Unique Places in Beijing Shi

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Here are more photos of the museum at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. These photos were taken at the history section of the museum, which depicts the historical evolution of traditional Chinese medicines which date back several thousands of years ago in Chinese history when human civilisation was just beginning.

For China, traditional Chinese medicine is more than just medicine, as it is part of the culture of the Chinese people which follows them throughout their history. The fact that it is still here today shows that it has withstood the test of time.

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The Beijing University of Chinese Medicine is one of the most famous universities in the world for teaching traditional Chinese medicine. I managed to visit this university during a working trip in 2008, and part of the visit is going to their museum on traditional Chinese medicine where there are lots of exhibits of Chinese herbs, history of traditional Chinese medicine etc. I think this museum is opened to the public and is worth a visit if you are interested in traditional Chinese medicines. Please go to part 2 of this tip.

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When visiting the temple of Heaven, most tourists start from the south gate and work their way through the major monuments by heading straight upwards to the north gate. The areas surrounding the Temple of Heaven to the east and west sides are very beautiful and consists of gardens and some ancient buildings which is worth exploring when you have the time. You will also experience many locals relaxing at these areas as this is one of their favourite hangouts.

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The Beijing Film Studio. An old Russian era complex once used to make propaganda films. Now, it is the site where Kill Bill, House of Flying Dagger, Painted Veil made used of old leaking sound stages to make movie magic. Located next to the north Third Ring Road, the studio takes up a huge area that including indie TV production houses, post facilities, actor studios, diners, apartments, and even a small park. It is all old and run down. There is even a knock off version of the studio tour on a cheap rusty tram. Lots of people hang out in front of the studio seeking extra work. I think they get around 75 RMB a day. Tough gig!

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Have you ever had the urge to put your crazy screaming kids in a big bubble? Now featured at the Chaoyang Park....yep...kids in bubbles! What do they do in the bubbles? Roll around, run, whatever they want! What about leaks? Well, the last time I went, it seemed alright, but then again it's China...hehe

There's also fake horse riding for the little ones if water sports are not your cup of tea.

Chaoyang Park is huge. So you might have to walk around a bit to find this pond with the bubbles.

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Due to just having arrived back in Beijing from a 3 week holiday back home in Gibraltar, I was a little jet lagged. I hadn't helped matters either by sleeping during the day instead if keeping awake till night time! So as the sun came up somewhere between 430 and 500am this morning and the day looked like it was going to be beautiful, I decided to go for a bike ride to one of my favourite areas in Beijing, Hou Hai. Camera in hand, I was ready!

So the next few tips are more a travelogue of Beijing from 6am to 8pm on July 21st 2006!

They will be in themes, with this one being the ' hustle and bustle of morning breakfast buying!'

I hope you enjoy reading and seeing the photos as much as I did seeing it first hand and experiencing a beautiful Beijing morning!

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This park is called Yuan Da Du Yi Zhi Park. It is located north of the north Third Ring Road near the Beijing Film School. What is special about this park is that it is built on top of the dirt mound that used to be the outer wall for Beijing when it was the capital for Yuan dynasty around the 1300s. The locals used to call it the Stinky Canal because well, the water used to stink. But now it is quite a pretty park full of small bridges and trees. Of course, as in all the city parks here, no stepping on grass...hehe

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And to finish the day off, this last theme is 'sights around the lake'.

I cycled for two hours in this area stopping now and then to take photos. I was amazed at how many I could get without people walking in front of them which is usually the case in every photo in China. It was peaceful, serene and beautiful. If only every day in China could be like this! And the one thing i enjoyed was the fact that there was no shouting and no hassling me into bars or shops..pure heaven!