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Hutong
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Quanjude Duck Restaurant
I will be visiting Beijing in September 08 and I consider hutongs as one of the main attractions.But I've read so many articles on internet regarding the demolition of hutongs because of the Olympics, that I started wondering if there will be any left.I was planning to stay in Qianmen Hostel because of its location,, but I found out that the Qianmen hutong was destroyed.
Do you know anything about Qianmen hutong? Is it still worthy to get a room in Qianmen Hostel considering the area?
Thank you!
HI! Madalina:
Not sure about Qianmen Hostel but the Far East Hostel is still in a good area of hutongs, very much healthy and alive - review of Far East Hostel on my BJ page if you care to take a look....
Part of the Qianmen hutong has been destroyed to make way for a shopping street. There is still a large hutong area directly west of Qianmen Hostel. I stayed just round the corner in Leo Hostel. I found the area very convenient for visiting the rest of Beijing. Your choice of hostel is only 5mins from Beijing subway (Qianmen stop) and 10min walk to Forbidden City.
Hi guys,
Thank you for your answers.
I am really concerned about these people destroying so many historical places. I watched on youtube a few movies showing the demolition of hutongs; it is really very sad what's happening. It becomes more and more real that we have to visit China now, because it will be very changed 10 years later.
I lived in Shanghai for one year while studying there and I think when I go back this year I will hardly recongize it.
Madalina
It is my understanding that the hutong Qianmen is in is protected a s historic district. I stayed at Qianmen (Shanglin) and enjoyed it. Another responder mentioned Far East. I would recommend that one two. They are only a few blocks apart. The location of both is good for a walk to Forbidden City, a bus ride to Temple of Heaven. I would stay at either one again. And the Hutong is thriving there. Eat a pork pie near Far East, and I suggest Golden Luck as a good place (in the Hutong) for Peking Duck.
There is a great respect for old trees in the Forbidden City. Just like the architecture, they were probably planted at the same time. But it's just a guess. But these trees must be hundreds or maybe thousands of years old. The trees are also part of the tour in the Forbidden City. They can be found in the gardens of Forbidden City.
Beijingers while the night away on the New Year’s Eve and visit fairs during the Spring Festival. On Lantern Festival, they eat rice dumplings and on the Dragon Boat festival they eat pyramid-shaped glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in board reed leaves. On the Day of Pure Brightness, they sweep the tombs of their deceased and for the Mid- Autumn Festival they admire the moon and hold family reunion.
The Great Wall of China at Simatai has to be one of the best spots to gain access to the imfamouse Great Wall of China.
Getting to the Great Wall of china at Simatai on a backpacker's budget is no easy task. It involves getting on a minibus from Beijing to Miyun. At Miyun, you can hire a miandi driver to take you the rest of the way. This option will set you back about $20 USD, however, you can pay more for a direct taxi ride from Beijing.
Once can only wonder what it was like for many a Chinese soldier of yesteryear walking through the many towers, doors, and paths of the Great Wall of china at Simatai.
The Great Wall of china at Simatai is not for the weak hearted. Some of the paths on the wall are reminiscent of the paths taken by Indiana Jones. Don't look back on your walk though. One wrong step at parts can cause you to fall from the edge of the Great Wall of china at Simatai. Take a look on my pictures to see one of the countless possible falling paths I walked through. So many walkways, so many paths… all remain to be discovered at Great Wall of china at Simatai.
I do have to say that although parts of site are worn down, the hike up the Great Wall of china at Simatai is worth the time and the effort!. There are so many beautiful picture moments, including this amazing view I found from a window at one of the towers at the Great Wall of china at Simatai (look in my travelogue for this and other pics).
Location: Qianmen Dajie in Chongwen District, Dashilan Jie in Xuanwu District
If you want to buy local Beijing products, Qianmen-Dashilan area is a good choice. This unique busy area lies to the south of the Tiananmen Square and features many China's time-honored shops. With a history of over 500 years, it is a tourist hotspot. Noteworthy shops, like the Ruifuxiang Silk-Since 1862, Neiliansheng Shoe Shop and the Tongrentang Chinese Medicine-Since 1669, give an elegant reflection of ancient Beijing.
I found that travelling around by Taxi in Beijing is rather safe as the driver has 'locked' themselves in a 'cage'.I guess this is to protect the driver from robbery.You then pay them through the bars.
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