Owner: Beijing Visitor URL:http://beijingvisitor.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:06:37 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Tourist and resident information on China's capital, Beijing, for the 2008 Olympics and beyond. Site statistics:Click here
Jingshan Park 2007-05-14 04:05:57 景山公园 Immediately across the road from the north entrance to the Forbidden City lies Jingshan Park. Jingshan Park is also known as Coal Hill. It owes its existence to the moat built around the Forbidden City in 1420. Not only did the park provide somewhere to store the soil dug out of the moat, but it was planned in line with fengshui practice to protect the palace from the northern winds. An interesting story about Jingshan Park is associated with the Ming Dynasty because the last emperor hung himself as Manchu troops came to Beijing. There is a marker and notice board with the story on the eastern path in the park. Climbing to the top of the hill offers wonderful views across the Forbidden City. Early morning is the best time for photographs. The park is full of surprises and treats. During the springtime it is a blaze of colour with the flowering of thousands of peonies. Wander around the park and enjoy the many huge, delicate blooms that these plants produce in a range of pi
Beijing Traditional Toy Making 2007-05-21 15:12:18 Within the city near the Confucius Temple there are a small number of craftsmen who are continuing on the tradition of toy making. As you enter the temple street, opposite the Lama Temple, you will pass through a traditional Chinese gateway and into a quaint little tree lined street. As you wander along the street you will find a traditional tea tasting shop, coffee shops and a small hall where locals rehearse with their traditional musical instruments. You will certainly hear them if they are rehearsing. Don't miss the small shops selling souvenirs from around China where you can find a range of treasures.Products include beasts made from cloth, painted kites, and clay figures. There is a tiny shop near the Confucius Temple in Beijing
’s Dongcheng district run by Lian Daxing.Guozijian JieDongcheng DistrictFurther along the street is Shengtangxuan run by the Tang family who make paper and cloth kites, Manchurian clay toys and Beijing Opera masks. Tang Qiliang is a Manchurian in his Read more:Traditional
Carpets, furniture, stoneware and other crafts 2007-05-21 15:10:38 Carpets, Traditional Chinese furniture, stone ware and other craftsPeople with an interest in carpet shopping have an outstanding opportunity to save themselves a lot of time, money and running around if they pay a visit to Xu Antique Carpets. Mr Xu has collected genuinely old carpets from across China and other famous carpet regions of the eastern world including Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kashmir. He has been collecting thousands of these old carpets from around China amassing a collection so famous sellers from Tibet and Xinjiang come to buy their carpets from Xu Antique Carpets to sell in their home regions.Meeting Mr Xu will give you the opportunity to talk about his most prized carpet, one previously used by the Dali Lama, now valued at around US$3 000 000. You may even have the chance to enjoy seeing this much prized carpet.If you have your own carpet pattern in mind, take it along and have Mr Xu’s staff weave the carpet for you. Prices vary according to the quality Read more:Carpets
St. Michael's Church 2007-05-29 08:17:57 St. Michael
's Church
, also known as Dongjiaomin Catholic Church in the Foreign Legation Quarter, a 15 minute walk east from Tiananmen Square, was built in 1902.The twin-spired, Gothic-style church served as the place of Christian worship for the French community of Beijing. The church was closed in 1958 and did not reopen again until 1989.The church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows. Mass is held from 6.30am on weekdays and at 7am, 8am and 6pm on Sundays. English services are held on Fridays and Sundays.St. Michael's ChurchDongjiao MinxiangTel: 651 35170Sunday Mass: 7.00am, 8.00am, 6.00pmWeekday Mass: 6.30amHotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Post China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Coffee break 2007-06-03 03:23:05 Take a coffee break at Arts Coffee
Haven down by the Confucian Temple, a few minutes walk from the Lama Temple off the second ring road.Wang Hai Yan, the owner and artist, established the business some 12 years ago to offer something different to other coffee shops in Beijing. This coffee shop blends coffee and art with its unique décor. You can sit back and relax in a variety of settings from seats by the window to armchairs at the rear of the shop.The drinks menu offers a choice of Fair Trade coffee or Illy coffee in a range of styles. Also on the menu is a variety of beer, wine and spirits. Food on offer includes sandwiches and pizza, offering great quality and flavour at reasonable prices. Mini pizzas cost 15 yuan, while sandwiches range from 25 to 35 yuan.Set on a beautiful tree lined street, it makes an easy venue to sit back and relax out of the heat of the summer sun as you watch a great variety of passing transportation, ranging from people power to gas or oil powered vehicle
Weddings 2007-06-03 02:59:54 Celebrating a wedding with the local population is indeed a great honour and something very enjoyable. As guests one is made to feel very welcome.There are many variations of the celebrations. Traditionally they start with fire crackers, lots of confetti, noise, dancing and walking to the celebration point. Alternatively, they may start with everyone meeting in a park or a beautiful setting and greeting the bride and groom outside.At this point the bride is often dressed in a white western style gown and the groom dressed in a western style suit.After this, if you are not already indoors you will either move indoors or move to a marquee, to enjoy ceremony, speeches, food and drinks.Depending on the wealth of the families involved you will see the bride and groom in various outfits during the celebrations. Some weddings involve the happy couple appearing in traditional costumes to exchange greetings and vows according to centuries old traditions; this really is something special to enjo Read more:Weddings
Ming City Wall Ruins Park 2007-06-17 22:40:59 Running along the northern side of Chongwenmen Dongdajie from Chongwen Men to the South East Corner Watch Tower is the reconstructed Ming City Wall Ruins
Park (Tel: 10 6527 0574).The 1km-long wall south of Beijing Railway Station was rebuilt with both original and new stones fitted using a traditional lime-and-plaster cement.Opened in 2002, the landscaped park is free to enter and a pleasant place to stroll after visiting the Watchtower. The wall is illuminated after dark.Along with Huangchenggen Relics Park, (Imperial City Wall Relics Park) in downtown Beijing, the Ming City Wall Ruins Park are the only two surviving sections of Beijing's original four Ming Dynasty walls: the Forbidden City wall, the Imperial City wall, the inner city wall and the outer city wall.AccessChongwenmen Subway Station (Circle Line)Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing Beijing Park China Ming Wall China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Strange Beijing street sign 2007-06-21 10:19:43 Most pictorial street signs are predicable and straightforward: no parking, no stopping, lanes merge, dead end, give way, no horns, children crossing, etc.However, this road sign seen in central Beijing
is decidedly more unique, and leaves a little more to the imagination.'No untuned engines'?, 'Stay calm'?, 'No naked flames'? 'No car bombs'? The last one is probably getting hot (so to speak). It no doubt prohibits the carrying of explosive substances, showing that the concern about terrorism is not just an English-speaking thing.Significantly, the sixth meeting of Joint Liaison Group between China and the United States on law enforcement cooperation took place just last week.Just before it opened, FBI assistant director Thomas Fuentes said the FBI was working with Chinese security officials to keep "East Turkistan" groups in China's northwest territories under surveillance. These groups engage in sporadic terrorist activities and are suspected of having links with al Qaeda.Ho Read more:Strange
Beijing Street Signs 2007-07-06 03:38:17 Beijing street signage is written in both Chinese characters and English.Street
signs are blue and white.Metro signs are also blue and white.The post boxes are green. 外埠 is for mail sent outside Beijing; 本埠 is for Beijing mail.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Post China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
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Beijing Modern Architecture 2007-07-12 04:39:10 Beijing is fortunate to have some fascinating examples of ancient buildings dating back hundreds of years, thus allowing us to have more insight into the history of China, and particularly the life of China's emperors.However, Beijing is not just famous for its ancient historical buildings such as The Forbidden City and the Great Wall. More recently Beijing has incorporated dynamic examples of modern architecture into its urban landscape.Driving along the east 2nd Ring Road (Dong Er Huan Lu) offers a range of interesting examples of modern architecture surrounded by beautiful roadside landscaping and gardens.Examples such as the new Poly Plaza building, Beijing Olympics Media Centre and CNOOP building all stand out.If you take the time to walk around the small Olympic Park area (identifiable by its tall gold flame surrounded by a gold ring) you will have opportunities to see these buildings close up, as well as visit a small mosque tucked away behind the small Olympic Park.Walking fur Read more:Beijing
, Modern
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Beijing Restaurants 2007-07-29 07:51:42 Beijing RestaurantsBeijing has over 50,000 restaurants. Recent winners of ‘That’s Beijing’ 2007 Reader awards include the following:Da Dong Roast Duck (best Beijing duck)Classy décor and great food – make reservations!1) Building 3Tuanjiehu BeikouEast Third Ring Road(south east corner of Changhong Qiao)Chao Yang DistrictTelephone: 65822892Open 11 am to 10pm2) Building 1 – 2,Nanxincang Guoji Dasha,A22 Dongsishitiao,Dongcheng DistrictTelephone: 5169 0329Open 11am to 11pmTaj Pavilion (won best Indian restaurant)1) 3/F Holiday Inn Lido,Jiangtai Lu, Shoudu Jichang Lu,Chaoyang DistrictTelephone: 6436 7678, 6437 6688 ext 3811Open 11.30 – 2.30pm, 6 – 10.30pm2) 1/F West Wing China World Shopping Mall(next to KFC)Chaoyang DistrictTelephone: 6505 5866Annie’s Café (won best Italian) 1) 16 Dongsanhuan Lu (next to CD Jazz Club)Chaoyang DistrictTelephone: 6503 3871Open 11am – 11pm2) A1 Nongzhan Nanlu(near west gate of Chaoyang Park)Chaoyang DistrictTelephone: 6591 1931Open 11am Read more:Beijing
Beijing Olympics - One Year To Go 2007-08-08 09:02:39 It is exactly one year from today that the 2008 Olympic Games will begin in Beijing
.The city still faces problems of possible air pollution for the Games as construction of many new buildings and skyscrapers continues apace, some of them new stadiums for the Games themselves.Temperatures in Beijing today were around 34 degrees Centigrade with 89% humidity - tough conditions as it is for athletes competing outside, not taking in to account pollution as well.Surging economic growth across China and a spectacular rise in car ownership has lead to a worsening in air quality in China's main urban areas.Despite Beijing's many parks, car exhaust emmissions remain a problem especially in the summer and autumn.When Beijing officials ordered about 800,000 cars off the road for three days in 2006, nitrogen oxide air pollution fell by about 40%. Vehicle bans are expected during the Games next August.Olympic TicketsHotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Olympics
Olympics Tic
Hotel Accommodation In Beijing 2007-08-17 00:08:09 Examples of accommodation and rates available are listed below. Hotel
s charge 15% surcharge on top of the quoted rates. Hotel rates are constantly changing and are likely to increase closer to the Olympics. There are hundreds of hostels and hotels available in Beijing
, so those listed below are only the 'tip of the iceberg. Further examples can be found by visiting some of the following sites:Hotels in Beijing - BookingsHotels in Beijing - AgodaHostels in Beijing - HostelworldBeijing Hotels - Accommodation
OnlineHotels in China - HotelclubBook Hotels in Beijing - HotelsCentralRemember to ask for cheaper rates than those first quoted to you by the hotel, if you simply walk in off the street to book accommodation in any hotel.Budget Accommodation Red Lantern HouseFound in Zheng Jue hutong, guests will find a relatively new and clean guest house with shared facilities. Red Lantern House is a 15 minute walk from Jishuitan subway station. Expect to pay 60rmb/bed, or doubles 180 – 240rmb.
Internet Access in Beijing 2007-08-16 21:57:16 Internet Access
Internet cafes can be found around Beijing
. The local term is "wangba". Prices vary between 5 – 10rmb per hour. Large hotels also offer internet access through their business centres, at a much higher price. Cafes and coffee shops like Starbucks offer Wi-Fi access, some even for no charge, on the assumption you will buy their drinks. A list of locations can be found at:chinapulse.com/wifiYou may also choose to connect using the GPRS network via mobile phone or computer. This is much faster, but prices are much higher. China Mobile has counters in the airport as you arrive, or call them on 1860 or China Unicom Service Center on 1001 for more information. Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Post China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
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Beijing Smog 2007-08-22 08:22:15 Beijing Air QualityThere has been a lot of press in foreign newspapers about Beijing’s air quality and Beijing's ability to provide clean air for the Olympic Games in recent weeks.The Beijing government has just these last 4 days trialed a system of restricting traffic on the city's roads, using the odd and even number plate system for cars on alternate days. The campaign has worked very well to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads. Travel times around the city have been significantly reduced.Whether the Beijing government wanted to use the campaign to study the impact on air quality of to simply trial their ability to improve commuting times around the city is open to question. If the government wanted to see the effect on air quality, it will have undoubtedly noticed visual air quality within the city has taken a marked turn for the worse during these 4 days where traffic volumes have been halved, using the odds and evens system. The smog has been the worst seen in the city Read more:Beijing
Great Wall Hiking and Camping 2007-08-20 20:51:51 Tour companies offer a range of hiking and camping tours on the Great
Wall.China Adventure Tours is one such company, see cnadventure.com or call 51669102.Hikes are run on various sections of the Great Wall
including Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Simatai. A 5 day camping trip can cost about 1700rmb while a day trip may cost 420rmb, including transfers, guide and entrance tickets.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Great Wall China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
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Beijing Population 2007-08-22 22:49:13 According to the official Chinese Xinhau News Agency the population of Beijing
has risen to 17,140,000 inhabitants.The total includes 12.04 million permanent residents holding the Beijing hukou (户口) household registration permit and 5.1m migrants. Beijing has approximately 50,000 births each year, expected to rise this year due to the belief that the "Year of the Pig" is an auspicious year for having children.The local authorities have set a ceiling of 18m for Beijing's population from 2020. Beijing's large population is straining the city's natural environment and resources with 14m people quoted as the figure that the city can feed.Beijing's canine population is also on the rise along with China's growing middle class with a total of 703,879 registered dogs, despite expensive licensing fees and a limit on one dog per household in the city.Beijing is China's second largest city after Shanghai.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China TravelBook the C Read more:Population
Construction continues 2007-08-30 07:39:01 Bird's Nest Stadium Construction
As August 2007 ends, construction of the Olympic venues continues in full. Venues within the Olympic Park area are the scene of much activity. This morning workers had climbed on top of the Bird’s Nest Stadium as they carried out their jobs, adding some of the smaller pieces to the puzzle.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Post China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
View to Olympic Village 2007-09-26 20:25:30 Beijing has so many famous landmarks to see and enjoy, yet at the same time Beijing’s air is a frequent impediment to being able to sight those famous landmarks. Perhaps the Olympic
s will be a time when the air quality unveils many frequently unseen sights for all to enjoy.At right is the view of the Olympic Village
from Beijing's Bell Tower.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Bell Tower Olympic Village China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Sandstorms strike Beijing 2007-09-26 05:52:21 This evening Beijing
has been struck by a sandstorm during the Mid Autumn festival celebrations. It is a clear reminder of the dry climate and dry environment Beijingers confront every day. However with the huge amount of planting and watering going on around Beijing it is easy to forget the nature of the true climate and environment. Sandstorms normally occur in Beijing during Spring, so it is easy to understand everyone’s feelings of surprise.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China sandstorm China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
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Underground Line 5 Opening Delayed 2007-09-25 20:26:21 The opening of the Line 5 Beijing underground system has been delayed. While it was to officially open last week, a recent visit to one of the line stations, Huixinxijiebeikou, confirmed that the trains are not yet running for the public on Line 5.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Beijing underground China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Ban on smoking in Beijing taxis 2007-09-24 23:06:58 Taxi drivers and their passengers will soon have to butt out! Starting in October drivers and their fare paying passengers will not be allowed to smoke in taxis
.This is yet another way the Beijing
government is working to establish a smoke free Olympics. Those caught in the act will need to pay a fine of 100 to 200 yuan.The Beijing government will also prohibit smoking in Olympic areas and venues, hotels, restaurants, and public transport near the Olympic village.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China smoking China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Wild Wall of China 2007-09-23 05:26:50 For a walk on the wild side, why not visit the Great Wall in places away from the hordes of tourists? Beijing Hikers offers such opportunities.Hikes to villages or the Great Wall are arranged according to the level of difficulty required. You may choose from day hikes or weekend hikes. A typical weekend hike will cost 200rmb including transport, snacks and drinks, a map and guide. Book in advance by calling Huijie on 139 10025516 or email: huijie[at]beijinghikers.combeijinghikers.comHotels in BeijingBooks on China
and BeijingTagsBeijing China hiking Great Wall China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Mid Autumn Festival 2007-09-23 01:51:34 Mid AutumnFestival
also known as The Moon Festival is celebrated from 21st to 27th September this year. In the past it was a time when people entertained themselves making lanterns with their family and friends under the moon as well as preparing food like moon cakes.Various celebrations are being held around Beijing at this time of year. Longtanhu has a series of large scale lanterns made by artists from Sichuan province. Over 20 000 metres of cloth in 20 colours was used to make the huge lanterns. The highlight of the display is a pair of dragons hanging above the water in a way that at night when the moon appears between two dragons as if they are playing with the moon.To wish someone a happy Mid Autumn Festival say, “Zhong qiu jie!”8 Longtanhu Lu, Chongwen District9am to 9.30pm, 21st – 27th SeptemberPrice 10 rmbTelephone: 6714 4336Traditionally Mid Autumn Festival in northern China is celebrated as a temple festival. A moonlit night at Lugouqiao is one of the famous traditio
Beijing Traffic 2007-09-20 19:14:25 As in any big city, traffic around Beijing
can be frustrating. The practice of blocking traffic attempting to move along the crowded airport expressway, either to or from the airport, only adds to the frustrations of tens of thousands of people. The blockage means sitting still in a queue of traffic for up to 20 minutes before then joining a far bigger than normal jam using the expressway.Observing this bizarre procedure will show traffic halted on the airport expressway and at all entries, until it is clear of traffic. Finally, a convoy of fast moving cars or buses will go by, with someone obviously more important than the tens of thousands of people attempting to use the expressway. Never mind that these tens of thousands of people are trying to keep the juggernaut of Beijing’s economy operating in one way or another!One can’t help but wonder at the image this will leave in the minds of Beijing visitors in the lead up to, and during the Olympic Games! Is it possible the expresswa
Bird's Nest Models 2007-09-19 07:40:07 Olympic enthusiasts, model collectors or souvenir collectors have the opportunity to expand their collections with the much sought after model of the famous and almost completed 2008 Beijing Olympic stadium or Bird’s Nest. The Bird’s Nest will be used as the main stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games.Models will be sold as big, medium or small. Both the big and medium models are made of steel left over from the construction of the real Bird’s Nest. Collectors should visit official merchandise stores to purchase these unique souvenirs.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Bird's Nest Stadium China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Canal Trips in Beijing 2007-09-18 08:03:53 If you enjoy being on the water you may wish to take a canal trip and avoid traffic on the roads. While you enjoy your ride you might marvel that Beijing
, a city with an arid climate, and so close to a desert, has a surprising amount of water. Actually Beijing’s canal system is supplied with water from Hangzhou in the south of China.Canal
boats leave the Exhibition Centre in Xicheng District or Yuyuantan Park in Haidian District. Once on board the wooden dragon boats you will enjoy a leisurely cruise to the Summer Palace where you can stroll through beautiful parks surrounding the lake, or visit historic buildings.Board boats at Beijing Exhibition Centre, 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie between 10am and 4pm, every hour. Tickets cost 40rmb single, 70rmb return.Leaving from Yuyuantan Park, 47 Sanlihe Lu, boats depart from the south gate of Bayi Lake at 9.30am, midday, or 2.30pm. 60rmb single, 80rmb return.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Canal Trips China TravelBook t
China Open Tennis Tournament 2007-09-18 00:03:45 Fernando Gonzalez beat Tommy Robredo in three sets in the final of the ATP China
Open on Sunday. The women's event will follow the men's tournament this week.The annual tournament takes place at the Beijing Tennis
Center situated near Zhao Gong Kou, near South Ring Road no. 4. The Beijing Tennis Center's center court has a 10,000 capacity and there are 15 other smaller courts at the complex.The ATP tournament in Beijing began in 1993 with a 5-year hiatus between 1998-2003. Michael Chang won the first three tournaments to be staged. Other past winners include Marat Safin and Rafael Nadal.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Open China TennisBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
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Olympic Torchbearers 2007-09-17 09:15:44 Today the China Daily (China's official English language newspaper) reported that foreigners living in China are eligible to become Olympic
torchbearers. People wanting to apply should apply online at chinadaily.com.cnHotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Olympics TorchbearersBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Beijing Triathlon World Cup 2007-09-16 06:24:15 Today's Triathlon competition held in the picturesque hills of the Ming Tomb area, near Chang Ping, was another successful event held at an Olympic venue in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games.The event was won by Javier Gomez from Spain in a time of 1:48:41. Courtney Atkinson from Australia in second place, finished 22 seconds behind Gomez.The competition included a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and finished with a 10km run where Gomez came from 28th in the cycling leg to finish with a win by the end of the event.The venue was easily accessed by buses 845, 643 or 919 from Beijing.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China Olympics TriathlonBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
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