A flying tour around the cultural city of Beijing

A flying tour around Beijing

Beijing, formerly Peking, is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and the country’s second largest city. Considered China’s centre for culture, education and politics, every tourist can find pleasure in its historical and contemporary offerings. Beijing is one of the easiest locations to get to in China. Most international airports offer flights year-round, and the Beijing Train Station has regular trips from Moscow, Vietnam and nearby Chinese cities.

Getting to Beijing

Taxis can take you anywhere you need to go, and are relatively inexpensive. Bring brochures, maps or phrase books to avoid language barriers. Busses and Subways can be easy to navigate, though busses can be congested and slow. The newly expanded subway offers faster options for accessing popular places. Bicycles are increasing in popularity with tourists as a way to explore the city. Many hotels offer assistance with bicycle rental services, and bike routes are often scenic and conveniently located.

Traditional Beijing Attractions

The Great Wall of China is a structure of stone and earth that stretches for over 4,000 miles and boasts an equally impressive history. A must for any visitor is a trip to the famed Forbidden City which served as the home of the Emperor and the political centre of Chinese government for multiple centuries.

The Summer Palace, or the “Gardens of Perfect Brightness,” holds an impressive collection of garden architecture and artwork. Temple of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings used in the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies and prayers. Tiananmen Square, the site of several important historical events, is still used as a gathering place for political addresses and events.

Yingshan Forest Park. Lies on the outskirts of the city and is popular for its varied terrain of valleys and mountains as well as its huge range of plants and animals. Also just outside the city is Longqing Gorge, a well used skiing location.

Find souvenirs, bargains and knock-off’s in the Hong Qiao Market, or peruse the storefronts on popular Wangfujing Street. You can get back to nature at the world famous Beijing Zoo panda exhibit. Visit sub-culture and mainstream museums including the industrial-style of the 798 Arts District. The new Olympic Sports Centre Stadium holds all kinds of sporting and musical events and is worth visiting to view the spectacular structure its self. Beijing Centre for the Arts is a massive exhibition building offering an ever changing selection of all kinds of artistic endeavours from art exhibitions to live cultural performances.

Beijing Nightlife

Enjoy a meal at any of the seemingly millions of pavement food shops, or more westernised establishments or the city’s wealth of five-star restaurants. Dance clubs (discos), floor shows, bars and karaoke clubs are common near the Sanlitun Entertainment District. The Hou Hai Bar Area is a warren of nightlife that rolls on through to the early morning.

When to Go

Beijing is at its best between September and November when the skies are clear, the breeze is pleasant and the tourists are few. Spring is arid and mild with plenty of natural beauty to behold, despite the occasional dust cloud. Alternately, Beijing in the winter is icy cold, with northern winds contributing to temperatures below 0°F. Summer months are almost the exact opposite, as temperatures over 100°F are common mid-season.

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