Another Side of Beijing Sanlitun – Leisure and Shopping Paradise

In Beijing, there is one place where famous for that entertainment and leisure place, Sanlitun! Searching for bars, café or many shopping sites, tourists who come to Beijing will find it in Chaoyang District where provides all your needs. Located in the Sanlitun area, there have a lot of café, bars, food stores, restaurants, and department stores available.

This area is one of the popular areas after Wangfujing Street which attracts many tourists come for shopping, clubbing and searching for authentic culinary. And even in Sanlitun, visitors could have a fun shopping time explore many international famous brand stores such as, American Apparel, Apple Inc, Adidas, Fossil, Mango, Uniqlo, etc. At past, Sanlitun is not famous for its shopping or leisure but a few years ago, there has become one complete shopping centre and one main aim shopping area for tourists of Beijing tours.

Sanlitun area is always crowded by visitors, at day or night. It also has become one of the city night life symbols. Most of visitors will come at night, just for personally experience the very busy and loud atmosphere. In the weekend, that area will always crowd with young local people and foreigners. They usually walk out, shopping around, refreshing at bar or café, watching their favorite latest movie, etc. Lots of leisure activities option that visitors can choose there, so that is why Sanlitun become the favorite one.

In the April of 2008, before Beijing Olympic Games, here, Sanlitun had become a recommended place as the icon for leisure. So when Beijing Olympic had started, Sanlitun area crowded with lots international tourists. The number of vendors had also increased, even the streets were filled with people. Olympic Beijing had brought its own gift for the vendors around the area. Their various merchandise and Olympic souvenirs are t-shirt, doll, balloon, and others which always sold out each day.

For the people who stay near Sanlitun area and looking for a late night snack spot, here will be the ideal place. Now there not only bars or cafés that located around this area, there also have some food stores which offer the traditional foods of Beijing. So Sanlitun is the best place for find culinary and shopping which already opened at day time. No matter where you come from, where you want to go, just stop of a moment, Sanlitun is one of the best entertainment places in Beijing at day or night!

Amazing Beautiful Autumn Scenery in Xiangshan Park

Fragrant Hills Park or also called Xiangshan Park is located about 28 kilometers far from the center of Beijing. This park is one of the royal garden of emperors at past. Located in the area about 400 hectares, Xiangshan Park is covered with many green trees and pavilions around. Since covering such large area, Xiangshan Park has become one of the top ten biggest parks in Beijing.

Fragrant Hill Park was first built in 1186 in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and later extended to a large scale in the Yuan and Ming dynasties. This park was built on the above of the hill as high as 500 meters. So if visitors are able climb up to the top of the park, they will see the extraordinary scenery of Beijing and the park itself. Not only that, from the top of the park or also called Xianglufeng, visitors will also able to see the fascinating scenery of Summer Palace, since it located not far from here.

Another unique view worth to see happens when the autumn season has come. Inside the park, there plant lots of maple trees, smoke trees and persimmon trees. And when the autumn comes, all the leaves will turns to red and make the view turn spectacular. The streets inside the park will also be covered with red leaves, so if you see it from a distance just like roll out the red carpet. Even the leaves will fall down to the lake inside the park, as if the lake turn red covered with bunch of red leaves.

Inside the park, there have some famous point where you will see the red leaves clearly. Because of that, tourists are likely capture it from that certain point. First, in Jingcui Lake, you must walk through the east gate so you will arrive at the shore of the lake which surround by the small hills. So, from that place the tourists will climb up to this small hill and the view will look better and clearly from there. Next place is Xiangshan Temple. From the second level, visitors will capture more clearly photos of the park view. The third place is Hesun Gate, in the south hill inside the park. The best time to see this wonderful moment inside the park is October till November.

The most beautiful period season in Xiangshan Park is autumn. At that time, with all leaves turn yellow and red from green, no wonder that you will capture all of the memories which will happen once in each year.

Taste and Experience the Beauty of Shichahai Lake

There is one place called Shichahai Lake in Beijing that gains the reputation of the most beautiful attraction free for charge among local citizens. Shichahai Lake located in the center of the city, not far from Forbidden City has in total area of 147 hectares and because of that, it has become one of the largest lakes in China. This nature lake has such a beauty and stunning scenery with the hills view around. Surround the lake, there also has some important and famous historical places which famous from long time ago, since Yuan Dynasty. And in Ming and Qing Dynasty, Shichahai area had already become the resident area for lot of senior officials.

At past, some local resident take advantages of the lake to fulfill their daily need such as, fishing, fish farming, relaxing place, etc. And from Ming Dynasty, the lake has become tourism destination, planted with trees, flowers and renovated with the layout of the building where located in the strategic lake. Till now, Shichahai Lake had several renovated from local government to make the lake more commercial.

Today, Shichahai has become the exotic place famous among the local visitors. Travelers are addicted in the traditional culture of Beijing and have the enthusiastic to explore the old courtyard. Enjoy and feel like you are stay and live inside the old Beijing make Shichahai become the top leisure destination.
Now, Shichahai area also filled with unique restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops etc. As sunset approaches, the bright lights and traditional lanterns in the many bars and restaurants offer a fun and attractive atmosphere. Whether you're out for your evening walk or looking for a place to share a drink with friend, Shichahai Lake can be the right place. The area combined the nature view with harmonic cultural tradition, which whisper her beauty, comfortable, relax, and entertained with all the charms.

When summer comes, rent a boat to personally wandering on lake to have a close look at the local life around is the most attractive part. Coming with your couple then create some romantic atmosphere while boating in the lake. Happily enjoy some big trees and beautiful flowers in the distance when the light winds blowing while boating. Beside a commercial place, the wide area around Shichahai always get used among the locals especially elderly people to do some sports arena to do their daily activities such as, bicycling, walking, jogging etc. Walking quietly along the lake shore, taste and experience the beauty of Shichahai Lake!

Article Resource :  http://beijinggreatwalltour.blog.com/taste-and-experience-the-beauty-of-shichahai-lake/

The Giant Bird Nest in Beijing – Olympic Stadium

Long time ago the Great Wall has become the pride of Chinese people, but since 2008 there is another new landmark in Beijing which has also become a new pride of the country called Beijing National Stadium or also called Bird Nest Stadium.

Beijing National Stadium is located in the Beijing Olympic Village, Chaoyang District. The stadium built for the main stadium for Beijing 2008 Olympic, and had become the place where the opening and closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympics. When traveling Beijing, the unique architecture building which listed as one of the most beautifully designed stadium in the world is the right place you should not miss.
Beijing National Stadium in total covers the area of 258,000 square meters and in it can hold 91,000 visitors. The stadium built based on the international standard and after the Olympic 2008 Beijing, this stadium has become the place where hold many international big events, big sport matches, or might be star concerts in Beijing. No wonder if the stadium has attracts many visitors to come and directly see the elegant and greatness of the stadium. The stadium always crowded by the visitors, although there are not big events being hold, just because its unique architecture style. The local people will also take some advantages of the stadium area for various activities such as, jogging, exercise, walking etc, owing to the big, clean and tidy open square in front of the Bird Nest.

Not only that, in front of the stadium there always found a lot of souvenir and accessory sellers. They always walk around the stadium and once in a while will offer the souvenir to the visitors who come. They sell some souvenir such as, miniature of the stadium, t-shirt with the picture of the stadium, stadium shaped ashtray and many others. Some local photographers will also offer their service to help you find the best spot of the park and take some photos in front of the stadium with extra surcharges. When there are holding some big sports events or another big events, the stadium will be crowded and full of people and thus the merchandises will highly in demand.
Visitors can enter the stadium with the entrance ticket about 50 RMB. Inside the stadium a big stadium which equipped with high standard and modern facilities will catch your eyes. Take more memories while travelling Beijing and memorize the success of Olympic 2008 Beijing inside Beijing Bird Nest Stadium.

Article Resource : http://beijinggreatwalltour.blog.com/the-giant-bird-nest-in-beijing-olympic-stadium/

A Simple of Introduce Exotic Royal Garden in Beijing

Probably you have already heard of the Summer Palace before, right? It is the famous royal garden in Beijing which attracts so many tourists of Beijing tours. Today I will invite you to visit Beihai Park, another large royal garden that also has exotic nature scenery. Beihai Park has become one of the oldest parks in Beijing located near to the Forbidden City. The park was built in Yuan Dynasty and opened to the public in 1925. Looking for a place not crowded but with fresh and comfortable environment, here it is.

Beihai Park has a total area of more than 69 hectares with more than a half part is water area. Inside the park, there has one main site called Qionghai Island where stand a white pagoda with Tibetan Buddhist style. Till now, this White Pagoda still stand strongly and maintained very well. With unique and artistic Chinese style design, this pagoda has become a sacred and mysterious place inside the park. Not only that, Beihai Park also reflected such beautiful nature scenery. Many historical relics scattered around the park include, temples, pagoda, relief, bridge, hallways and authentic Chinese ornaments that can be found inside each building. I enjoyed their traditional Chinese garden art combined with the ancient atmosphere and the beauty of nature.

Inside the park, there appear many pavilions, designed with ancient Chinese ornament. With many trees make the atmosphere become more calm, fresh and cool, here always gathered visitors sitting for a rest or even some petty dealers selling handcrafts. Same as the other park in Beijing, Beihai Park is also attracts many elder people. Some locals are usually doing their daily activities inside the park, such as, dancing, running, exercise, tai chi, playing some music instruments, singing and others.

Because Beihai Park has more than half lake area, I saw lots of visitors rent the boat and peddle around lake area, enjoy authentic scenery of this royal palace. Peddle the boat with your lovely person while light wind blowing will make you more relax and in another way will create romantic atmosphere between you two. When winter comes, the lake will become a huge ice rink where perfect to have a fun ice skating.

Same as many other park in China, till now Beihai Park was also maintained very well by government. As the national asset that should be treated well and here is the good example.

Do You Know the Largest Square in the World ?

When you come to China, it will become not complete if you don’t visit Tiananmen Square. The Square has become the symbol and one of the important historical places in the history. Since Tiananmen Square has a large area, so you must get ready to take a long time walking around. Prepare your stamina and if you love China’s history then the journey will be worth!

Tiananmen Square located not far from Forbidden City in the center of Beijing was become a forbidden area in Ming and Qing Dynasty. It means, at past, no one can enter or leave the area without emperor’s permission. The Square has a total area of 440, 000 square meters and can hold one million people at the same time. It also can be said as the largest public square around the world. The Square was opened to the public in 1911 and after that over hundreds years, in front of the Square there has become a place where hold many democracy events and important national ceremonies. Till now, the Square still be maintained very well by the government and attracts lot of local and even foreign travelers every day.

Arrive at Tiananmen Square, there some policies or securities that keep looking around, maintain the security of everyone. There also hanging the large picture of Mao Zedong that you can see in the front gate of the Tower. Many people take some photos in front of that picture as memory. The atmosphere of nationalism was very strong in this area, especially there also flies high Five-Star Red Flag. Every day, there hold flag raising ceremony that goes in the early morning before sunrise. I didn’t come to that raising ceremony before, but some people said it was very sacred and worth to see. Every day in all weather, no matter rain or snow, here always crowded with visitors to take part in the solemn raising ceremony.

Around the Square, there also located other interesting and famous historical destinations such as, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China, Monument to the People’s Heroes etc. I was excited to come to Chairman Mao Memorial Hall where I saw the embalmed body of Mao Zedong. The atmosphere was very sacred and mysterious. Before entered the hall, we must lined up first in front of the hall, but after enter the hall all was worth it.
After explored Tiananmen Square, we decided to move on to Forbidden City and continue our journey. The Square was just amazing and worth historical site, a must visit in Beijing!

Travelling in Beijing Guide - Beijing Drum and Bell Tower

In Beijing, there has many historical heritage that opened to the public, one of those sites is Bell and Drum Tower where located in the north Beijing. That both towers built on 1272 but after only a few years the tower were burned down in a big fire and then rebuilt on the same site in 1297. At past, both towers were used to announce important things from the emperor and to indicate time. The people had given the signal with hit those drum or bell in both towers.

Both towers role was so important at past, because most of the time, they always used it as the signal and a reminder when enemies attack the city. The buildings had rebuilt and renovated for many times. In 1980, they were finished the last renovated and opened to the public at the same year.
Have long history behind? The towers were used from Yuan Dynasty till Ming Dynasty. This Bell and Drum Tower has already become a Chinese cultural and historical heritage and also was listed as one of the important national historical heritages by the local government.
Inside Bell Tower, there has water clock that used for giving the sign of day and night. The officer will hit the bell in the certain time and all the people in the city can hear the bell ring which matching with actual time. As the time goes by, the clock inside the tower had change become a mechanic clock. It makes the bell automatically ring in the certain time without being hit by the officer. Because the tower still have a good function and government always take a good care of them, so till now, the ring of the bell still be heard around the area.

The unique and antique architecture of the building has also be its own characteristic that will attract tourists to come visit both towers. The shape of both towers look like the Chinese house with some levels. Bell and Drum situated in the top of the level of both towers. The Drum Tower has red building and the Bell Tower has black color building. Bell Tower has 48 meters high and Bell Tower 33 meters. People say, sound of the bell can heard till tens kilometers radius.
The Bell which located in the Bell Tower made from metal with a total weight of 63 tons and the Drum Tower in total has 25 drums which the biggest reach 4 meters. Both towers opened from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm every day, with the entrance ticket about 15 to 20 RMB. Today, if visit Drum Tower Beijing, tourists can climb up for sightseeing and also able to see the city view around. Tourists can also participate in knocking the drum activity and see the drum show every day.