Tag Archives: Beijing

Old Summer Palace Beijing, a lovely pleasure garden

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The Old Summer Palace in Beijing, known as the Yuanmingyuan or the Garden of Perfection and Light is a well-known cultural site and tourist attraction in the Chinese capital. Today, only the ruins of the imperial palaces and pavilions may be seen, but the site remains a tranquil location ideal for spending leisure hours.

Initially, the location was developed in 1709 during the time of rule of Emperor Kangxi, a Qing Dynasty ruler. In the course of the subsequent 150 years, the site was developed as a secluded pleasure garden of the Chinese emperors, extending over an area of no less than 350 hectares. The garden may be seen to consist of three distinct sections, namely Yuanmingyuan, Changchunyuan (or the Garden of Eternal Spring) and Wanchunyuan (which translates as Garden of Blossoming Spring).

There are numerous picturesque and attractive locations within the gardens, which include rocky hillocks, ponds and streams as well as rare flowers and grasses obtained from different regions of China. The park is considered to exemplify the treasured art of ancient Chinese landscaping and gardening.

On the other hand, the proud creation that once stood here also demonstrated features which set it apart from other royal Chinese gardens. Notably, it also included Western style architecture amidst the typically Chinese setting, making it a harmonious blend of diverse elements. At the height of its glory, it was known as the ‘Versailles of the East’, a phrase which is suggestive of the garden’s splendour. Additionally, the Old Summer Palace also featured an extensive museum devoted to the imperial legacy, which included numerous cultural artefacts, valuables and books.

Today, the ruins which may be seen are suggestive of the former splendour of this imperial leisure garden. Visitors may also see a pictorial reconstruction of the site within the exhibition chamber. Some of the scenic locations have been repaired, making them delightful places to unwind and relax. Visiting the Old Summer Palace is always a memorable experience.

If you are planning a visit to the country and are considering greater China hotels to host your visit, an excellent selection would be the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China. These fine hotels in China offer well-appointed accommodations and attentive service.

 

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Lantern Festival in Beijing, a joyous occasion

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The much-anticipated Lantern Festival is joyously celebrated in the Chinese capital Beijing as it is in many parts of China. The occasion falls on the initial lunar month’s fifteenth day in the lunar calendar, which usually occurs in February or March. As you might expect, making colourful lanterns is one of the most important aspects of this event, which is considered to be the most festive and enjoyable of all the festivals celebrated by the Chinese people. On this full moon day, all members of the family reunite and spend the day in a spirit of joy and fellowship.

With a legacy of more than 2,000 years, this festival traditionally involves a number of activities and customs which are observed by all sections of society. Everyone, from young children to senior citizens involve themselves in the celebrations.

Constructing and lighting lanterns is undoubtedly one of the event’s most prominent aspects. This practice is believed to have originated during the time of rule of the Han Dynasty, when Buddhism was widespread amongst the people of the nation. One of the Han emperors commenced this custom by decreeing that lanterns should be lit to honour the Buddha. During subsequent dynasties, the custom became increasingly popular amongst the people of the country. A related activity is the practice of making up riddles and guessing the answers. Individuals write witty riddles on pieces of paper and visitors are invited to guess the answer.

Folk dances are a very important part of the traditional activities, in particular the colourful lion dance. The actual lion is manipulated by two individuals who perform numerous difficult actions to entertain onlookers. Stilt walking is another popular sight during the festival day.

Another common practice observed at this time is the making and eating of yuanxiao. These are dumplings made of rice, which are stuffed with a variety of fillings such as sesame, sugar, jujube paste, bean paste and rose petals. These round treats symbolize harmony, reunion and joy.

If you are visiting the nation and are considering greater China hotels, there is no better choice than the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China. These fine hotels in China are renowned for their comfortable accommodations and gracious hospitality.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Let the Journey Begin – Travel Tips – A Guide to Beijing

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Beijing is a huge city with a population of nearly 18 million spread out over 18 districts. The majority of the historic attractions, cultural destinations and accommodation lie in central Beijing within the second and third ring roads. Chaoyang district to the north east of Beijing is home to many of Beijing’s new developments such as its CBD, the Olympic venues, art galleries, restaurants shopping and entertainment places, iconic buildings such as the CCTV building and World Trade Centre Tower III, the Beijing Zoo, museums and accommodation. Haidian district to the north west of Beijing is where Tsinghua University and the Beijing Botanic Gardens are located. Tongzhou district, the northern suburbs, western and southern suburbs and Rural Beijing form the periphery of the great city. Getting to the attractions in central Beijing and the suburbs involve great distances due to the vastness of the city. As Beijing is the political and cultural centre of China the country’s administrative apparatus is found here as well as embassies and related institutions.

Beijing international airport is the main way into the city. The three terminals here offer all facilities to make arrivals and departures as smooth as possible. Taxis, the airport express train and airport shuttle buses offer the best ways to get in and out of the airport. The cheapest way to central Beijing from the airport is by public bus. Other ways of getting into Beijing is by train, long distance public buses and by car. Once in the city many get around by taxi. However the subway is easy, fast and cheap. Getting around the city by public bus is also an option. Other travel options include bicycles, minibuses and private cars.

The city’s historic and cultural attractions include Tiananmen Square the world’s largest public space, the Forbidden City the vast palace complex of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, ancient temples, gardens, the Beijing Zoo and Botanic Garden and museums and art galleries. Evenings can be enlivened with acrobatic shows, traditional opera performances, plays, Kung Fu shows and classical music concerts. For relaxation there are foot massages, yoga classes, spa treatments and best of all retail therapy. Shopping choices range from markets selling everything from pearls to cheap clothing and antiques to several kilometers of chic shops in pedestrianised retail areas. For foodies the city is awash with restaurants serving up every kind of food from around the world. All travelers, whether budget or high end is catered for and there is no shortage of accommodation. Communication wise, internet access is highly restricted although free Wi-Fi is offered in most hostels, hotels and restaurants.

Summertime is one of the worst times to visit the city although tourism is at its height during this time. Hot humid summers are made worse by pollution and bad air quality. The winters are cold and dry with infrequent snowfall. Spring is warm and dry with dust storms. The best time to visit is in between September and October when it is cool and the air quality is very much better.

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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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