Red lanterns glowing in the dark right down the Ghost street; ancient structures overwhelm the visitor with awe : Beijing proves to be the city of your dreams. So if you are thinking about checking out the city of Beijing while watching the 2008 Olympic games. I am sure you are thinking: What’s there in Beijing? Well, plenty to see if you are a traveler in this part of the world. It’s going to be a bigger version of chinatown in New York.
What’s there to do in Beijing?
For starters, lets try the Forbidden city. If you are in the city, you must check this out. This is not quite forbidden anymore. It is advised that you arrive early when the gates open early in the morning around 8:30.
History and facts of Forbidden City:
This was the city center back in the day during the Ming and Qing dynasties. At night it looks a lot like the Kolkata puja pandals (to put an Indian perspective on this). This is basically a palace complex with a 30 feet high wall all around.
Next up is the Temple of Heaven. This is the largest Chinese temple. Even though exotic names are a part of any Asian culture, the Temple of Heaven is by far the most exotic in nature. This temple served the city mostly during the harvest season. Now it only increases the city revenue by attracting tourists. People came here to pray for better harvest than last season. The temple has a superb display of architecture and organization.
Also, if you are in Beijing, please don’t leave without visiting the Great wall of China. I think that this is the best part of the Beijing trip.
History and facts of the Great wall :
The construction of this wall began back in 221 BC. Many parts of this wall were already done. Emperor Qin Shihuang saw that if all the dots on this wall were connected, it could bring China together. The most amazing thing is that this is one landmark that can be seen from space.
When to Visit Beijin?
The best time of the year to visit Beijing is summer. The exact time frame is between the months of June and September.
Major Chinese provinces: Guangdon, Hainan and Yunnan
Good eats in Beijin:
Bad food can completely mess up your vacation. So here’s some advice from the pros. If you are looking for a more or less upscale restaurant in this town, Ghost street for lunch. Spicy crawfish, duck, etc. are available for lunch.
For dinner, try the restaurant on South silk road for a delicious Chinese cuisine(3rd Floor, Bldg. D, Soho New Town, 88 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang; 6615 5515). China has about 50 plus ethnic dishes. So it’s time to get your appetite growing.
Also, if you want to chill with your buddies and talk about your trip in and around Beijing drop in at the Pass-By Bar (Nan Luogu Xiang 108; 8403 8004) for a drink.
So China seems to be gearing up for the 2008 games which is great. Come on down to Beijing and hike up the Great wall or you can even think about taking lessons in Mandarin.
Image Credits: Telegraph, and Destination360
