"They call Beijing the "Green Capital of China"" China by Penelope4

China Travel Guide: 29,467 reviews and 82,907 photos

A very busy street - Wangfujing Dajie - China

My itinerary

First day in Beijing - June 24
Tian'anmen Square
Wangfujing Dajie

Second day - June 25
Juyong Guan (part of the Great Wall)
Ming Tombs
Tea Factory
Silk Factory

Third day - June 26
Summer Palace
Pearl Market
Temple of Heaven

Fourth - June 27
sites where Olympics were held in 2008
Mutianyu Wall
Yanqi Lake
Shichahai Lake
Visit to Hutongs

Fifth - June 28
Forbidden City
Jingshai Park
Behai Park
Wangfujing Dajie

Sixth - June 29
Yonghe Lama Temple

Why Beijing?

Summer Palace

I've always wanted to go to China but I didn't have time to apply for visa.

Not only do I consider China very significant to the world but I have some Chinese blood running through my veins. My great grandmother was 100% Chinese, you see. When I was about 9 years old, I skipped classes and watched rehearsals of Chinese Opera. I am not ashamed that I've done so because those memories are still vivid in my mind and made my childhood enjoyable.

And why visit Beijing in particular? Well, you know, I didn't make it to the Olympics (ha!) so I thought I visit the place when all of you VT members have written down your tips about your visit (ha again!).

Peking is very famous and I heard that English is spoken here than in any other part of China. I don't know if this claim is legitimate...This I can tell you - everybody spoke to me in Chinese!!! My eyes betrayed my roots.

So off I went to Beijing and boy did I enjoy much!

Mutianyu Great Wall

Beijing is green indeed! So many trees everywhere!

As soon as I checked-in, after freshening up a bit that is, I went out and headed for the Tiananmen Square. Well, my hotel's brochure says that it is walking distance. What walking distance - it was a 25-minute walk under a 39 degree sun (if you have a great hip, that is)! I was told that they haven't had heat wave for a long time. So I will write it as a tip: buy a map on your very first day! I think Chinese' understanding of distance is much wider in perspective than ours (more of heavenly terms perhaps). When I was sweating and all on my way to the Tiananmen Square it even occured to my mind that when the order was issued to build the Wall - everybody else thought it was a wall as long as our own walls at home.

Anyway, after getting sunburn and all, I reached the Tiananmen Square but that is another story. I came without a sunburn. I left with a sunburn. That's Beijing for me. But no regrets really. I so love Beijing!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Friendly people, great food, wonderful places, cheap transportation.
Cons:Too many people in the subway. Forget taking the bus during rush hours.
In a nutshell:It all started in Beijing...What you ask? You tell me!

Last visit to China: Jun 2009
Intro Updated Jul 17, 2009
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Reviews (14)

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Taxis in Beijing Transportation (3)

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Beijing Urban Rail Transportation Transportation (3)

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Warnings and Dangers (1)
Chinese sellers at tourist spots
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Comments (5)

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joiwatani Nov 1, 2009 at 7:07 PM

Yucks! Didn't their government asked their people to stop doing this? I read this stuff during the Olympics!
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SLLiew Jul 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM

Yes, I tried the "sour milk" in small pots - Chinese yoghurt.
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hopang Jul 13, 2009 at 4:06 PM

Excellent overview of the People's Republic of China especially on your transportation and local customs tips! ~ho & pang
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Dester Jul 8, 2009 at 4:15 PM

No tipping? Much easier to budget your trip...
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lindyz Jul 2, 2009 at 9:52 PM

Great tips Penelope. Im looking fwd to seeing some more photos! Glad you had a good time :) apart from your "Wall" experience. Thats why its good to book your guide, that way you go exactly where YOU want.