Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Beijing – Day 16 – 20


Back in Beijing, is our final stop. Here we’ll continue our exploration of this city and it’s surroundings before flying back home.


Day 1 – The Great Wall of China



On our first morning back, we should finally take a small trip outside the city, and go see the Great Wall of China.

There are a few ways to reach the wall, the best place I read should be at Simatai, should be a 2 hour drive by taxi from Beijing.

This should give you incredible views; take lots of water with you, cause I see that it could be quite a hike.


I think you get on the wall by cable car and you might be able to take a slide back down (that should be fun).

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Day 2 – The Ming Tombs



Again we’ll take another trip outside the city to see the Ming Tombs. This place sounds very peaceful and impressive at the same time. From what I read, this place is all about keeping with the spirit of “Feng Shui”, since I’m obsessed with everything “Feng Shui”, I got to see this.

It should take an hour by taxi to get there.

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Day 3 – Hutong District


This north part of the city has many old authentic Chinese alleys and it’s near the beautiful lake.


We’ll start our day with the Drum & Bell Towers located on the north.  We’ll start by climbing the tower, checking out the drums on the way up and then taking in the views of the city and the surrounding neighborhood.

Getting down from the tower, start walking towards Qianhai Lake, reaching the lake shore (path), start strolling towards the south end of the lake until reaching the Han Cang Restaurant where you should get your lunch and try the Hakka cuisine, the earthy food of China’s Guest People.

After lunch head back south until you reach Bei Hai Park.

Bei Hei Park is obviously a park, surrounding a beautiful lake in the middle of Beijing, stroll through the park, when you had enough, get back to your Hotel.

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Day 4 – The Lama Temple



Next morning, we’re back in the north part of the city starting off with the Lama Temple, a very impressive Buddhist temple with a huge statue of the Future Buddha (Point A).


Next, head south on Yonghegong St, and take a right on Guozijiang St.

Stop at the Confucius Temple, check it out, and then head across the street to the Confucius Teahouse for a nice noon tea break.


Continue on towards Jiaodaokou St and turn left, then turn right onto Ju'er Hutong St. - this is one of Beijing’s oldest and busiest alleys.

From here turn left on South Luogu Alley walk until you reach no. 108 and stop at the Pass By Bar, here you can get your lunch.

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Day 5 – National Olympic Stadium


On our last day we can’t leave the city without checking out the Bird’s Nest Stadium known from the 2008 Olympic Games. This structure has won environmental awards for all sorts of architectural designs within it and it’s a very impressive structure to see up close.



In the evening try to see an acrobat show, Chinese acrobats are known for being quite magnificent and it would be a shame to leave china without seeing some type of show.


This concludes for now our trip to Beijing and the north of China, I counted 20 days but not including getting to places and setbacks so I would add to the count 5 more days if you wanna do all I suggested.

If you have less time just skip the stuff you aren’t interested in.


Good Luck and Bon Voyage! :)