booking has never been so quick
Your free pocket guide of
Beijing » WHY VISIT BEIJING?
• For the 2008 Olympics.
• To rent a bicycle and discover some of the
latest preserved hutongs.
• To get into a vision of early morning Tai Chi
practitioner at the ‘divine’ Temple of Heaven
starting their day.
• For an un-expensive relaxing foot massage
• To see a Beijing opera in a typical Tea
House.
WHY VISIT BEIJING - AT A GLANCE - HISTORY - CLASSICS TO SEE - WHEN TO GO - VISA - TRANSPORTS - SHOPPING&MARKETS
EAT - DRINK - NIGHTLIFE - GREEN AREAS - OUTSIDE TRIPS - EVENTS - TO KNOW - USEFUL INFO - BOOKS&FILM

Flashbooking Your free pocket guide of Beijing
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» AT A GLANCE civil war and the Cultural Revolution market district; Fengtai District; Republic of China with its capital at
With a population of 15 millions of 1966), China is now undergoing Shijingshan District. Beijing.
of people that live and gravitate a recent intense urbanization and » HISTORY THE NAME
around it, Beijing is China’s transformation welcoming foreigners Beijing first served as the capital Beijing literally means ‘northern capital’, a role it
second largest city after Shanghai. as investors and tourists and giving of a (more or less) united China in has played many times in China’s long history and
Whereas Shanghai and Hong local Chinese permission to set up 1264 when Kublai Khan’s victorious
in line with the common eastAsian tradition where-
by capital cities are explicitly named as such.
Kong predominate in the economic their own businesses. Mongol forces set up the city of Another Chinese city similarly named is
field, Peking is widely recognized Beijing, that has lately understood Dadu (Great Capital) to rule their NanJing, meaning ‘south capital’. At times in
history, the capital was declared to be NanJing
as the political, educational and the importance to preserve traditions new empire, from a northern location rather than BeiJing, according to whether the
cultural centre of the Country, with and historic places like exquisite closer to the Mongol homelands. then current powerbase lay to the north or south
a jurisdiction over 18 districts and yellow-tiled temples, parks and After the fall of the Mongol Yuan
of China. Emperor Wu was the first to declare
the site of Beijing as the capital in 1057 BC.
counties traditional hutongs…, nowadays dynasty in 1368, the capital was Subsequently, the city has gone by the names
represents a fast-growing dynamic moved back to Nanjing, but in 1403, of Ji, ZhongDu, Dadu, then finally Beijing when
the name was chosen by the Ming Dynasty
metropolis striving to get a western the 3rd Ming emperor Zhu Di moved Emperor ChengZu in 1421. Before 1949,
skyline. An unceasing raising of it to Beijing again and also gave the Beijing was known as Peking by the Western
buildings, shopping malls, vast city its present name.
world. Beijing was once again the capital only
when Mao ZeDong declared the People’s
international hotels, intricate This was Beijing’s golden era: Republic of China on October 1st 1949.
freeway system is probably what the Forbidden City, the Temple of
will impress you most. Together Heaven and many other Beijing
with some social progresses, this landmarks were built at this time.
urban development has brought Beijing remained the capital into the
a multitude of “western” problems Qing era and into the revolutionary
too: pollution, smog, traffic, frequent ferment of the early 1900s, but in
Beijing history as the Empire Capital “power-saving” programs are just a the chaos following the abdication
dates back to at least 938 a.C. Since few of them. of the last Emperor, Beijing was
that era, 5 dynasties, including the Some central Beijing districts: beset by fighting warlords.
Ming’s, have ruled the Empire until Haidian District (home of China’s The Kuomintang thus moved the
the collapse of the imperial regime Silicon Valley -Zhongguancun- and capital to Nanjing again in 1928,
and the formation of the Republic 39 universities including Beijing, renaming Beijing as Beiping
in 1911. After the turmoil of the last Tsinghua and Renmin Universities); (“Northern Peace”) to emphasize that
2 centuries which caused a lot of Dongcheng District; Xicheng District; it was no longer a capital. However,
sufferance to Chinese people (as Chongwen District; Xuanwu District the Kuomintang was eventually
the European military occupation, 8 traditional medicine); Chaoyang defeated by the Communists, who
the Japanese invasion of WWII, the District – 798 Art District and flea in 1949 proclaimed the People’s
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» CLASSICS TO SEE This is when people indulge in of the palace is opened, but some
The 38 kilometre long Chang’An their particular physical activities places are under restorations and
(Eternal Peace) boulevard that as Tai Chi, jogging, singing or even will be opened before 2008. Open
runs from east to west through ballroom dancing. daily all year. October 16th—April
central Beijing concentrates on Note: many tourist areas in Beijing are 15th 8:30am—4:30pm; Last Entry
under renovation for the 2008 Olympics. at 3:30pm; April 16th—October 15th
state, political and economic
For this reason some entrances are 8:30am—5pm; Last Entry at 4pm.
affairs. The central areas around
reduced for sights under renovation. More info at: http://www.dpm.org.cn
the Palace Museum (Forbidden Just be aware that prior to the Olympics
City) and city gates as well as the Tiananmen Square, built by Mao
there may be continued renovations.
lakes - ZhongNanHai, BeiHai and to impress, is the largest square
HouHai - have been designated as in the world. It is surrounded by
protected landmark districts that Soviet-style monuments and
retain the features of Old Beijing. government buildings, and houses
The Forbidden City at the centre Mao’s mausoleum on the opposite Temple of Heaven, located on south
is surrounded in concentric circles side of the Forbidden City entrance. east of Qianmen and the Tiananmen
by the Inner City and Outer City. Every day at dawn and dusk many Square, is not only a beautiful sight,
Citizens of higher social status were visitors (among them Chinese but also the greenest public park
permitted to live closer to the center visiting their capital for the first of Beijijng. Very popular with local
of the circles. Farther from the time) indulge for the flag raising and residents practicing tai chi, dancing
palace, and to its north and south, lowering ceremony. The Tianmen and other activities in the mornings
Forbidden City, also known as the Square remains an astounding and on weekends, the Temple of
were the commoners, merchants, Palace Museum, is truly the spot to
artisans and laborers. place and a very eloquent witness Heaven is home to many ancient
appreciate the might and grandeur of that infamous Spring 1989. trees, peaceful woods and amazing
A good place to start exploring of the Imperial Chinese court during
the city is Tiananmen Square, solitude (especially toward the
the height of its power in the Ming West Gate). The temple itself was
where Mao Tse Tung declared the and Qing dynasties. Get there when
foundation of the People’s Republic. the site where the emperor prayed
the gates open (around 8.30am) if every year for good harvests and
Today, the Square is more closely you want to walk through the vast
identified with the suppression of fair weather. It is easily reachable
and spectacular courtyards in by public transports: buses 2, 7, 17,
the student-led pro-democracy relative peace. Remember that this
protests of spring 1989. Another 20, 110, 120, 726, 803, 826 to the
museum receives over 10 million West Gate; or buses 35 and 106 to
interesting experience that will let visitors each year! Despite the
you feel a vibe of China’s ancient the North Gate. Park entrance ¥15;
transformation of the city around it, historical sights (like the temple)
traditions, is an early morning visit the Forbidden City remains mercifully
to one of Beijing’s public parks. ¥35.
relatively untouched. Only 2/5 area
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Maitreya Buddha carved from a single Beijing Botanical Gardens, just
piece of sandalwood. steps away from the east gate of
Fragrant Hills, in the north-western Fragrant Hill, offer acres of greenery
corner of Beijing, is a good place and flowers for those tired of urban
for weekend outings and picnics. smog and traffic noise. Sir Johnston,
Formerly a Qing imperial garden, teacher of the last emperor Puyi,
today Fragrant Hills makes an easy had a villa in Cherry Glen, a silent
short climb in the suburbs of Beijing. and beautiful retreat in the Gardens.
It’s also home to the Fragrant In the spring, the gardens hosts
Hills Hotel, designed by I.M. Pei special exhibits of tulips, peach,
(Louvre Museaum Pyramid). Take plum blossoms and peonies. Buses
buses 331, 726 to the last stop. 331, 726. ¥10, students ¥5.
The Summer Palace lies 20 kilo- Winter Palace or Beihai is a ¥10, students ¥5. From here, if
meters northwest of the center of good place to take a glance you like green, have a visit to
Beijing. It is the largest imperial garden at Zhongnanhai, the heart of the Botanical Garden, next door.
in existence in China. The whole Communist China. The counter part
Summer Palace covers an area of of a beautiful white pagoda of 17th
over 290 hectares including more than century and of a peaceful island in
3,000 buildings, such as halls, pavi- the middle of the park, is a skyline
lions, towers and so on. The Summer made up of giant Government
Palace used to be called the Garden buildings (PRC’s Ministry of
of Clear Ripples and is home to Defence and General Staff). Before
extensive gardens and ruins of palaces you leave the park, visit some small
constructed by the Qing emperors. We but beautiful gardens on the north
suggest you explore the quieter places bank.
on the west bank and back hill areas Yonghegong, also known as Lama
where there are some secret ruins, Temple or Palace of Peace, was built
caves, and other fun stuff. Summer by Chinese emperors who harboured
Palace has two entrances: one is a deep fascination for the Tibetan
the East Palace Gate and the other (Tantric) version of Buddhism. Over
is North Palace Gate. Most visitors the years many Tibetan and Mongolian
enter the garden from the East Palace monks lived and taught here, and there
Gate. Admission fees: ¥ 35; cruise are still monks in residence today. The
on Kunming Lake: ¥ 10 temple is famous for its 18m statue of
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The Hutong Villages of Beijing Hutongs (< from the Mongolian The hutongs in the vicinity of the » WHEN TO GO
most represent the traditional hottog meaning “water well’) are Bell Tower and Shichahai Lake Beijing has a continental monsoon
housing of Chinese locals. Some of narrow streets or alleys formed are especially well preserved and climate with clear-cut seasons.
the streets in the Qianmen Hutong by lines of ‘siheyuan’, traditional attracts many tourists. Best time to go is during Autumn
have a history of about 500 years, courtyard residences. 798Art Zone is a part of the Chaoyang with generous sunshine and fewer
with unchanged street layouts. The Many neighbourhoods were formed District and houses a thriving artist tourists are in town. Locals describe
Hutongs are the perfect place to by joining one siheyuan to another community, among 50-year old this short season as tiangao
get a glimps of Chinese daily life. to form a hutong, and then joining decommissioned military factory qishuang - literally ‘the sky is high
For these reasons, the Hutongs one hutong to another. The word buildings of unique architectural and the air is fresh”. Spring is less
are considered very valuable and hutong is also used to refer to such style. It is often compared with New pleasant - not many tourists but lots
are a popular tourist attraction. neighbourhoods. York’s Greenwich Village or SoHo, of wind and dust.
Unfortunately, the majority of Following the founding of the but faces impending destruction
Hutongs have been demolished to People’s Republic of China in from the forces driving Beijing’s
make space for modern buildings. 1949, many of the old hutongs urban sprawl.
The Qianmen area, for example, is were demolished and disappeared, The Museum of History and
undergoing aggressive restoration replaced by the high rises and wide the Museum of the Revolution
and gentrification that will continue boulevards of today’s Beijing. Some is on the east side of Tiananmen
through 2010. As a result some of the of Beijing’s ancient hutongs still square but until 2010 is undergoing
streets are blocked by construction. stand as more recently they have renovation and will not be accessible
Better see these typical Hutong been designated as protected areas until finished.
Villages with rickshaws that can in an attempt to preserve this aspect
weave in and out of their narrow of Chinese cultural history.
» VISA
As you probably know you need a
streets.
Visa to get into the Chinese borders.
L-visas for single or multiple entry
for tourists are valid for 30 to 60
days. F-visas for business travel
can be valid up to 6 months but may
require the visitor to leave every
30 days. They are good for single,
double or multiple entry. Those
seeking business visas must obtain
official invitation from a government
office or a company authorized by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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» TRANSPORTS of China’s major gateways. It is The bike! China truly is the ‘Bicycle Flea Markets
Following the economic reforms 28 km from the city centre, about Kingdom’, producing and using • Pan Jia Yuan Market, also
of Deng XiaoPing, the urban area 40 minutes’ ride by car. Taxi costs more bicycles than any other nation called the “dirt market” or the
of Beijing expanded greatly. The about 100 yuan. in the world. Cycling in China is a “weekend market,” this is China’s
traffic network now consists of five There are 4 railways stations in kind of life style for the Chinese largest and possibly its
concentric ring-roads (the outer the city: Beijing Railway Station people. Don’t forget that in the most entertaining open-
three are expressways; the 6th (ph. 5101 99 99), Beijing West traffic and in the narrow alleys of the air flea market. Most
Ring Road that is currently under (the largest; ph: 5182 6253), South Hutongs bikes are the best means people visit there at Saturdays and
construction), 28 radial roads (9 (ph: 63030031) and North Railway to explore the city and is a super- Sundays, and it is located near Pan
express ways), and underground and stations. Passengers may buy train individual way of transport by your Jia Yuan bridge, on the eastern third
suburban railways that are tickets from the ticket offices 10 own pace! Try companies like The ring road. You can find antiques (for
being further developed to days in advance or book by phone Bicycle Kingdom to rent your own the majority fake varieties) and large
improve links from the centre ( ph. 010- 51827188 from 9am-9pm bike. (www.bicyclekingdom.com) sections of modern porcelain, jade,
with outlying areas and every day) or internet (www.036. carved stone and wood, paintings,
surrounding towns, plus several com.cn ) 5 to 11 days in advance. » SHOPPING & calligraphies, second-hand
There are 3 different types of taxi furniture, used books, maps, Tibetan
long distance railway routes and an
charges (1.2, 1.6, and 2 yuan
MARKETS goods, ethnic textiles, etc. If you are
international airport. The opening up of Beijing to the
Public Bus and trolley Bus: you per kilometer) and they are very allergic to crowds avoid weekends.
West has had a profound impact on
need to keep in mind some numbers. convenient to explore the city. ( Call Bargaining’s essential. (Chaoyang
shopping. A wide range of consumer
Buses Nos. 1-200 and trolley buses the taxi centre: 010- 683 73399) District, Dongsanhuan Panjiayuan,
goods – both local and imported – are
run in the city ( 1 yuan per person); Subway: 4 lines criss-cross the 18 Huaweili; bus: 28, 300, 368, 607,
now available and there are many
buses Nos. 201-212 run at night; city of Beijing . Line 1, Line 2, Line 730, 810, 907;stop at Panjiayuan
bargains to be found throughout
buses Nos. 300-599 go to the 13 and Batong line. The latter two Station; open Sunday to Saturday
the city. The main shopping area
suburbs, charging according to the are city rails. They run from 5am till from 7am in summer and 8am in
is around Wangfujing Dajie and
distance covered. Air conditioned approximately 10 or 11 in the night. winter; 4am in weekends).
XiDan, where there are a number
buses starting with n. 8 are charged Subway entrances feature a gray
of department stores, including the
according to the distance covered. cement structure with a symbolized
Beijing Department Store, which
They usually run through the lamp box. A one-way ticket is about
primarily caters for the Chinese market
bustling streets. Buses starting with 3-5 yuan.
whilst ZhongGuanCun, often dubbed
n. 6 go to the residential areas…and Bikes and bikes! As always we
‘China’s Silicon Valley’, continues
so on. ( for details see www.bjbus. cannot avoid mentioning a healty,
to be a centre for electronics and
com). environmentally friendly, convenient,
computer-related industries. Most
Beijing Capital International economical, safe and fun means of
shops are open daily 9am-8pm .
Airport (010 645 63 604) is one travel transportation and recreation!
There is no sales tax in China.
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Antiques ring road, just beyond Pan Jia Yuan Try these 2 shops: Tongrentang, Clothing
• Liulichang: This market is market (see above). It’s a 4 floor Deshoutang both in Xuanwu District • If you wish to buy where
cram-med with ancient-style shops, white building housing the more in Zhushikou West Street, number Chinese buy, with the best prices,
reconstructed in a traditional way upmarket variety of Chinese 23 and 175. almost no need to bargain and a lot
and stocking a bewildering array of antiques, with prices to match. There of genuine goods, try the clothing
antiques and curios there are no are fakes and low quality items…so Technology Items market in Xizhi Men, next to the Zoo.
stoves any more but all antique stores, be aware. • Zhong Guan Cun is a must! Once there look for the new giant
selling Chinese painting, handicrafts, If you are looking for carpets you You can find almost everything from building standing just in front and
used books and other stuff. won’t need to look too much: it is speakers to computer parts at an walk behind it.
This place was the most popular one of the strongest business in astonishingly low price. It is located • Is you wish to buy silk then reach
and fantastic place in old Peking, the Chinese Capital! For Tibetal just a couple miles from Tsinghua SanLiTun YaShou Market (58,
but was closed in the 1960s. Though originals have a look at Torana University. Avoid vendors inviting in Gongti Beilu) with good prices and
it was re-opened in the mid 1980s, Gallery at the Kempinski Hotel. their shops. Remember that there is not so popular among tourists as
the original fantastic stores are a lack of standards in these items the Silk Street (8 East Xiushui Street
state-owned, no longer attractive Traditional Medicine and there’s no ‘return policy’. So at Jianguo Men Wai Dajie).
for local people. You can still find There is an abundance of traditional least don’t pay too much. Regarding • If you need very cheap items for
interesting things here. Note that Chinese Medicines stores in pirated CDs and DVDs, you can get your trip, see the leading Outdoor
antiques over 100 years old are Beijing. Most sell Chinese herbs, them for not more than 5 to 10 Yuan. Gear Stores Sanfo located in
marked with a red wax seal and an Wan, San, Gao, Dan and various Although quality is not too high, at different areas of the Beijing. (Try
export licence must be issued in formulated remedies. The materials least make sure you are buying the at Building 4, Entrance 5, Nancun,
order to take them out of the country. chosen are top quality and they say English version! Ask for “yingwen”. Madian. Take metro 2 to Zhishuitan;
In Chinese new year, there’s a 15 the production process is closely or bus 315, 344 or 345 to Madian.
day folk fair here. (get the subway scrutinized. Reasonable prices. The store is located southside
and get off at Heping Men Station). of Bei Sanhuan, west of Madian
• Liangmaqiao Collector’s market intersection. Or other departments
has been open for more than 10 at Jinzhiqiao Dasha, Guomen,
years and specializes in ceramics, Chaoyang District).
calligraphies, carpets, pieces • Xidan Market (West of Tiananmen
of furniture from ming and Qing square): in the area around
dynasties. (ChaoyangDistrict, 27, the subway station there are
Liangmaqiao Road; bus 413, 418, several large malls but there is also a
419,710, 757, 857, 090: stop at market which is quite good!
Anjialou Station)
-Gu Wan Cheng market is on the 3rd
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» EAT Here some typical dishes you can
The best way to eat good and cheap choose from:
in Beijing is to enter one of the omni- For a “street snack” try Jiānbĭng guŏzi,
present restaurants where the locals one of the most popular! It consists on
are eating and pick a few different a tasty pancake cooked with an egg
dishes from the menu. The main on a griddle and a fried dough crisp.
courses are very cheap so you don’t The whole thing is drizzled in scallions
have to worry too much to order different and a savoury sauce. Hot sauce is
dishes and taste everything. Beijing offers optional. It is something you can eat from
excellent value dishes from all of China’s morning till night.
eight regional styles of cuisine, not to Beijing is also known for its lamb hotpot
mention Korean, Japanese and all (shuàn yáng ròu), which originally
Jewellery We are mentioning this place just manner of western dishes too for a less came from the Manchu people and
• Hong Qiao is not far from because we believe important risky dinner! Especially considering that emphasizes lamb over other meats.
the Temple of Heaven: it worth to know several products and tipping is not practiced in China. Some Like variations of hotpot from
visiting for the state-run silk market aspects of a culture, but we don’t of the cheapest and delicious meals elsewhere in China and Japan, lamb
but more especially for the pearl sustain any trade of corals, pearls, can be had on the streets. hotpot is a cook-it-yourself affair in a
market in the opposite building. diamonds and all those products that steaming pot in the centre of the table.
increase slavery, poverty and natural Unlike Sichuan hotpot, lamb hotpot
environments deprivation! So think features a savoury, non-spicy broth.
before you buy! If that’s not exciting enough for you,
you can also request a spicy broth (be
aware that this is flaming red, filled with
Shopping hints
peppers, and not for the weak!). To play
it safe and satisfy everyone, you can
• Haggle is essential especially in touristy markets and shopping areas for
request yuānyáng for a pot divided down
common items
the middle, with spicy broth on one side
• Keep the “walking-away technique” as your last chance to get the lowest price!
and regular broth on the other.
• Exercise ‘collective shopping’: if you are with friends, try buying things at the
same time. Vendors are ‘obliged’ to make discounts!
• Starting your bargain at least with 1/3 of the price…still sounds good.
• Credit cards are not so extensively accepted especially in markets and in
the majority of shops but this situation is getting better as 2008 (Olympics
year) approaches
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Raw ingredients are purchased by If you like lamb, be aware you can have strawberries, and bananas, or dipped in parts of China, although addicts have a
the plate. In addition to lamb, beef, it on kebabs (yángròu chuàn). Grilled crumbled peanuts as well as sugar. We place to retreat now that Starbucks has
and seafood, this also includes a wide on makeshift stands all around Beijing, recommend this sweet snack on winter at least 50 spots in the capital, most
variety of vegetables, mushrooms, you can have a sample of them from time though as the haw berries are from situated around shopping malls and in
noodles, and tofu, so it’s also perfectly the late afternoon to late at night. Go the season’s crop. commercial districts of the city.
possible to have vegetarian hotpot. to Wangfujing that has a “snack street”
A dipping sauce, usually sesame, is selling such mundane fare like lamb,
served as well; you can add chilli, garlic, chicken, and beef, but the brave can
cilantro, etc, to customize your own also sample silkworm, scorpion, and
sauce. While “raw” sounds dangerous, various organs all skewered on a stick
boiling the meat yourself is the best and grilled to order. Yummie!
way to ensure that more risky meats Beijing Roast Duck (bĕijīng kăoyā) is a
like pork are fully cooked and free of famous Beijing specialty and it is well
germs. In the city centre, hotpot can run served at many restaurants, but there
as much as ¥40-¥50 per person, but on are quite a few restaurants dedicated
the outskirts it can be found for as little to the art of roasting the perfect duck. The most popular Chinese beer, which
as ¥10-¥25. Expect to pay around ¥40 per whole is also quite good, is Qingdao. You can
duck at budget-range establishments, get it for 10-20 yuan or just 2-3 from a
and ¥160-¥190 at high-end restaurants. street vendor whilst the
Beijing duck is served with thin main beer brand
pancakes, plum sauce and slivers of of Beijing is Yanjing
scallions and cucumbers. » DRINK (10-15 yuan at
You dip the duck in the sauce and roll Tea, tea, and more tea! You can restaurants, 2 yuan
it up in the pancake with a few slivers experience different ceremonies of tea on the street).
of scallions and/or cucumbers. The end at tea houses especially in the Qianman
result is a mouth-watering combination area south of Tiananmen. These can
of the cool crunchiness of the cucumber, range in price, and some tea houses are
the sharpness of the scallions, and the really tourist traps whose main goal
rich flavours of the duck. is to milk you of your money, so be
And to finish, a winter treat! Candied careful. You can get a free tea
haw berries (bīngtáng húlu) are a demonstration at most Tenrenfu tea
real season specialty dipped in sugar houses which are located throughout
and sold on a stick. You can also find the city and at some malls.
variations with oranges, grapes, Good coffee is hard to find in most
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Wine made in China are considered during an evening spent strolling In Beijing, that is now leading the country’s Men subway station. (220, Qian Men Xi
not drinkable by most foreigners, but it through this wonderfully welcoming city cultural revival, some teahouses He Yan Jie; ph: (10) 6303 3104).
is also true that it’s not their traditional that retains an intimacy one would find have recently reappeared showing a
drink…Just give them 10 years and hard to match. variety of Beijing Opera, martial arts » GREEN AREAS
they will come up with it too! If you Many Chinese art forms date back and acrobatics and where you will be Beihai Park the Central Park of
really want to have some good wine, centuries but most struggled to served delicious selections of tea and Beijing, has an 800-year history as the
you can try Great Wall that is the most survive following the Communist cakes. Although Western influences royal garden of the Jin, Yuan, Ming and
popular local brand, or get foreign revolution of 1949. Artists were have been embraced to transform Qing dynasties. The park is grand with
products, such as those from the US, organised into associations, traditional Chinese art forms into some beautiful plantings, a lake and
France, Italy, Australia, and Chile, but which meant that the Party contemporary pieces, it’s still possible paddleboats for rent by the hour (10
you will find them in more upper scale controlled every aspect, both creative to get a taste of some traditional yuan). Visit at 6 am to see hundreds of
restaurants. and administrative. Travelling theatre, such as story-telling to musical people doing Tai Chi Chuan. (1, Wenjin
Looking for hard liquors? Try Bai jiu theatre, music and dance groups were accompaniment, magic shows and St., Xicheng District; open daily 6am-
(white liquor) that comes in a large created to take the Party message to the acrobatics daily at the Lao She Chaguan, 9pm in summer, 6:3 am-9pm in winter;
variety everywhere for very cheap masses together with teams of 2nd Floor, (www.laosheteahouse. entrance:0.50 yuan; ph: 6404-0610).
prices and should be avoided if you projectionists showing reels of com ), Da Wancha Building, 3 Qian
want to have a clear mind for your ideological films. Plays written before Men Xi Jie (ph: (10) 6303 6830), and
visit on the next day. Mao Tai is one of the 1950s, films with human interest and at the Tianqiao Happy Teahouse, 113
the more famous brands but it is quite the Beijing Opera were suppressed and Tianqiao Nandajie (ph: (10) 6303 9013).
expensive. their creators persecuted until the end Do not miss the spectacular traditional
of the Cultural Revolution in the 1970s. Chinese acrobatics, which have existed v
» NIGHTLIFE Now many pre-Cultural Revolution art in China for two thousand years and
Nightlife in Beijing is kaleidoscopic - forms are performed regularly, as well cover anything from gymnastics and
from dizzying acrobatics, martial arts as modern versions, which celebrate animal tricks to magic and juggling. Coal Hill was formed from the soil
displays and street theatre to delicate ancient and current culture, as well as The most popular venue is the Wan excavated to create the moat around the
puppetry, outdoor ballroom dancing, ethnic differences. Sheng Theatre, Bei Wei Lu, just west Forbidden City. Located just north of the
the ubiquitous karaoke and trendy of the Tianqiao Happy Teahouse (ph: Forbidden City, the hill is now a park with
nightclubs. In addition, many shops in (10) 6303 7449). (For tickets see: www. the Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion at its
Beijing are open until 10pm and there webtix.com.cn or call (10) 6592 8449 summit. Nice flowers in season, good for
are restaurants on every street, often or 6594 9460). The best place to see strolling. Daily 5:30 am-9:30 pm in
with the choice of outdoor dining under the very popular Opera is at Zhengyici summer, 7 am-7:30 pm in winter.
red lanterns. Theatre, a beautiful 17th century (0.33 yuan). Other green places: Beijing
Beijing’s new-found confidence on building, originally a Ming Dynasty Jingshan Park or the Temple of Heaven (
the world stage is best experienced temple, located a short walk from Heping see Classics)
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» OUTSIDE TRIPS • Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Park)
• Great Wall of China: amongst is a public park at the foot of the Western
beautiful countryside is one of the tours Mountains in the Haidian District,
that any travel agent will offer you. 28 kilometres (17 miles) northwest
Some parts of the Great Wall are only of Beijing. Fragrant Hills Park is
an hour from central Beijing. recognized as one of the
Be wary: do not go for organized major tourist attractions in Beijing.
tours to the Great Wall in the 100-150 When autumn arrives, the
Yuan range that are advertised by natural scenery in the park turns
people handing out flyers around the spectacular, with fiery red smoke tree
Forbidden City (the real bus service to leaves covering the mountain side.
the Great Wall only costs 20 Yuan!). Every year, thousands of tourists ride
Also, the driver might just stop and set the cable cars through the park to see
you off before your destination. the hills in autumn colours. The grand
Only pay afterwards! opening of the annual Red Leaf Festival
of Beijing takes place there.
The Park was built in 1186 in the Jin In 1745, Emperor Qianlong (1711 to
Dynasty and consists of a natural pine 1799) ordered the addition of many new
and cypress forest, hills with maple halls, pavilions and gardens and gave it
trees, smoke trees and persimmon a new name, Jingyi Garden (Garden of
trees, as well as landscaped areas Tranquillity and Pleasure). Buildings in
with traditional architecture and cultural the complex have partially been burned
relics. The name derives from the park’s down. Among the surviving treasures
highest peak, Xianglu Feng (Incense are a majestic glazed-tiled archway in
Burner Peak), a 557 meters (1827 ft) front of the complex, a Tibetan style
hill with two large stones resembling terrace and a glazed-tiled pagoda. Bells
incense burners at the top. hung on the eaves of the pagoda chime
in breeze.
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» TO KNOW wanting to show you something.
• Air pollution could be a serious They are most likely scammers or » USEFUL INFO International Medical Center (IMC)
Room 106, Beijing Lufthansa Center
problem. If your throat and nose semi-scammers. Tea sampling is
another scam. It is free to sample 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
ache, we suggest you drink lots • Government: Communist state.
tea for locals! Take care when Tel: +86-10 6465-1561/1562/1563
of the local green tea (hot) that • Language: Mandarin
offered a ride in a rickshaw. Make • Religion: Atheist Fax: +86-10 6465-1961
will help you resist sickness from Location: next to the Kempinski Hotel
the bad air. Remember winter is sure you know where you are going • Currency: RMB (Renminbi). and the Lufthansa Shopping Center,
to be taken in advance, and agree a The basic unit of RMB is the yuan. and a 10-min. walk from the Kunlun,
the worst time to be there! It is
price in writing. • Time zone: GMT/UTC plus 8 hours Great Wall Sheraton, and the Landmark
advisable to purchase and drink
• Be wary of fake money: there are a • Telephone area code: 010 hotels
several bottles of purified water a
lot of counterfeit bills in circulation. • Police: 110
day. • Fire Department: 119
• Most Internet news is not AEA International Hospital
• Potable water is available only at • Ambulance and medical care: 120 Building C, BITIC Leasing Center
top hotels, so visitors should always censored like CNN.com but BBC No. 1 Xingfu Sancun North Road
• Tourist Hotline: 6513-0828
ask to make sure. News, The New York Times and • Local directory assistance: Chaoyang District, Beijing
• Prior to your trip, consult your Wikipedia usually are. Use a tool like 114 (Chinese); Tel: +86-10 6462-9112
doctor on immunizations you might anonymouse.org to access. 2689-0114 (English) Fax: +86-10 6462-9111
need (e.g. tetanus, typhoid, cholera - E-mail access through an Internet • Intern.directory assistance: 100
and hepatitis A and B) and about based email service is very helpful Emergency Room
malaria suppressants if you’re to have. In Beijing, most major credit cards are Tel: +86-10 6462-9100
planning to go to rural areas. accepted at major hotels, restaurants Location: a 5-min. drive or
15 - to 20-min. walk from the
Bring all prescription and over-the- and shops.
Lufthansa Shopping Center,
counter medicine you might Kempinski Hotel, Great Wall
require. Visa Card Hotline: 10-800-110-2911 Sheraton, Kunlun, and Zhaolong
• Tipping is generally not expected MasterCard Hotline: 10-800-110-7309 hotels
in mainland China. (only in certain provinces)
• Beijing is a very safe city. Beijing United Family Hospital
However, tourists are often The voltage is 220 volts, 50 cycles. No. 2 Jiangtai Lu
preyed upon by cheats and Come equipped with converters, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016
touts. Be especially cautious because a wide variety of plug types Tel: +86-10 6433-3960
in the inner city, around are in use. Fax: +86-10 6433-3963
Location: A 5-min. drive, or 15-min.
Tiananmen Square and on the walk, from the Holiday Inn Lido and
tourist-crowded routes to the Great Harbor Plaza hotels
Wall.
• Do not follow any “students”
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SUGGESTED BOOKS The Chinese New Year, which
T. Terzani - Behind The Forbidden Door: Travels in Unknown China (1985) takes place either in late January or
Wang Shuo - Please Don’t Call Me Human (1989) early February, is the most important
Amy Tan - The Bonesetter’s Daughter (2001) festival of the year. The build-up
Amy Tan - The Joy Luck Club (1989) to the festival is as frenzied as
Zhang Xiangliang - Half of Man is Woman (1985) Christmas is in the West, with
Jung Chan - Wild Swans (1991) parties, gift exchanging and streets
Lu Xun - A Madman’s Diary (1918) and houses decorated with lights.
Most Chinese celebrate the start of
SUGGESTED FILMS the New Year with their families.
Bernardo Bertolucci - The Last Emperor (1987)
Zhang Yang - Shower (1999)
Chen Kaige - Farewell My Concubine (1993) The Mid-Autumn Festival
Feng Xiao Gang - Sorry Baby (1999) in September or early October is
Zhang Yimou - Red Lantern (1991) celebra-ted by displaying lanterns
Zhang Yimou - Keep cool (1997)
in various shapes, such as animals,
Zhang Yimou - Not one less (1999)
and by eating moon cakes made of
Zhang Yimou - Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (2005)
Gianni Amelio - La stella che non c’è (Ita; 2006) ground lotus, sesame and egg.
Zhang Yuan - Little Red Flowers (2006)
Xiaoshuai Wang – Beijing bicycle (2001)
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS
Jan. 1-2, New Year’s Day
End of Jan/Feb.: Chinese New Year
March 8, International Women’s Working Day
Qing Ming firs week of April booking has never been so quick
May 1-2, International Labor Day
May 4, Youth Day Flashbooking is a hostels and budget hotels booker that gives all
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Mid-Autumn Festival: September useful links, info on social project we sustain, events and more.
Oct. 1-2, National Day. ©Trenet srl
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