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4 Stars - 58 Opinions
A little crowded Shirley?
JumpingLINDYZ, Beijing, China
tower
Beijing Cuisine
What's the best way to mangae a trip from Beijing to visit Datong and Pingyao. From there, we will be traveling to Xi'an.
Should we go to each city separately with accomodations in each city. Or should we base ourselves in Taiyuan?
Also, should we travel exclusively by train or is there better bus connections between the cities?
Thanks to all of you who have helped with earlier questions. Your advice has been more than helpful
Beijing -- bus -- Datong -- bus (via Taiyuan) -- Pingyao -- overnight train -- Xi'an.
My Beijing Overview page http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/9d07a/fa3c0/ has a similar itinerary and includes Xi'an and Luoyang.
We went the other way around..Xian to Pingyao. We went by train via Taiyuan to Beijing. We did not go to Datong so I cannot speak with full knowledge but I do believe you can catch a train there via Taiyuan. In terms of Pingyao I would recommend strongly that you stay in Pingyao and especially at the hotel where we stayed which had its own particular charm. You might also consider catching a taxi from Taiyuan to Pingyao and organising that through the hotel we stayed at.You'll have to check my pages for addresses etc. (sorry - too lazy to go and cut and paste)
the People's Hall
This building is one of the most important polictial centres of People's Republic of China.
If you are a foreigner and has no idea of the Chinese political structure, I think you can regard it as another parliament building. :-)
Like any other traditional opera, Peking Opera tells stories through movement, singing and elaborate dancing. Thus it is a graceful and consummate art which combines the best elements of literature, music and dance. First conceived and developed in Beijing (Peking), Peking Opera has only been performed for 200 years or so. But, by maintaining the heritage of traditional opera and absorbing so much from other local arts, it came to dominate the theaters of the imperial capital and enjoyed rapid growth. As it developed, Peking Opera has experienced periods of full bloom, diminishing popularity and near extinction. But in the end, it has still been passed down from generation to generation and maintained a loyal following because of its immense vitality.
If you're in Beijing and you want to get a taste of the excess of the Ching Dynasty, make a detour to the Summer Palace in Chengde. It will be very worthwhile!!! Check it out, that's me on a tree in the Summer Palace
Lamps are a particularly good bargain in Beijing, and there are plenty of lamp shops around. The best one is way out in the suburbs (near Pinnacle Plaza at the Wenyu river, if you really are a lamp fanatic) but there is a good shop in the Lai Tai area, in the long row of shops. It's just a couple of shops to the left of the entrance to the Bar Street. The gas patio lamps and heaters in the photographs are actually from the shop next door.
Most of the lamps are made on the premises, and there is a huge variety of shapes, styles and sizes. Many of them have a good solid feel, but are mainly modern. These are not the chintzy cloisonne lamps in the tourist shops, but classy lamps, many with shades made from home-made paper. Prices from RMB200 upwards.
If you can afford a little luxury, and have 12 hours to spare the new Z class trains is one of the most comfortable way to travel between Beijing and Shanghai.
Between 7pm and 8pm each day, a Z class train will leave every 7 mins and reach the other city non-stop in 12 hours flat. It is fully air conditioned, and a sleeper costs around 480 RMB.
The best part is, you can to rest peacefully for at least 6-8 hours, and the train will take you right into the city center. Beats taking a plane, where you have to worry about getting to and from the airport, check in and check out etc.
You can buy the tickets at the train station.
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Address: No.16A West Dawang Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing Region, 100124, China
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