Joanna James
Beijing is the fascinating Capital City of China with an ancient history of the forbidden city, Imperial Palace, the Ming and Qing dynasties etc. Yet it is rich in modern architecture and technology in the present-day drawing visitors from all over the world to discover these unique facets.
Spanning 180 acres this massive precinct with red walls and glazed yellow roof tiles sits majestically in the heart of Beijing. Undoubtedly being the main attraction in the capital it is comprised of over 100 palace compounds, buildings and is surrounded by a huge moat. The Ruling Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties had their large households within this Imperial Precinct. However, in the early part of the 20th century, it was transformed into the Palace Museum with the expelling of the last Emperor and remains an attraction drawing over 80,000 visitors a day.
Plan a tour from the central rickshaw rental centre at Drum and Bell Tower which is not far from Daxing District apartments as the Rickshaw is the best mode of transport to experience the Hutongs or the narrow local alleyways are fast diminishing in Beijing due to rapid development. Negotiate the fee beforehand. Witness the slower pace of living, enjoy an authentic Chinese meal from a traditional Chinese home and in a way help this community live better.
A profound symbol of the civilization and the enduring strength of the Chinese, this series of historical fortifications and walls ramble for over 13,000 miles. This also demonstrates the barrier held by the state to ward off foreign influences and maintain control over its citizens. At present, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its impressive architectural features and is declared as the only man-made structure seen from space. A much-favoured site of visitors from Star Apartment Beijing.
Introduce Beijing to your taste buds by experiencing some of the delightful items of food such as Peking Roast Duck at an open courtyard restaurant, flavour oozing dumplings in Huong, invitingly glazed doornail meat pies emanating delicious aromas and many more not forgetting those light and exquisite desserts to satisfy your sugar cravings.
The venue for Winter Olympics this year, the Olympic Park Beijing (Also known as Olympic Green) is a wide-ranging public activity centre at present. Discover some exciting features such as the Bird's Nest which is a unique steel structure created for the 2008 summer Olympics and the Water Cube which is a massive cube having shapes of soap bubbles on it, which under light at nightfall turns into a massive blue cube.
If you enjoy evening activities, there are many colourful options available such as Acrobatic Shows, Peking Opera, Teahouse shows and many more. You can just enjoy the show only or couple it with an amazing Beijing Duck Dinner.
Reputed as the 'garden of gardens, this Summer Palace of the Qing Dynasty was a heavenly royal garden with not only greenery and blooms but also lakes, waterworks, and streams providing multiple scenic spots for relaxation and leisure. However, a fire destroyed the beautiful gardens and the glory of the palace leaving ruins that can be witnessed today.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
