Hi, dear friends! I am Tracy Lee and work in beijingservice team. Here I like to share what I have learned about tours in Beijing.
Beijing Cuisine
When we talk about Beijing tour, we must talk about the cuisines in Beijing first. Old Beijing snack is very famous and popular by Chinese and foreigners. You can taste the different and delicious old Beijing snack on the Snack Street, such as Wangfuijing Snack Street, Donghuamen night Snack Street, Longfusi Snack Street and Ghost Street (Guijie). You can taste several special snacks that you never hear and never taste, like Shao-Mai (Shao Mai), Fried Pork Tripe (Bao Du), Fried Rings (Tang Er Duo), soybean cake and pea cake (Lv Dou Gao), Boiled Sheep's Head (Bai Shui Yang Tou), Mung Bean Milk (Dou Jiang), Fried Liver (Chao Gan) and Filled Sausage (Guan Chang) and so on. Local persons especially elders like them very much.
Except local snacks, you can taste the top class delicacies food in Beijing in high-class Chinese restaurants and western restaurants. The most famous of local flavor is Beijing Roast Duck. There are two famous time-honored brands. One is Qunjude Roast Duck restaurant and the other is Bianyifang Roast Duck restaurant.
Bianyifang was opened in 1416 and it is earlier than Quanjude. The difference between two restaurants is that Bianyifang is hang-grilled Roast Duck and Quanjude is stew-grilled duck. Eating Peking duck is seen to be one of the two things you are absolutely supposed to do while in Beijing. If this is the first time you visit Beijing, how cannot you miss to taste it? So have a taste and you will never forget its flavor.
Beijing Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the important parts for Beijing travel. If you like to stay in the comfortable hotels, you can choose some international luxury hotels like Sheraton, Hilton, Marriot and so on. If you like to save money and you can stay in the cheaper hotels like 4 star, 3 star and 2 star hotels.
You can easily choose hotels according to your budget. If you are a backpacker, it is really a good choice to stay in a clean hostel like No. 161 hostel, Qianmen Hostel and so on. Just remember that there will be one hotel suitable for you.
There are 3 hotels in Beijing which have more than 100 year’s history. One is Beijing hotel which was built in 1900 by French people, one is six country hotel (current name is Huafeng hotel) which was built in 1905 and lay a foundation by British people, and another is Dongfang hotel which was built in 1918 by Chinese people.
In ages of 20-30 of the last Century, the upper ten including statesman in political circles, commercial magnate and cultural celebrity like to check in Dongfang hotel. It is a 3 star hotel located in the downtown and it is really better choice for accommodation when you visit Beijing.
Beijing Airports
Beijing has two airports. And most foreigners just know the Capital International airport which has 3 terminals. And the other airport is Nanyuan airport in south fourth ring road which was most used for avion. Sometimes, it is used for some domestic flights. If you come to Beijing from abroad, you must arrive in Beijing Capital International airport.
Beijing Train Stations
There are three big train stations; they are Beijing railway station, Beijing west railway station and Beijing south railway station.
High speed train is available from 2010. You can take train from Beijing to other cities for travel one or two days or more and then return back by train. Transportation is very convenient under the government’s management. Our government advocated people to go out by bus or subway. Now more and more people choose bus and subway instead of private car. This is to allay the traffic jam and Air Pollution. And we will see the Beijing’s sky will be much bluer.
Subway and Bus Subway and bus is very cheap here. It is only 2 RMB (Chinese Yuan) to take the subway and 0.4RMB to take the buses for short distance if you have a bus card. If you have not the bus card, it is 1RMB for short distance.
Old and New Beijing
Beijing is a famous city with hundred years’ history. And there is much old architecture worth to visit. It is so lucky if you have chance to visit Beijing. If this is the first time for you to visit Beijing and only have 2-3 days, we highly recommend you to take the golden itinerary which will take two full days including Great Wall， Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace.
If you have more times, visit Beijing ancient Hutong is another better choice. You can take a rickshaw to enjoy the Hutong view and culture. Hutong likes a cyclopaedia. It reflects historical evolution and shows social amorous feelings. Visit the ancient village in the suburb will let you know desolation and lustration is another kind of beauty.
Except the old things, there are also many modern things here like Bird Nest and Water Cube, the” egg”- National Performing Arts Center also named National Grand Theater, new CCTV Building, 798 art factory and so on.
Shopping in Beijing
Let us talk about the shopping in Beijing. It is a pity if you do not take some special local products back to your home. It is advisable to buy some silk, pearl, Jade and tea in Beijing. They are in first-class quality and I am sure they are must much cheaper than your country. Why do not you take some if you like? You can also select some carpet and cloisonné jewelry or vase in the factory or in the mall or in the market.
There are three famous markets named Xiushui Market, Yaxiu Market and Hongqiao Market. You can bargain in these markets. I advise you to buy Jade and cloisonné in the factory. It is much cheaper than mall and they are truer. When you see the arts in the factory, you will say one word that is “amazing”. You will see workers how to make it. It is difficult and a little dangerous. In Jade and cloisonné factory, if workers are not careful, their figures may be hurt by machines.
Night life of Beijing
Amusement and night life is rich and colorful in Beijing. You can enjoy a body massage or foot massage or take the Hotspring when you feel a little tired. If you do not know how to wile away the time, you can go to the KTV with several friends. Some KTV offer lunch and dinner. You can sing there for a whole day if you like.
Nightlife is even more colorful. Either have a cup of coffee in the coffee shop, or meet new friends in the ball, or indulge yourself in a film….there are non-stop activities to have fun, fun and more fun! Just be your self and rejuvenate your way!
When we mention the night life in Beijing, we must talk about Sanlitun Bar Street also named Ghost Street. There are many small or large bars in Sanlitun. So we call it bar street. There are many persons especially foreigners. Someone sing, someone drink, and someone just seats there and looks at others quietly. Release your press and worry in the bar is a better choice. Of course, do not drink too much drinks. Except it will waste your money and it will also hurt your body health.
Another way to spend the night time is to enjoy a show, such as Peking Opera, Acrobatic show, Kungfu show, and the show of Beijing night and so on. Amusement and night life will make your stay in Beijing as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
I have lived in Beijing for 5 years and I like Beijing so much! She changes everyday. I sincerely invite you to come to Beijing. And I am sure Beijing trip will let your life no pity. The amazing culture wealth, history and natural beauty of this dynamic city will let you have a different memory in your life. When you return home, you will enjoy the fantastic experience of this Beijing trip. So, dear friends, come on! Wait for you here in Beijing!
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