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Great wall Meijiawu

Hello there ! 
In this article, I’ll introduce you Beijing, the capital of China. For the last 3000 years, Beijing has been the theatre of Chinese culture, politics, education, economy, history, and technology. This is in 1420 under the Ming Dynasty that Beijing became the official capital of China. Bejing or Pékin is the capital of China. The city is located in the northern part of the country, 北 (Bei) means North, and 京 (Jing) means capital in Mandarin. Shanghai is about 1200 km south of the capital, both cities are linked by rail, road, and flights.

Beijing Temple
to do

What historical sites to visit in beijing ?

Beijing has 7 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Forbidden city
  • The Forbidden City (1420)
  • Temple of Heaven (1420)
  • Summer Palace (1750)
  • Ming Tombs (1420)
  • Zhoukoudian (Archaeological site)
  • Great Wall (from 220 BC)
  • The Grand Canal (1,794 km, From 5th century BC).

1 - tHE FORBIDDEN CITY

The Forbidden City, 紫禁城 Zíjinchéng = ”Purple Forbidden City”, is an emblematic site in Beijing, the main entrance is in front of Tiananmen square. Built under the Ming Dynasty its opening was in 1420, a symbolic date for China as Beijing became the new official capital. Imperial Palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. (1420-1912)

Common name:  Gùgōng (故宫)

Forbidden city
Take the stairs
Forbidden city
Forbidden city
Take the path

2 - THE GREAT WALL

The Great WallMutianyu section. I was there in the summer of 2015, we took a bus at that time, it was not direct as we have to get out before arriving in Mutianyu. We stopped in the middle of the road where drivers were waiting for us and asking a lot of money just for 10 min drive. their price was RMB 200 per person ( round trip). After few years in China, you get used to bargaining. The final price was RM 30/person. the driver took us to the ticket office and we asked to be back around noon. He was there and took us back to the bus station.

I would recommend this website, it seems they have updated information regarding the transportation from Beijing to Mutianyu.

Great wall Meijiawu
Great wall Meijiawu
Great wall Meijiawu

3 - THE temple of heaven

Temple of heaven天壇  Tiāntán, gather religious buildings where the emperors from Ming and Qing Dynasties were present at annual ceremonies to pray heaven for good harvests. The complex was built from 1406 to 1420 under the reign of the emperor Yongle. The architecture and paintings are worth visiting.

temple of heaven Beijing
temple of heaven Beijing

4 - THE summer palace

Summer Palace, 頤和園 Yíhéyuán, imperial garden under Ming Dynasty (1494) has the particularity of gathering palaces, gardens & lakes. Built-in 1153 by the Jin dynasty it has been abandon for centuries. You will find beautiful architecture from ancient China, paintings on the walls full of colours, stunning views on the lake & peaceful gardens. If you can spend all day, just do it.

Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
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What to eat in beijing ?

1 - Beijing duck

Enjoying Beijing Duck, 北京烤鸭 Běijīng kǎoyā, is the “must-eat”. A traditional dish, the duck is roasted for few hours before being served. The thin & crispy skin will melt in your mouth. The duck meat is tender and perfectly cooked. The proper way to eat is to prepare the bread with the sauce and vegetables, add the meat and roll them. I recommend Da Dong 大董烤鸭店, this restaurant is also in Shanghai.

Da Dong - Beijing Duck

2 - Dong Hua men night market

Dong Hua Men night market (东华门) if you are looking for some exoticism & bet with your friends about what they are able to eat, then this is the place to be. Chinese people are not eating insects or strange animals daily, this is not in their culture.

Dong Hua Men night market
Dong Hua Men night market
Dong Hua Men night market

Tips for your trip :

1 Make sure to bargain, but not for food.

2 Beijing is really big, buses are very convenient to use. Download Baidu map

3 –  Download a VPN before flying in if you want access to Whatsapp, Facebook, IG, and Google.

4 When giving the destination address to the taxi driver, provide the cross street name. For example, You are going to 30 Beijing Lu. mention the cross street, Shaanxi Lu. Lu means road in mandarin. 

View on Ham tin Beach from hiking path
Ham Tin Beach

Where to find the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong ? Here a list of four beaches to discover in Sai Kung accessible by boat or hike :

1 – Tai wan Beach

2 – Ham Tin Beach

3 – Sai Wan Beach

4 – Tung Wan Beach

Which one is your favorite beach ? If you want to hike on Hong Kong Island Here and Here.

Enjoy,
Xxx

Cecile

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