How Beijing Changed the Way We Saw China Quick Answer Many people visit Beijing because it is China’s capital. We think there’s an even better reason. Beijing is one of the few cities in the world that doesn’t simply show you famous landmarks—it helps you understand the civilisation that created them. During a few days in Beijing, you’ll walk through imperial palaces, sacred temples, ancient alleyways, modern transport systems and bustling neighbourhoods....
Optimising Your Travel Energy to Experience China’s Greatest Capital Quick Answer If you’re visiting Beijing for the first time, here’s our advice in one sentence: Don’t optimise your itinerary—optimise your experience. Many first-time visitors focus on squeezing as many famous attractions as possible into four or five days. We understand the temptation. Beijing is home to an extraordinary concentration of imperial palaces, ancient temples, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, parks and neighbourhoods...
Eight Places. Eight Lessons. One Civilisation. When Elaine and I planned our first trip to Beijing, our itinerary looked much like everyone else’s. The Forbidden City. The Great Wall. The Temple of Heaven. The Summer Palace. Qianmen. Tiananmen Square. Every one of them appeared on every “must-visit” list. Like many first-time travellers, we assumed Beijing’s famous landmarks were simply attractions waiting to be checked off. We couldn’t have been more wrong. Somewhere...
The day Elaine and I stopped collecting attractions—and started discovering China “Reading ten thousand books is not as rewarding as travelling ten thousand miles.” 读万卷书，不如行万里路(Dú wàn juàn shū, bùrú xíng wàn lǐ lù) There is an old Chinese saying that has quietly guided generations of scholars, travellers and explorers. Literally translated, it means “Reading ten thousand books is not as valuable as travelling ten thousand miles.” When Elaine and I first planned our...
The Beijing we imagined… and the Beijing we discovered. Quick Answer Ask ten people what Beijing is like, and you’ll probably hear ten different answers. Some describe it as an ancient imperial capital. Others picture a futuristic megacity filled with skyscrapers and electric cars. Some imagine endless crowds. Others think of history, politics or smog. After spending several days exploring Beijing, Elaine and I realised something. Almost everyone is partly right. Yet...
Why every first-time traveller should begin their journey to China here. Quick Answer If you’re visiting China for the first time, start with Beijing (北京, Běijīng). Not simply because it is China’s capital. Not because it is home to world-famous attractions like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. Start in Beijing because nowhere else helps first-time visitors understand how one of the world’s oldest civilisations continues to shape one of...
.. with my special need and self-learning (homeschooling) daughter, Elaine. We are China-focused travelers and have visited more than 20 interesting historical places/cities in China. And we enjoy bringing you useful & practical travel stories to help you enhance your experience traveling in China.. do follow us for more interesting travel stories..
