Visit the Temple of Heaven,...
by wongjiahui
Visit the Temple of Heaven, even if you've seen more temples than you ever believed you would.
It's worth it for the local people you see there. While at the Temple of Heaven, we saw all the usual Chinese architecture in the icon that people usually associate with the city of Bei Jing. The building turns out to be the Temple of Good Harvest. An impressive structure built without nails, it is a sight to see.
However what really stands out in my mind is the local people there. As we walked down the Long Corridor to the East Gate of the temple, we encountered an elderly couple learning how to waltz, old men with brushes and water practising their calligraphy on the ground forming ice characters. There were people singing and playing Chinese chess and flying silk kites, the corridor was so full of the local culture that we actually spent more time watching them than looking at the 500 year old trees in the court yards.
The Y files. Flavors of China: Peking duck
by marielexoteria
The Y files, where Y stands for "yummy!".
Peking duck is, according to some, the dish that represents the city the most. I'm not really a fan of duck (or fowl) but I went to China with as much of an open mind as I could when it comes to food (due to food allergies) and I wanted to give the duck a try.
Now, from what I read in a guidebook (whose name I can't remember right now), the duck is slaughtered after about 60 days then seasoned with a layer of syrup before it's hung and roasted in an oven. By pumping air thru the duck, the skin is separated from the fat. This way of preparing the duck gives it its lean, crispy flavor.
When ordering duck, you'll most likely get some steamed pancakes, scallions, carrots and cucumber (in our case) and a sweet bean sauce. The way to eat the duck, as I saw other patrons, is to wrap a piece of duck (dipped in the sauce if you prefer it) and vegetables in the pancake and eat it as if it was, well, a wrap.
I liked the texture and the flavor of the duck with the sauce and other ingredients, as we had it on a restaurant on Xinjiekou Beidajie (but I can't remember the name, which is why I wrote this tip here instead) and I would order the dish again.
Join the queue to see Mao's...
by zubric
Join the queue to see Mao's Mausoleum. You shuffle through and pay homage to the wax-like body of Mao Tse Tung in respose. This great man of the people, stalwart of the communist ideal would be mortified if he knew that the first thing you see as you exit his tomb is the grinning face of Col. Sanders adorned above the world's biggest KFC store opposite Tianemen Square.
T-Square Hawkers
by kimberbakos about There isn't a shop
In Tianeneman Square there are lots of people hawking postcards and books. THey are very pushy and don't take no for an answer. But on the upside, if you don't mind the risk, the postcards are very pretty, a great price, and I never found sets like this anywhere else. POSTCARDS!!! two packets of 10 for $1(US)
Beijing Taxis
by Beijing_bear
Beijing taxis are both plentiful and cheap but they are small. Be aware that most taxi dirvers speak little or no English if you can - please show them in Chinese where you are going. if you find a place you like then take a business card - that way it is easy to return. First thing to do when you check into your hotel is take some hotel business cards - that way your taxi driver can take you home. Also try to pick up a map of Beijing - available in the many Beijing magazines with place names in English and Chinese - handy for showing your taxi driver where you want to go.
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This remains!
Wangfujing Walking Mall
pose
Ceramics works on display
