Author Archives: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Dreaming of a white Christmas in China

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Christmas is a religious holiday that is looked forward to all over the world. It has grown from being a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus in to a global phenomenon that calls for world peace and promotes love, kindness and charity among different communities. It is also the busiest period for shoppers as they make a last minute scramble to buy the perfect gift for their family and friends. With the added excitement of New Year’s Eve being just around the corner, Christmas is truly a special holiday for everyone.


Majority of Chinese are non religious and among the rest the majority belong to either Buddhist or Taoist faiths. However China has a long association with Christianity with historic sources saying that the religion was introduced to the country in the 7th century AD. Several Christian mission followed the most notable the being the Franciscan Missionaries in the 13th century and the Jesuits several hundred years later. Today a total of 40 million Chinese are recognized as being Christians.


With Christianity having strong roots in the country, it is no wonder that Christmas is celebrated with much pageantry in many of the major cities. The shopping malls get into the mood weeks ahead of the festival with seasonal décor. Many have beautifully decorated Christmas trees adorned with glistening baubles and fairy lights. Most stores also offer great discounts on their products during the season, so most of the city malls are a hive of activity.


A region of Beijing that really gets in to the Christmas sprit is the Avenue of Eternal Peace which has a fittingly spiritual name. All the shops down this road are decorated with wreaths on their doors and shop windows. The nativity scene is enacted in some parts of town and one could be excused for thinking that they are actually in Europe. Some of the best places to shop during Christmas can be accessed by those staying at a Beijing hotel. Many a hotel in Beijing such as the Raffles Beijing Hotel also gets into a festive mood with special Christmas dinners and seasonal activities for their guests.


Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Historic Sites in Beijing

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Beijing is a city rich in old world charm. By choosing one of the luxury hotels and resorts in the city, you can be assured of easy access to a myriad of attractions. Travellers can never go wrong by selecting a hotel of a luxury hotel group such as Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Beijing boasts a rich historical heritage which is reflected by various ancient sites found within the city. Most of these sites have exceptional cultural and aesthetic significance. Among the most well known historic sites are the Forbidden City, Summer palace, Confucius Temple, Ming Tombs and more.

Jingshan Park – Scenic Relaxation in the Beijing Hilltops

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Through several dynasties Beijing has been a chief city in China and as a result it is full of amazing historical sites, making it one of the best places for travellers to visit. A site the country is well known for is the Forbidden City and thousands visit this famous attraction where they can admire the majesty of ancient China. Yet facing the Forbidden City is another Beijing attraction that visitors can enjoy. This is the Jingshan Park, located on the artificially made Jingshan Hill. The hill boasts beautiful scenery, and has five peaks; its uppermost point is the highest point in all of Beijing.

Jingshan Park was originally an imperial park and though it existed throughout the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties it was only opened to the public in more recent times. The park is mostly visited for the view it offers of the Forbidden City; from some points most of the city will be clearly visible. Visitors can also enjoy a view of the Bell and Drum Towers and the White Dagoba Temple from the site. On each of the five peaks there is a pavilion built by past rulers, where they made offerings to their ancestors, or honoured various figures. There were once five symbolic statues of Lord Buddha in the pavilions which were unfortunately lost during times of war.


As it was once frequented by Chinese Royalty, Jingshan Park is a very picturesque place to visit. There are various fruit trees that were planted in ancient times and today it is famous for the large amount of Peony Roses that grow on its landscapes along with many other varieties of flora, which will amaze visitors when these flowers are in bloom. In the 230,000 square metres that make up the park there are several spots where one will be able to relax, and despite its central location it is shielded from the activity in the city. On site there are exhibitions of authentic Chinese performances to watch and activities to partake in, which make a visit to Jingshan Park a truly worthwhile experience.

While at the park visitors can enjoy the beauty of imperial times, Ascott Raffles City Beijing provides luxurious serviced apartments in Beijing where visitors can enjoy exquisite modern surroundings. These serviced apartments Beijing offer a wide range of amenities which will make a stay in the city comfortable and convenient.


Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+