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Yonghe Temple – Beijing’s Famous Monastery

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The Yonghe Temple is a monastery located in the Chinese capital of Beijing. Also known as the ‘Palace of Peace’ and the ‘Lama Temple’, the temple is dedicated to Geluk School branch of Tibetan Buddhism. It is one of the biggest Tibetan monasteries on the planet and is of great significance to followers. The temple’s architecture is quite distinct and combines the Tibetan and Han Chinese styles. Foreigners in Beijing interested in learning more about Buddhism and Chinese culture should consider visiting the Yonghe Temple.

Construction on the Buddhist temple started in 1694, when the Qing Dynasty was in control of China. Its original function was to serve as a residence for the court’s eunuchs. Eventually it was taken over by Prince Yong Yin Zhen, who used it as his court. When the prince finally achieved the throne (becoming the Yongzheng Emperor), the building was partly transformed into a lamasery (monastery). However, it was only after the emperor’s death that the place became a fully-fledged monastery.

The temple contains five halls, and each hall is separated from the other by a courtyard. ‘The Hall of the Heavenly Kings’ is found to the south of the temple. It was formerly the primary entrance into the lamasery. The hall contains statues of the Buddha as well as the heavenly kings. The main hall is called ‘the Hall of Harmony and Peace’. It contains three statues, made of bronze, depicting the Buddha. ‘The Hall of Everlasting Protection’ was where the emperor lived. It currently houses the emperor’s coffin.

‘The Hall of the Wheel of the Law’ is a place where one can read holy scriptures in peace, while the ‘Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happiness’ houses a Buddha statue that is nearly thirty metres in height. In addition to the halls one can find plenty of other interesting things to see inside the temple. It is definitely a ‘must visit’ when in Beijing.

Tourists planning on doing a tour of China can benefit by booking accommodation with a hotel chain like the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China. This greatly reduces the hassles involved in booking multiple hotels in China. The chain’s range of Greater China hotels enjoys excellent locations and can be relied upon to offer the same standard of service.

Silk Street In Beijing – A Shopper’s Paradise

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Beijing’s Silk Street is a massive shopping centre found in the Chinese capital. It houses nearly two thousand vendors and is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. The shopping centre receives nearly twenty thousand visitors daily with that number sometimes doubling and tripling during the weekend. The building contains seven floors, and roughly thirty five thousand square metres of retail space. It opened in 2005 to serve as an alternative to the Xiushui Silk Market.

The original Xiushui Silk Market was situated south of Ritan. It consisted of about four hundred shops, many of them selling clothes, especially products made from silk. It was highly popular among locals and tourists alike, as practically anything could be found here at a very affordable price. It operated for about twenty years before being demolished due to lax safety standards.

Currently Silk Street is the place to go to get all kind of clothes, electronics, household items and even souvenirs. Tourists should be wary though as some places do sell counterfeit goods. However, with stricter government regulations, the problem is not as prevalent as before. It is an excellent place for shopping and one can easily spend several hours at the market without noticing the time going by. There are also several restaurants and other eateries where one can grab a meal after a glorious day of shopping.

While Silk Street is easily one of the most popular shopping centres in the Chinese capital, there are plenty of lesser known areas that are also worth visiting. The Sanlitun area is slightly less upscale than Silk Street but still offers plenty of shopping options. The Yabaolu district is home to many Russian stalls. As for those looking to make bulk purchases the Wangfujing and Xidan regions are the best options.

Tourists looking for a luxury apartment in Beijing can try the Ascott Beijing. They offer conveniently located Beijing accommodation complete with all the best modern amenities that can be found. Attractions in the vicinity include the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Xiushui Silk Market. One can also find plenty of restaurants in the area, making it a convenient place to stay.

Visit the Military Museum of China – A Unique Cultural Perspective

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Providing a fascinating look into the military history and events that helped found the nation, the Military Museum of China is definitely worth visiting for history buffs when in Beijing. The best way to soak up the city’s colourful culture is by finding accommodation in the historic quarter and those in search of a Beijing luxury hotel in the area can choose Regent Beijing. This luxury hotel in Beijing features a range of contemporary comforts to make your stay all the more enjoyable. The country’s sole military museum, the Military Museum of China is housed in an expansive building that has a badge of the Chinese Army at its apex. There is much to see and learn at the site’s many halls. The Hall of the Agrarian Revolutionary War tells the story of the struggle against the feudal land system, while the Hall of Ancient Wars has exhibits featuring Chinese military culture ranging from the Qin to the Qing dynasties. Not to be missed is a visit to the Hall of Weapons where you can view a range of military weapons including small arms and missiles.

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