Favourite sights to experience in Beijing

BLCU Classmates

My number one sight must be the Great Wall; it was magnificent with stunning views across hills afar. Not surprisingly too many people around. If you want the wall to yourself, go in the morning before the tour groups get there and it’s magical.

Xin Lao Shi 老师

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The Summer Palace:

Mystical Lakes

Secondly, I would have to give it to The Summer Palace (I mean the new one as there is also an old one which is relics). This is a wonderful place; I understand how the emperor would have enjoyed staying there in the summer months instead of The Forbidden City. Come during the week and not holiday time otherwise it’ll be hard to get a photo without another tourist in it. I enjoyed this place so much I went twice…

If you have a student ID it is only 15rmb entrance but the full ticket that includes all the buildings and sights inside is 60rmb (no discount for students on this ticket).

I suggest walking up any hill to see the view across Beijing, take a boat ride across the lake, and enjoy the views by the marble boat. The story of this marble boat is one of those jokes/insults to the Chinese Royal history. The last empress in the Ting Dynasty used the money which supposed to be for the royal navy to combat the foreigners invading China. Instead she decided to indulge in her own pleasures and used the funds to build this marble boat. It actually doesn’t sail or move and is built static to the land. You can not walk on it but you can look at it close enough.

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Hou Hai Park:

 The third favourite place of mine would be Hou Hai park in the central. I suggest arriving at HouHai early in the morning if you also wish to see the old mansions where corrupted officials used to live. Take a ride on the rickshaws which were a great deal for all the sights.

In the summer, it's worth going for a swim in the Hou Hai lake, cools you down from the 40 degrees heat and it's free of charge! Just jump in and join the locals. You may wonder what is this guy doing? Well me and my friend Anne-Sophie was taking a stroll along the lake and this chap came up to us after swimming in the lake. He asked me to take a picture of him and decided to climb the lamp post and pose as super man. Well how could I refuse!? He was proud and happy of himself which made me feel touched my the local friendliness. People were just enjoying their afternoon and sharing time with people.

(Locals playing a game)

If you wish just go for a stroll enjoy a drink in a cafe/bar overlooking the lake. I realised the joy of just watching the world go by. Even better when sharing moments of tranquility with a friend.

However, coming to HouHai park by night is a different experience to the day, the neon lights will light up at sunset with load music pumping out from the strip of bars along the river. The night life is also fun here and worth coming for. I can’t remember the names of the bars/club but one had competition games where a mc would get partners to do silly/dirty games in order to win prizes. It was funny to watch one game where a girl had to burst a balloon between her and a random boy from the crowd.

 Sketch of Me by Anne-Sophie. Look like me?Ah! A cup of tea... home from home.

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 It is a great way to spend the day wondering the Hutongs (old lanes) and joining onto the HouHai park for a pleasant stroll. There are different Hutongs around Beijing, The Hutongs itself has so much historical character, look out for a quant hutong bar or café to chill out for a while and soak in the historical ambience.

                         Anne-Sophie at Hou Hai Hutongs             Hutong Cafe by Hou Hai Park

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(The Red Theatre – Shoalin Martial Arts Show)

A legendary Chinese story put into a martial arts performance. There is no time for boredom in this show for sure with amazing stunts and breath taking kung fu. You can even take pictures with the crew after the show at no extra cost. The 150rmb tickets can give a good view and a warning not to sit right at the front as the mist affect will choke you.