Forbidden City during National Day celebrations
by Confucius
Here is the view from Tiananmen Gate rostrum. It is a separate ticket from main admission to the Forbidden City. You may stand in the same place where Mao Zedong and previous emperors gazed upon the loyal subjects assembled in Tiananmen Square. On the right is Mao Zedong Mausoleum and on the left is the Museum of History. This photo was taken on National Day (October 1) about an hour before the flag ceremony.
If you happen to be inside the Forbidden City about 30 minutes before the flag ceremony then you will be forbidden to exit the south gate until after the ceremonial troops have marched to the pole.
Bargain, Bargain, Bargain.
by dfactor
They have some really nice handy craft in China, and they can be pretty cheap, if you are a hard bargainer.
Bought the picture for RMB50 in a shop. Thought it was a good bargain, I bought 4. When it started, the lady asked for RMB100. After some arm wrestling bargaining, we settled at 4 for RMB200, I walked away, gleefully.
Then, on the street market, saw the same stuff again. Asked for the price, the lady at the stall told me it was RMB50 each. And without much fight, she was happy to give 2 to me at RMB50.
I was a bit miffed, but still glad that I managed to average down the price per unit.
Long Qing Xin Gorge- beautiful boat ride
by aspe
When Beijing gets to hot and busy, take a tour to Long Qing Xin Gorge. It's about 80 km north of Beijing.
You go up a mountain inside an escalator formed as a yellow dragon (!). When you get up, you can take a boat ride (about 1 hr) in a beautiful gorge, or continue further up the montain in a lift.
This place is touristy, but in a chinese way. Not many Western travellers there.
Pan1 Jia1 Yuan2 (or panjiayuan) Market
by FreeCloud about Flea Market/Antique Market
It is a huge market complex with many many vendors selling/trading interesting stuff.
Details see the site below or just search online, you should see lot (keywords 'panjiayuan beijing':
http://www.globetrekkertv.co.uk/destination_guide/asia/china/dirt_market.php Anything you could imagine that can be found in China. Antiques, authentic or replica, sourvenirs, art and crafts, daily use, anything, and just to have some fun there. Depends upon what you are buying. Most likely you have to pay by Chinese currency.
Up the Mutanying Great Wall, take a cable car!
by Penelope4
There is so much walking to do as you climb up the Mutanying Great Wall. In order for you to enjoy the experience, take the cable car at the foot of Mutanying and just do the walking from its end station (it sure is the best journey). You can enjoy the nice view from the cable car. The sight of the trees, mountains, colourful leaves - is just awesome! The trip costs 50 Yuan. And mind you, I had the privilege of riding in the same cable car the US Former President Clinton rode in.
Also known as first cable car on the Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall Cable Car Services Co. Ltd. Provides 58 cable cars for you and me. It was built in 1986.
The cable way is 732m in length, 604m high and runs 3.5 m per second.
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Statue of Sun ZhongShan
building
ticket office
expensive drinks
