As the May Day holiday approaches, seize the moment and embark on a journey to Beijing with your sunny best friend! Here’s a comprehensive yet effortless travel guide I’ve compiled for your upcoming adventure. Last week, I had the pleasure of exploring Beijing with my closest companion, and it was truly a delightful experience.
Hotspots in Beijing
- Tiananmen Square: Watching a sunrise here is a must-do activity in Beijing.
- The Forbidden City: The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, also known as the Purple Forbidden City.
- Temple of Heaven Park: The largest existing ancient sacrificial complex in China, featuring the magnificent Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and numerous other noteworthy structures.
- The Summer Palace: A royal garden from the Qing dynasty, considered the foremost among classical Chinese gardens.
- Prince Gong’s Mansion: The luxurious residence of He Shen during the Qing dynasty.
- Old Summer Palace: A renowned large royal garden from the Qing dynasty, where one can admire the remnants of the Western-style buildings and reflect on the grandeur and ruins of the past, remembering history.
- Shichahai: A renowned historical district in Beijing, boasting beautiful lakes, notable former residences, and distinctive hutongs.
- Lama Temple: The largest Buddhist temple in Beijing, with a unique architectural style.
- Jingshan Park: Ascending Wanchun Pavilion offers a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
- Badaling Section of the Great Wall: The essence of the Great Wall, exuding a majestic and awe-inspiring aura. One who has not visited the Great Wall is not a true hero!
- Tsinghua University/Peking University: Prestigious institutions of higher learning located close to each other, worthy of a visit.
- Bird’s Nest/Water Cube: Illuminated at night, they present a captivating sight.
- Universal Beijing Resort: The fifth Universal Studios theme park globally and the third in Asia.
Accommodation in Beijing
When choosing accommodation in Beijing, the preferred areas are within the Second Ring Road, especially the former imperial city areas such as Shichahai, Lama Temple, Chang’an Avenue, and Tiananmen Square. These locations offer a more immersive experience of the ancient city’s culture and convenient access for early morning flag-raising ceremonies. Alternatively, the Guomao area, being the commercial and financial hub of Beijing, is also a suitable choice, especially for those attending concerts or events near the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. For a more academic atmosphere, accommodations near Tsinghua and Peking Universities are ideal. It is advisable to select hotels within a 2-kilometer radius of a subway station for ease of transportation.
Delicacies of Beijing
- Beijing Roast Duck
- Zhajiang Mian (Noodles with Bean Sauce)
- Lu Zhu Huo Shao (Boiled Pork Intestines with Spices)
- Chao Gan (Stir-Fried Liver)
- Lao Beijing Shuan Yangrou (Traditional Beijing Hotpot)
- Baodu (Stir-Fried Tripe)
- Douzhi (Fermented Bean Juice)
- Jiaoquan (Deep-Fried Dough Rings)
#Beijing #BeijingTravel #BeijingTrip #BeijingTravelGuide #BeijingTravelTips
