Browsing Category: BEIJING

  Some travel memories begin with famous landmarks. The Great Wall. The Forbidden City. The ancient palaces. The places that appear on almost every Beijing tour itinerary. But sometimes, the strongest memories from a trip to Beijing China begin with something much smaller. A simple souvenir. A little object bought during a family holiday. Something that quietly follows you through different chapters of life. For Elaine and me, that memory keeper is...

Some places are not meant to be visited only once. The first time you visit, you probably see what everyone sees. You take photos of the famous buildings, follow the recommended walking routes, try some popular food, and happily tick another attraction off your travel list. But when you return again, something interesting happens. You slow down. You notice things you missed before. A street sign. An old shop. A familiar childhood...

If you’re planning a trip to Beijing China, there are three famous ancient commercial streets that belong on every visitor’s list: Dashilan 大栅栏, Wangfujing 王府井, and Qianmen Street (前门大街)—a top choice for travelers seeking both cultural charm and vibrant nightlife in the Beijing capital. While many rush to the Great Wall of China from Beijing or explore modern skyscrapers along the Beijing China skyline, few know that Qianmen Street is a magical...

They say every stone in Beijing, the capital of China, whispers a story. But inside the Forbidden City, those whispers echo like thunder. For anyone planning a trip to Beijing, China, visiting this imperial complex should top your list of Beijing China tourist attractions. On a misty morning, my daughter Elaine and I joined the tide of visitors flowing through the Meridian Gate (午门, Wǔmén), the grand southern entrance to Beijing’s most...

Beijing is home to three famous ancient commercial streets that every traveler should experience: Dàzhàlán Street (大栅栏 Dàzhàlán), Qiánmén Street (前门大街 Qiánmén Dàjiē), and Wangfujing Street (王府井大街 Wángfǔjǐng Dàjiē). Each offers a unique blend of history, culture, and street life. Welcome to 王府井 (Wángfǔjǐng), one of the most iconic streets in the heart of Beijing Capital of China (北京首都 Běijīng Shǒudū), where ancient tradition meets sleek modernity. in the heart of Beijing...

Introduction: Where Old Beijing Comes Alive After Dark When the neon lights begin to glow and the red lanterns sway gently in the Beijing breeze, there’s one place that pulses with old-world charm yet never stops evolving: Dashilan Street (大栅栏 Dàshànlán). Tucked behind Qianmen (前门 Qiánmén) and just south of Tiananmen Square (天安门广场 Tiān’ānmén Guǔngchǎng), this centuries-old commercial street offers an immersive, colorful, and often surprising window into the heart of traditional...

In the heart of Beijing, just beyond the Forbidden City’s crimson walls, lies a place where time lingers and whispers still echo from the Qing Dynasty‘s golden years. This is Shichahai (Shichahai, 什剎海)—not just a lake, but a breath of Old Beijing, a destination that refuses to let go of its imperial past. For travelers seeking a serene yet profound experience on their Beijing China tour, this historic district ranks high among...

A uniquely moving tradition in the heart of Beijing If you’re looking for things to do in Beijing at sunrise, few experiences match the quiet power of witnessing the Tiananmen Flag Raising Ceremony (升旗仪式, shēngqí yíshì). On our recent China Travel Blog adventure, my daughter Elaine and I decided to take the plunge and wake up well before dawn to catch this iconic moment. What we didn’t expect was how deeply moving...

If you’re planning a Beijing China tour, there’s one magical experience that captures the city’s soul better than any grand monument or bustling plaza—a quiet walk through the legendary hutongs (胡同 hútòng). These historic alleyways, some dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, are what remains of life in Beijing China before the skyscrapers came. And while some are now protected, many are fading fast—replaced by apartment blocks and office towers. That’s why...