Magical Mystical Beijing

A July 1999 trip to Beijing by akakd

Monument to the Peoples Heroes, Tiananmen Square Photo - Tiananmen Square,

Quote: Not particularly enamored with large group tours, we chose to embark on an independent journey to China. We managed fine on our own for most of the time, & hired a private guide & driver through MIR Corp. for some parts to enlist their expert interpretation.

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Magical Mystical Beijing

Overview

Quote:

With our family a little leary about our going, we embarked on an independent vacation to China & Thailand. We were in China just one month after the 10th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square student demonstrations & just two short months after the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. While we did experience a few incidents that were a bit unsettling (a man whispering to his little boy & the boy spitting @ us, a woman circling us & yelling in Chinese, a glass bottle thrown & broken behind us), we still were amazed @ the overall warm welcome & friendliness of the Chinese people. Everywhere we went (even in Thailand!) Chinese students wanted their pictures taken with us. I can hardly wait...Read More

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Jianguo Hotel Qianmen Beijing

Hotel | "Qianmen Hotel"

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The Qianmen Hotel is located about 1/2 way between Temple of Heaven & Tiananmen Square. This was a beautiful hotel. A full breakfast was served daily. The Chinese Opera played in a room dowmstairs. The Hotel had two restaurants, a grocery store, & three gift shops. The staff were attentive, friendly, & very helpful. We would definitely stay here again.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Jianguo Hotel Qianmen Beijing
NO 175 YONG AN LU
Beijing, China
86-10-63016688

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Bamboo Gardens

Restaurant

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We had lunch at the beautiful Bamboo Gardens. There were pretty little caged birds inside & out, along with grapevines laden with grapes on the outer patio. We ate inside, overlooking the patio. The sweet 'n sour pork was the best I've ever had in my life! We were brought enough food to serve a small army. We found chopsticks to be a bit tricky. They ended up bringing us forks.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Bamboo Gardens

Beijing, China

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Temple of Heaven

Attraction

Quote:

Temple of Heaven, built in 1420, was one of ancient Peking's (now Beijing) greatest temples. The round design of the halls, with their wonderful dark blue tiles, are symbolic of the heavens. Temple of Heaven Park is said to be the exact meeting point of Heaven & Earth. In ancient times, on the day before the winter solstice, the emperor proceeded to the Temple of Heaven to pray for plentiful harvests. The ancient annual procession to the Temple of Heaven was so sacred that the people of Peking (Beijing) could not cast their eyes upon it.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Temple of Heaven
Tian Tan North Rd.
Beijing, China 100050
+86 (0)10 6702 2242

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Summer Palace

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Attraction

Dragon Boats Photo - Summer Palace, Chengde, China

Quote:

Situated at the foot of Xishan Mountain is the Summer Palace, built in 1750. The area is a unique combination of natural beauty & exquisite architecture. Be sure to see the beautiful Long Corrider, which runs about a 1/2 mile along the lake. Chinese say that the Long Corrider is so long that couples who fall in love after they enter, set the wedding date by the time they exit! The main palace is situated on Longevity Hill, overlooking the pretty Kunming Lake. Stairs are steep up to the main palace. After seeing the palace, we enjoyed taking one of the colorful boats across Kunming Lake, with great views looking back at the palace.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Summer Palace
Kunming Lake
Haidian, Beijing, China
010-6288 1144

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Forbidden City

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Attraction

Forbidden City Photo - Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Quote:

I recommend you watch (or re-watch) the movie "The Last Emperor" before visiting the Forbidden City. It sort of sets the tone & gives the needed history. The Forbidden City, from which Ming & Qing dynasties ruled for centuries, is more than 175 acres & 9000 rooms of palaces, pavilions, courtyards, & museums--so allow plenty of time. Most areas were devoid of trees, scrubs, & flowers to prevent the possibility of dangerous people or weapons being hidden in them. The paving bricks were 15 feet deep, laid in opposite directions, to prevent any chance of an outsider tunneling in. Twelve million bricks encompass the compound. Can you imagine living in such a stark place with little vegetation? The v...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Forbidden City
North Of Tiananmen Square Dong Cheng District
Beijing, China 100009
+86 (0)10 6512 2255

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Tiananmen Square

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Attraction

Quote:

From Tiananmen Square (located in the centre of Beijing), all roads radiate out: North to the Forbidden City, South to the Temple of Heaven, East to Downtown & Diplomatic Sites, & West to the Summer Palace. Tiananmen Square is the symbolic heart of China & gathering place for the masses. At the far end of the square Mao's portrait stares out at you over the imposing "Gate of Heavenly Peace". Beyond those walls lie the Forbidden City, from which Chinese emperors once ruled. In the past, the famous portrait of Mao on the gate was accompanied by three other Communist icons: Marx, Lenin, & Stalin. Marx was pictured in a full beard, Lenin in a goatee, Stalin in a mustache,...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Tiananmen Square
Chang An Avenue
Beijing, China 100006

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Great Wall at Ba Da Ling

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Attraction | "The Great Wall of China"

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"...hiking the Great Wall of China is never an ordinary affair."--William Lindesay from Alone on the Great Wall. Said to be the only man-made structure viewable from the moon, you'll be absolutely awestruck by the GREAT WALL! We climbed the Wall, as many do, at Badaling, 42 miles northwest of Beijing. This is a grand section of the Wall, set in a steep, forested mountain range. Once you maneuver through the "Great Mall" of Souvenirs at the base of the Great Wall, you'll have a decision to make. The path to the right is the one most frequented by tourists & is an easier climb. The path to the left is less crowded, much steeper, & affords the best view. We chose th...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2001

Great Wall at Ba Da Ling
Yan Qing County
Beijing, China
+86 (0)10 6912 1235

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Chinese Culture Impacts our Daily Lives

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Story/Tip

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When you stop to think about it, Americans owe a lot to Chinese influence. From China we get such things as kites, Tai Chi, tangrams, Chinese Checkers, the Abacus, Chinese jumprope (though they use wooden bars instead of a soft rope--ouch to the ankles!), Calligraphy, many herbal remedies, accupuncture, Fung Shui practices, windchimes, firecrackers, dragons, & much much more. Our lives our most definitely enriched by things we've gained from this ancient culture. I am frequently reminded of a quote I have printed on bookmarks for my travel clients, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."--St. Augustine. I feel so fortunate to have "read" that page on China, to have exp...Read More