Travel in China

Are the Beijing Olympics giving you the inspiration and desire to journey to the other side of the globe? If so, break out your Rosetta Stone and check out some must-see attractions to schedule for your future travel China.

Summer Palace
Admission: 35 RMB
Bus Routes 690, 808, 826
6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

These are the ruins of the palaces and the beautiful gardens of the Qing Emperors. They are extensive enough that if you want to get away from the crowds, leave the front area and you will find some seclusion (and beat the air pollution on a good day) in the caves and ruins of the rear hill and lake area.

The Hutongs
Free
2nd Ring Road Area, especially near Quianmen and Houhai

These are the narrow, winding street-alleyways that characterize medieval Beijing. They make for the same sort of charming strolling that the core of an old European town does, and the best part is that it’s free! The houses are mostly in the courtyard-based siheyuan style. Come see them soon, as these neighborhoods are being demolished to make space for modern, booming Beijing.

The Forbidden City
Admission: 60 RMB; Audio Guide Device for 40 RMB plus deposit
Subway Line 1; Bus Routes 1, 4, 52, 101,109, 728 and 810.
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Come early if you want to beat the crowds and enjoy some relative calm in Beijing’s premiere tourist attraction. This was the home of the Chinese Emperor during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and stands as the world’s largest palace complex. Only two-fifths of the sprawling compound is open to the public, but that is still enough to occupy hours; it isn’t called The Forbidden City for nothing.

Tiananmen Square
Free
Bus Routes: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; or walk from The Forbidden City
Open All Day

Built by Mao Zedong to impress the world, flanked by ubiquitous Communist-style buildings and the site of the infamous 1989 massacre, it is China’s monument to Mao and his brand of Communism. It is located near The Forbidden City, so the pair can be rolled into one day of sight-seeing. Entry into Mao’s Mausoleum is free, but expect long lines.

Panjiayuan, “The Dirt Market”
Free, except any purchases
West of East Third Ring Road, between PanjiayuanBridge and HuaweiBridge
Saturday and Sunday, 4:30am-5pm

This is the flea market of China, and is the best place to go looking for bargains in art, textiles, antiques, knick-knacks and just plain junk. Most of the stall operators are villagers hawking wares from their hometowns, so there are real gems to be found if you are willing to spend enough time hunting for them. Also, markets in general are the first place to go looking for an easily-accessible, authentic, local experience.

Submitted By: China Assistor