Travel City

Beijing Travel Guide Introduction

Executive summary about travel city by Stone Brown

As an internationally well-known ancient and young metropolis, Beijing, the great capital city of the People's Republic of China, is called Jing for short. Measuring over 16, 800 square kilometers, Beijing has a total population of approximately 13.819 million. Being the capital of the P. R. China, Beijing is the heart of politics, economy, transportation, culture and art of this great country. At present Beijing boasts 456 star rated hotels with a total of about 84, 000 guest rooms. The 456 travel services in Beijing have more than 5,000 professional tourist guides who speak 21 languages and serve visitors from every corner of the world. Beijing is listed by the National Tourism Administration as one of the Superior Tourist Cities in China.

Beijing is a combination of tradition and modern prosperity. To the southeast of the huge city lies a vast plain and to the northwest of Beijing are the winding Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain. Relics of imperial gardens, ancient temples & tombs of the royal family infuse profound cultural elements to Beijing. Sheer cliffs, twisting springs and brooks add an enchanting element to suburban Beijing. Beijing, as the capital city of a many feudal dynasties, boast grand imperial palaces, gardens, temple, altars, tombs, among other ancient architecture that still exhibit their ancient grandeur and glory.

The most typical ancient imperial architecture in Beijing is the Forbidden City, which was the home of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Temple of Heaven is the biggest ancient architectural cluster for sacrificial purposes in China. It was also nominated as a world cultural heritage site. The Ming 13 tombs are the largest imperial tombs zones where 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty are buried. The imposing Great Wall is the largest military defense project in the human history.

There are a number of important religious sites in Beijing. Some well known temples are the Biyun Temple or, Temple of Green Cloud; a Buddhist center in China, the Baiyunguan, or the Taoist Temple of White Cloud, Yonghe Place, or Lama Temple for the Tibetan Lamaism and the Mosque of Niujie. Tiananmen Square in front of the Forbidden City is the largest city square in the world. The suburbs of Beijing contain other famous scenic spots known for their gorgeous natural attractions. Beijing has distinct four seasons: the gentle and bright spring, the hot summer, the golden autumn and snow-white winter.

Thinking Of Travel To China?
Executive summary about travel city by Norm Goldman

Today sketchandtravel.com and bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest Shelley Jiang, editor of LET’S GO CHINA, 6th Edition, one of 57 guidebooks published by the bestselling budget series from LET'S GO PUBLICATIONS.

Norm Goldman, editor of Bookpleasures.com and Sketchandtravel.com, conducted the following interview. NORM: Please tell our readers something about yourself and your expertise pertaining to China.

NORM: Would you consider China a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?

SHELLEY: China is vast enough to offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fast-paced weekend in Shanghai, a trip into China’s gorgeous outdoors, or an immersion in centuries of tradition and history. NORM: What is the best time to visit China from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe and Australia, etc?

SHELLEY: China’s peak travel times are around Chinese New Year (some time in Jan.-Feb., depending on lunar calendar), May 1st, July-August, and the first week of October. Airfares to China are most expensive between June and September. Flying September-May will get you much cheaper flights. Plan ahead—the cheapest tickets for summer flights to China sell out by early March.

SHELLEY: China is a budget traveler’s dream come true—with the exception of the airfare, which can cost anywhere from US$600-1500. A comfortable hotel room will cost around US$25-50 per night, and lavish suites range from US$60-150 per night. The cheapest and most convenient way to get around China is via rail. The number of domestic flights in China is on the rise. NORM: If you had to choose 3-5 unequalled venues in China for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?

Hangzhou: Those in love with classical China can head to this graceful city of the south and historic dynastic capital. Willows, gardens, pavilions, and delicately arched bridges dot the shores of the West Lake, the setting for ancient China’s most famous love stories. Sip fragrant Dragon Well tea while dining at one of China’s oldest restaurants that once served emperors. Hong Kong: Hong Kong offers a vacation as sophisticated and exciting as it is expensive. NORM: What should people know about celebrating a wedding in China from the point of view of requirements, experience of the various hotels, etc.

Restaurants make another good venue, and Let’s Go: China lists many of the best restaurants in Beijing. Book months in advance for celebrations in June and August, popular wedding months in China.

NORM: What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in China?

SHELLEY: CTRIP offers a great destination guide, often with photographs. CHINA TOUR COM provides a wealth of practical information, from visas to currency to vaccines. They also collect news stories related to travel in China, provide information on organized tours, and offer brief guides on Chinese culture.

TRAVEL CHINA GUIDE is another good resource for destination guides.

TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE is a forum for those traveling to China.

Thanks Shelley

Please find out my other guide on Annual Travel Insurance.