Travelling is a luxury that is being made available and more affordable for those who save up for it. Now, choosing your destination comes next. You can choose where you want to travel, and use your interests and aspirations as a compass to visit certain areas. Not every place is alike! Some countries truly have a richer, lengthier history and culture than others do. If there’s any place that’s filled with stories and traditions that date back thousands of years ago, it’s China.
So Why Visit Beijing?
Being the capital of China, Beijing’s central business district (as well as other newly-built sectors) boast of some of the most modern glass buildings you’ve ever seen. At the same time, if you enjoy both the classic and modern sites, then Beijing also has the perfect mixture of both. Some of their historical monuments have been around for up to 3,000 years! Plus, Beijing’s booming economy gives you the promise of civilization, thus you get a whole range of places to stay. Choices range from luxurious five-star hotels to affordable inns. This somewhat mimics the stark contrast of their sky-high buildings and elegant palaces… Just a great example of the development of the human race’s capabilities – all in one city.
What To Do In Beijing
If it’s your first time in Beijing, it’s highly recommended that you visit the most popular sites. Though some may go off-trek and go against the tide of usual tourist activities, those can be enjoyed more on a second trip. As for the sites and places that you should visit, there’s the Great Wall of China (considered one of the 7 Wonders of The World), The Temple of Heaven for its whimsical construction patterns and spiritual background, and the Forbidden City, which highlights the crème de la crème of Chinese architectural design and tradition.
Tian’anmen Square is also a must-see, as it’s near the rest of the aforementioned tourist spots (Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City) as it’s home to many momentous occasions. It stands in sixth place when it comes to world’s biggest city squares. Come early in the morning for the flag ceremony, or drop by simply to have a look at China’s national museum!
For a great deal of shopping, visit Wangfujing. They have around 280 brands that are specifically from Beijing, so it’s a great place for souvenirs, as well as Chinese food and snacks. If you’re feeling a little brave, they even have some stalls that sell some exotic food for you to taste!
How To Get Around
You can get around Beijing easily with these modes of transportation: taxi (however they may not speak English, so get ready for that by having your destination written down in Chinese so they can take you there), sanlunche/pedicabs, which are three-wheeled vehicles with little roofs, rented motorcycles/bikes/scooters and cars. There’s a car service in Beijing that can be sure to help you out there. It’s important to note that you need a special license in China to drive around, so your driver’s license from your country of origin may not do the job!