The place I liked the most in...
by Natrix
The place I liked the most in Beijing was the Summer Palace. From all the big attractions with horrendous entry-prizes (35 Yuen! :-P ), it was really the most worth-while. The 'Summer Palace' is basically a very large, beautiful parc with a lake and lots of different natural scenery (rare in China!), which used to be the imperial residence during Qing dynasty. Since its construction in 1750 it's been destroyed completely two times by foreign powers, so most of it is quite new, built in 1902.
The Empress Dowager Cixi, the last Chinese Monarch I think (?) also used to hang around here a lot. She restored the garden in 1886 after it had been burnt down by the Brits & the French, spending a whole lot of money on it while people were starving, just so it could be destroyed again by the Eight-Power(!) Allied Forces in 1900. The Marble Boat is a good symbol for how Cixi ruined the country, cause she spent the whole of the budget meant to build up the Chinese navy and empower the country against enemies, to rebuilt A MARBLE BOAT!!
Anyway, looking at this picture from the gorgeous Lotos-pond at the 'Garden of Harmonious Pleasures' you must admit she had taste!! The Summer Palace is a bit offbeat, in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing, but it's quite easy to get there by bus. It was very full of (mostly Chinese) tourists, but cause it's so big it doesn't matter as much as in the Forbidden City for example. There are many beautiful things to see in it (The long corridor, Suzhou street, the Porcelain Pagoda or the Tower of Buddhist Virtue for example - also check out the Travelogue!) and lots of nature, a place to spend a whole day at and do a picnic here and then!
Bargain Hard in the Markets, not so much in shops.
by vic&michael
After experiencing the thrill of getting a good bargain in the markets, and with road-side stalls, I went shopping in clothing and jewellery shops along the main road (that Jishuitan stn is on). I tried my bargaining tactics with them. It didn't work well. I think they were annoyed. They might maybe discount you 10-20 RMB, that's all. Or you can get a special price if you buy 2 or more. But generally the quoted price is near to the price they are going to sell to you. One Jewellery shop had a sign, 'No bargaining please'. So, just try it tenatively in nicer shops around Beijing. You may get a discount, but don't hope for any amazing price cut like in the markets!
Forbidden city - guides
by asp005
As we approached the forbidden city, a number of people approached us offering guide services. One person in particular, named Julia, offereed to show us the main parts of the Forbidden city in a tour lasting two hours for 180 yuan. She spoke very good English and seemed very polite and nice, so we took up on her offer. The tour started of very weel (we had to buy the entrance ticket for her as well). She showed us some of the attractions and told stories about the building. Then she took us to a small section within the city, without any sign boards, and tokk us in a room, where allegedly the nephew of the last emperor greets visitors and you can take a picture with him, and have a cup of tea. We felt something was odd (having read the tips about tea tasting on this site), and declined to sit and have tea in that room, or meet the nephew, and came out of that section. As soon as we did that, the guide suddenly lost all interest and declared that the tour was over (it was less than an hour after we had started). Having paid the 180 yuan, we decided to explore the city on our own, and actually managed to find and see many more interesting things on our own.
Shopping Heaven
by urban4est about Wangfujing Street
On this Beijing street you should be able to find anything you need or want. Small shops and department stores cater to every need. I bought Mao style hats for gifts at the hat shop. This shop made hats for Mao, Chou and others. Some are in the window. Anything at a good price
Sail about In Xidan
by wwliu about Bank Building
Now, carry sight to south. It's China Minsheng Banking Corp.,LTD and China Everbright Bank. Don't you feel Bank building also is so beautiful? Because it stand beside Changan Street, the most beautiful street in China. any dress
Great Wall 2
Yummy pastries
Tiananmen Square in Beijing
beef ball.
