has already been addressed and there is less of it is going on, but has not completely vanished.

2. Introducing others not needed.

Shaking hands are usually done in business and other social gatherings. However, introducing one's companion is less common. They do not follow the Western culture which puts a lot of emphasis on introduction. Most women do not shake hands but will not.

When entering a house, it is best to leave your slippers outside. This comes from the belief that the ground is dirty and some things and places like a home should not get dirty. It is also better to wear socks since it is believed that those who do not wear socks do not have the means to buy one. It is also best to remove your shoes or slippers before climbing to reach something.

3. Chopsticks is commonly used when eating.

Most locals eat with chopsticks. Try eating with chopsticks. This is a great way to immerse in their culture. Keep in mind that eating with the hands is not usually allowed and the bones from the parts of the meat are put on another plate.

4. Tipping is not acceptable.

Do not tip as this can be seen somewhat as an insult. Tipping is not a common practice as it is commonly practiced by Westerners. Workers do not expect this. However, you can tip bellboys at the hotel, drivers, and even tour guides. You can also consider tipping those who work in Western hotels and restaurants.

5. They do not use toilet paper.

They usually do not use toilet paper. Bring toilet paper around with you. This is not usually provided at public toilets. Also, the public toilets are usually not known to be well kept. Therefore, if possible try to use the toilet at your hotel.

6. Crosswalks are not given significant importance.

Crosswalks are not usually observed. Cars at the crosswalks will not stop. Be careful when crossing the street. You must look to your left ad to your right. Pedestrians at crosswalks still do not stand much change if a vehicle approaches.

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The Travel From Beijing to the Great Wall of China

Beijing being the capital of People's Republic of China has got a great historical and cultural background to represent. It has been more than 800 years since Beijing has been declared the capital city of China. In the year 2008 when Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympics Games, it started inviting tourists and travelers from different countries. Beijing travel became famous at international level.

If you have come for Beijing Travel thing don't forget to visit the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China is easy to visit even if you have come to Beijing for a day's trip. You can travel in a tour bus, public bus or hire other vehicle to get to the see the Great Wall. The Badaling section is the most popular spot from where the Chinese tour group departure. It is most nearest to Beijing that is why it is preferred. 

The Beijing travel can begin from the Tiananmen Square where the great Mao declared the foundation of the country. This area is large enough to accommodate 1 million people. It is the heart where the urban Beijing lies.

For exploring the ancient architect of the city, explore the Forbidden City. This was a Chinese imperial Palace which served as a home to the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasty.

Beijing offers four seasons. This makes it easier for people to tour Beijing at any time of the year. The spring season starts from April to May and it is warm. The temperature in the day as well as night is different. Summer starts from the mid of June. It is the hottest time of the year. Rainfall is also common during summers. Next comes autumn which starts from the mid of September and goes till October. It is the best time to come to explore Beijing. You will find plenty of tours during this time of the year. The temperature is found mild and enjoyable. Winter is the last season of the year of course which starts from November and lasts till March. Visitors love coming during the winters to enjoy winter games in Beijing.

There is a lot to discover and explore in Beijing. There are almost 7,309 cultural heritage sites whereas 200 scenic spots in the city. After exploring the city, it is easy to find a bus and travel towards exploring the Great Wall of China. The Great wall as we all know was built for the protection of the Chinese Empire. Initially it was made from rammed earth but later as dynasties changed and time passed, changes were made in the material. There are plenty of myths about the Great Wall of China and that is one reason why people are curious to see it.

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Beijing Tours - The Best Places to Explore in Beijing

China Travelling tours are a lot popular because China also lies in the list of those destinations that can make a trip memorable. China is rich is cultural heritage. It has got plenty of mammoth palaces, museums, templates, strolls and historical buildings that are quite exciting to be explored. No matter what type of tour it is, it can be a family trip, school trip, honeymoon trip or even a business tour you will be fascinated by the uniqueness of the country.

China welcomes tourist from all over the world to take a feel of the sparkling beaches, mountains, lakes and rivers. All you need is to find a China Travel service and your trip will be much thrilling and exciting because China sure has the best of everything. The China Travel service will offer various packages that will include your accommodation and scheduled tours for you.

Beijing tours are also an important part of the visit to China. Your visit would be incomplete if you will not explore the beautiful capital city Beijing. The best season to visit Beijing is autumn. It is the time when plenty of tourists and visitors from different countries are found exploring China. The Beijing tours must include three of the most important visits.

The very first one is the Forbidden City. It is one of the majestic palaces of the city now known with the name the Palace Museum. It is huge and its architecture is wonderful. The palace has got easy tourists and visitors access.

The second most important place to visit is the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China has a great historical significance and it is known all over the world. It has been 2000 years since the Great Wall of China was built. Its structure is visible from the space too. It is crowded with tourists who specially arrange Beijing tours to see it.

The Temple of Heaven also falls in the category of the worth visiting places in Beijing. It is located in the southern side of the city. It is 2.72 million square meters large. It was the temple which was used by the people of the Ming and Qing Dynasties to pray.

Many people think visit to China would be boring. With this negativity you can never enjoy any kind of trip. It's better to leave the negative thoughts at home and realize the fact that China has plenty of worth visiting places. Its lakes are amazing too. With a tour guide along, you can enjoy the tour in a much better way. You will love exploring the cultural uniqueness and the warmth with which Chinese greet the visitors.

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The Best Shopping Places in Beijing

The ancient city of Beijing is also the capital of China. It is a thriving metropolis that not only boasts of beautiful and scenic spots and a vast array of monuments, but also promises exciting shopping expeditions. After enjoying the sights of the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, The Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, a visit to the numerous shopping areas in the city is a must. Even if you are holidaying in some other part of China, you can always take cheap domestic flights to Beijing and embark on an exhilarating shopping expedition.

Thankfully there are many cheap flights to Beijing and this means that people can save a lot of money, which can be spent on buying beautiful Chinese silk, artifacts, pearls and much more. The city is teeming with markets and malls that offer great bargains, as long as you know where to go.

The Silk Alley Market is the most popular shopping area in the city. Until 2005 it was an open-air market, but now it is housed in a 5-storeyed building in Xiushuidong Jie. This place is very close to the US Embassy and offers replicas of famous brands such as Nike, Puma and Northface. The place is also popular for cashmere sweaters, linen, clothes, traditional Chinese jewelry, toys, precious stones, shoes, luggage, and handicraft. Once you finish shopping you can relax at the food court located in the building.

Travelers wanting to shop for pearls should head to Hongqiao Market. This market is located in Chongwen District and has several shops that sell seawater, cultured, pink, black, ivory and freshwater pearls. It is best to check a couple of shops before purchasing the pearls, as the price and quality vary from one shop to another.

Flea market lovers will get enchanted with Panjiayuan Market, located in Chaoyang District on the Third Ring Road. This market houses around 3,000 stalls that open at dawn and continue selling their wares until 4 pm. The market is popular for selling antique-like replicas. You can also buy beautiful Buddha statues, silk screen, porcelain vases and jade bangles from here. At times, you may be lucky enough to pick up genuine products dating back to the Chinese Cultural Revolution that took place in the 1960s.

Mall lovers should head to the Oriental Plaza at the Wangfujing Street. Spread in an area of 12,000 square meters, the Plaza promises an exciting experience in dining, shopping and entertainment. The mall is categorized into six theme based sections, namely the Market Square, the Metro City, the Garden Court, the International Boulevard, the Wonderful World and the Sky Avenue. Here you can find original designer products from famous brands, such as Valentino, Burberry and Max Mara. It offers a completely different perspective to shopping in the capital city of China.

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Important Tourist Places in Beijing

If you are planning for a tour in China then your trip starts with Beijing, the capital city of China. It is one of the most populous cities in the world with a population of about 19,612,368 (as of 2010). Beijing is the centre for political, cultural and educational centre, there is a lot to experience in this world's well-known metropolis. There are a lot of touristic attractions in Beijing that one gets confused as where to start with. So for those first time visitors and enthusiastic people who want to know about Beijing, we will discuss the top most touristic spots.

Beijing Forbidden City: This is the first place to start your vacation in Beijing. The Forbidden City is the world largest palace with an area of about 720,000 square meters consisting of 800 buildings and 9000 rooms. Once it was a palace to 24 emperors who ruled China during Ming and Qing dynasty. It is the fifth most attractive palaces in the world and it was nominated by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. 

Tiananmen Square: This is another important and must see touristic place in Beijing.

Tiananmen is the largest city square in the world with about 440,000 square meters which can accommodate one million people. Tiananmen gate is the highlight of Tiananmen Square and it is located on the north side of the square. Mao Zedong declared People's Republic of china on the rostrum of Tiananmen gate which is another highlighting feature of This Square. As a memory of Mao Zedong, a large portrait is hung on the rostrum with two red signs quoting" Long live the people's republic of China" and "Long live the great union of the people of the world."

The Great Wall of China: Needless to say that it is one of the most important touristic places in Beijing. Great Wall of China stretches for about 8,851.78 km from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west. It is listed as one among the wonders of the world and thousands of people visit this historical place every day. Ming tombs: Ming tombs are a tomb cluster of the 13 emperors who ruled Ming dynasty during the period of 1368 to 1644. This touristic place is situated in Changping County and covers an area of about 120 square kilometres.

Summer palace, Yihe Yuan: This is another touristic attraction of Beijing tour. It is the largest and best preserved imperial garden in the world. Highlights of Summer palace include Longevity hill area, Kunming Lake area and long corridor. These are just a few and there are many more touristic attractions such as temple of heaven, Beijing hutongs, Beijing Siheyuan, Beijing Shichahai etc. So, if you are planning for a Beijing tour, make sure that you visit these places.

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History of Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo was built at the very site of the Guangshan Temple under imperial order in 1906, and it was initially composed of a zoo, a botanical garden and an experiment farm of agriculture in the Qing dynasty with an area of 1.5 hectares, which boasts the earliest zoo that is open to the public in China.

The zoo was called Wansheng Garden (Ten Thousand Animal Garden) in the Qing dynasty and renamed Beijing Western Park in 1950, where a number of rare animals from all different corners of China were collected, including crossbills, redpolls, brambling, waxwings, eagles, turkeys, gray cranes, deer, wolves and leopards. In addition, 48 animals of 10 species from overseas were kept in the park in February of 1953, including the white bears, the white foxes, American lions and yellow vultures, and Beijing Western Park was officially renamed Beijing Zoo in 1955.

With more and more cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world, Beijing Zoo plays an important role in the international cultural exchange, where the number of animals has doubled and redoubled since 1970s, and many animals sent by foreign government are often exhibited in Beijing Zoo, including the serows from Japan, the lions from Africa, the flamingos from Chile, the beavers and rhinos from South America, the tapirs from Central America, the gorillas from Malaysia and the cowfishes from Caribbean. At the same time, a number of Chinese rare animals are presented to the U.S., Japan, France, the Great Britain, Spanish, Nepal, Australia and Sri Lanka by the Chinese government, including giant pandas, red-crowned cranes, white-lipped deer and white swans.

Now Beijing Zoo occupies an area of 90 hectares and boasts more than 10,000 animals of 500 species, which receive over 5 million visitors from all over the world each year. Based on the principle of "Developing Education and Protection simultaneously", Beijing Zoo functions as an inviting cards for introducing Beijing to the foreigners, and it's also one of the Key Culture Relic Units under State Protection, National Bases for Science Education and National AAAA-Level Scenic Areas in China.

As time goes by, the former experiment farm of agriculture is not what it used to be, and a number of attractions in Beijing Zoo bring out the best in one another, including birds, beasts, fishes, rockeries, bridges, pavilion, rivers and attics. Now it has become a comprehensive zoo with scientific research, education & protection, culture communication, scientific knowledge propagation, cultural relics and tourism combined as one perfectly, where the children seek their simplicity and the adults seek their long lost interests. Now Beijing Zoo opens its arms to welcome visitors from all over the world.

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Lose Yourself in the Everlasting Appeal of Beijing for a Great Vacation

Are you among those who like to travel back in time for digging the roots of the timeless tales that once existed? Do the olden times fascinate you deep within?

The retorts to the above stated questions would lie in the minds of those who are fond of history and have made unveiling the hidden tales of the times gone by one of their passions. They don't believe in letting time slip off their hands when it comes to travelling to a destination where they get to discover the ancient tales of the emperors or dynasties that once lived. If you hold the same notion like them, it's time you get up on your feet and book flights to Beijing. Beijing is the city whose historical background dates back to more than 3,000 years. Regarded as the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is one of the most popular and explored cities in the Asian continent.

Welcome to Beijing!

You would find plenty of reasons that largely compose the fact why Beijing is considered as the heart of China and why people take the Chinese capital to be on the top of their travel itineraries. Beijing is deemed to be the economic, cultural and political center of the country for more than 8 centuries since those times when the Yuan Dynasty began to spread its roots. It is a developed city of the country and is renowned for its unique history and culture. What's more? It has now become the prime hub of the travellers that witnesses over 10 million tourists taking to the air every year.

This breathtaking Chinese city is flooded with museums, palaces, old temples, beautiful gardens and the list does not come to a close.

Let's take a tour together to the below mentioned highlights in Beijing that are worthy of your visit, shall we?

1) The Great Wall of China - Your trip to the city would be deemed incomplete if you do not head to the majestic Great Wall of China. It is also known as Badaling Great Wall and is recognized among the eight wonders on the planet. Many history enthusiasts take cheap flights to Beijing from Heathrow to catch a glimpse of this incredible wall. It is the world's largest handmade structure.

2) Forbidden City - The Forbidden City is one of the most popular attractions in the city. It once used to be the home to tyrants and emperors 500 years ago. It is renowned as one of the most significant monuments in the world and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

3) Summer Palace - The Summer Palace has been recognized as the World Heritage Site and is well-known for its incredible ancient architecture. It includes pavilions, gardens, flowers and bridges.

So, grab cheap Beijing flights and feel the love for the timeless piece of history.

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Introductions to Tourist Attractions in Beijing of China

Beijing is blessed with rich and colorful tourist attractions, over 200 of which are open to the public, including the largest imperial court in the world - the Forbidden City, the temple for offering sacrifice to the Heaven - the Temple of Heaven, the imperial gardens - Houhai, the Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan Garden (or the Old Summer Palace) as well as Badaling Great Wall and Prince Gong's Mansion.

World Cultural Heritages in Beijing

Beijing ranks the No.1 city boasting the most world heritage sites in the world, whose number has reached 6 by the end of 2012, namely, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Zhoukoudian Peking Man Museum, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Ming Tombs.

World Geo-park in Beijing

Beijing is the first capital city boasting a World Geo-park in the world, namely, Fangshan World Geo-park. It is composed of 8 areas and highlighted by Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site and Yunju Temple, fully displaying the geological evolution history in North China over millions of years, which is truly a natural geological museum in the world.

National-Level Scenic Areas in Beijing

A number of national-level scenic areas are available in Beijing, including Badaling Great Wall, the Ming Tombs and Stone Flower Cave, among which Badaling Great Wall boasts the best section of its kind in China, the Ming Tomb Cluster is the most magnificent one of its kind in the world, and the Stone Flower Cave is considered as one of "China's Top 4 Karst Caves" in addition to Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, Yuhua Cave in Fujian and Yaolin Cave in Hangzhou.

Chinese Historical & Cultural Streets in Beijing

Two Chinese historical and cultural streets are available in Beijing, namely, Guozijian Street and Pipe Skew Street, both of which have a long history of over 700 years, and the former is famous for the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy on it, while the latter features Beijing local souvenirs and snacks.

Chinese Historical & Cultural Villages in Beijing

Beijing has 3 Chinese historical and cultural villages, namely, Cuandixia Village, Lingshui Village and Liuliqu village, each of which has its unique characteristic.

Tentative World Heritages in Beijing

There are 6 tentative world heritages in Beijing, namely, the Great Canal, the Pagoda Cluster in Yunju Temple, the Old Observatory, Beihai Park and Lugou Bridge, all of which are worth of your visit.

Shopping Spots in Beijing

Beijing is the only inland city ranked in the Top 15 Shopping Cities in the world, and it's blessed with over 100 large and middle-sized shopping malls, most of which are distributed on Wangfujing Avenue, Qianmen Street, Xidan Commerical Street and Zhongguancun Square. If you're interested enough in curios, Liulichang, Panjiayuan and Curio City are ideal places for you, where you can buy traditional Chinese souvenirs from cloisonné to clay figures and then to paper-cuttings.

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The Best Roast Duck Restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai

Roast Duck is the specialty of Chinese Cuisine. Though Roast Duck is available in many Chinese restaurants throughout the world, they simply cannot beat the flavor and aroma of the roasted duck served in China. This delicious dish has always been a part of the royal menu. Some restaurants especially known for serving the most succulent duck in Beijing are as follows

The Quanjude Restaurant in Beijing is the largest duck roast restaurant in the city; situated near the Hepingmen Gate. The restaurant features 41 dining halls and the well trained staff is capable of serving 5,000 meals per day. Quanjude Restaurant, traditional methods of cooking are followed which gives the various dishes prepared here a unique flavor. The restaurant opened in 1979 and has branches in various part of the city.

Da Dong Restaurant is one of the upscale restaurants in the Tuanjiehu Beikou area. It is a trendy restaurant with a pleasant ambience. The duck served here is tender and delicious and they carve it right in front of you. You can also enjoy other food items along with the duck. You can also order drinks from their extensive wine list. It is a bit expensive but worth every penny.

Jin Bai Wan Roast Duck Restaurant is also one of the restaurants in Beijing which serves the best duck roast. This restaurant has four branches in the various districts of the city and is known for its fresh and tasty food as well as comfort, convenience and service.

The Ya Wang Roast Duck Restaurant is another restaurant which serves roasted duck "fit for a king". This place has been visited by many famous personalities. The restaurant has four branches in Beijing.

Shanghai has several roast duck restaurants with Xindalu Restaurant in the Hyatt at Bund being at the top of the list. To create the distinct flavor, a brick oven has been imported especially from Beijing. Another thing imported from Beijing is the red date tree wood over which the duck is roasted. Rest assured, tasty, tender moist duck at par in flavor and aroma with the famous Beijing restaurants is served before the customers.

The Lao Beijing Restaurant is also located in the Bund and is quite well known for its tasty roasted duck. The place itself is quite pleasant and besides preparation, serving the duck is also an art.

Ya Wang Restaurant is also located in the Bund and is one of the restaurants in Shanghai which serve delicious roasted duck, crispy from outside and tender from inside. They also wrap up the leftovers for you to take home.

Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world!

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