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Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China is the nation's political, cultural, scientific and educational heart as well as a key transportation hub. Beijing has served as the capital of the country for more than 800 years. The city has many places of historic interest and architectural/scenic beauty. Beijing's travel industry has forged forward after China's economic reforms in 1978, and the city is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Beijing became the focus of world attention in 2008 when it hosted the Olympics. The games were a symbol of both China’s progress and China’s tradition with high-class and eye-catching facilities and spectacular ceremonies. People from all around the world were welcomed to travel to Beijing under the slogan "One World, One Dream".
Most Chinese restaurants outside China serve Cantonese, Sichuan or Shanghai food. The typical Beijing food is rather different. Rice is not grown in north China as abundantly as in the south and the staple cereal is wheat. Steamed bread, dumplings and many kinds of noodles form the basis of any Beijing meal. The most commonly eaten vegetables are those of a northern climate-carrots, spinach, turnips, onions, scallions and large white cabbages.
Beijing has adopted and modified various northern cooking techniques-particularly for barbecuing or boiling mutton-which are not a special feature of its cuisine. But the capital's most celebrated dish, famous far beyond the broilers of China, is Peking duck'.
White-feathered Beijing ducks are raised in the outskirts of the city. One such farm, near Landianchang alongside the Jingmi Irrigation Canal that flows out of Kunming Lake, can be visited on the way to the Summer Palace. For the last two weeks or their life, the ducks are force fed a rich diet of grain and beans. When they reach The kitchen, boiling water is poured over the bird, which is then hung for several hours to dry. The cluck is basted with syrup, and air is pumped into it to separate the skin from the layer of fat underneath, so ensuring that the skin is crisped while the bird cooks on a spit. The skin, which is the delicacy, is eaten with small pancakes, scallions and a thick, salty bean sauce. After slices of meat have been eaten, the rest of the bird is often used to make stock for soup which is served at the end of the meal.
The other Famous dish of Beijing is the shuanyangrou, usually known in English as Mongolian hotpot. More suitable for winter than summer, cooking is done at the table in boiling stock contained in a charcoal-burning metal pot with a chimney. The diners themselves plunge finely sliced mutton into the stock, then vegetables. beancurd, and vermicelli.
Beijing has a long-established tradition of excellent restaurants which offer the best of China's many regional cuisines. This reputation is still well justified and first-class restaurants serve food from Sichuan, Shanxi, Shandong, Hunan, Canton and Shanghai.
Most foreigners traveling in groups drink Chinese beer or sweet Chinese-produced soft drinks. Chinese wines are mostly quire sweet, although dry grape wines, both red and white, are increasingly popular in places where foreigners eat.
There are some excellent rice wines, such as Shoaling. The highly potent Chinese spirit Maotai, made from sorghum, is good for any flagging social occasion and is a great stimulus to speechmaking, but it is an acquired taste. Imported alcohol is widely available in restaurants, as is draught beer. Some Chinese wines produced by joint-venture wineries are quite palatable, especially Dragon Seal and Great Wall wines for between 25 and 50 yuan per bottle.
Beijing, which serve as the capital of China has long been one of the largest and most important transportation hub throughout East Asian region. There are basically four main transportation methods throughout Beijing, including railway, roads, air and subway. Most of the international tourists choose to reach Beijing by airways. However, if you are travelling to Beijing from other cities of China, you can also try on a cheaper way which is by railway services in order to go on your Beijing travel. You may take the opportunity to enjoy the countryside scenery along your journey to Beijing. However, after you reached Beijing, the major methods that can be used for travelling around are either by Beijing subway or on road transportations.
Beijing Capital International Airport which is located about 20 kilometers to the North East of Beijing city centre and being one of the largest airports in the world is the main hub of airways reaching China. This airport which serves as the most important gateway to the capital of China has currently available with three terminals. Most international flights are landed at either Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. For the convenience of transit passengers especially for those who are going to transit between terminals, complimentary shuttle bus between terminals is available. Moreover, the Airport Express which offers an express way to the heart of Beijing within 30 minutes is the most suitable transportation method especially for those who would like to escape from the crowded traffic of Beijing. On top of that, this express way is connected to Beijing Subway system at Line 10 and Line 2 which provide the fastest route for those who are in rush of time. There are some other airports in Beijing, such as Nanyuan Airport, Xijiao Airport, Beiyuan Airport, Liangxiang Airport, Shahe Airport, Tongxian Airport, Miyun Airport, Badaling Airport etc. However, majority of these airports are for military used and is less known to the public.
Beijing Subway system can be considered as the best way to travel around in Beijing. Major attractions are mostly reachable by Beijing subway system. So it is very convenient to go to the famous attractions, which make your Beijing Tours much easier. Since the establishment of Beijing Subway system in 1971, it has encountered a huge development and keeps on expansion especially for the purpose of Beijing Olympic 2008. Olympic Stadium is a must place for your Beijing Tour. There are a total of 7 lines on service at this moment excluding Beijing Airport Express. Line 1 is the oldest subway line available in Beijing which connects between Pingguoyuan (West part of Beijing) and Sihuidong (East part of Beijing). Major subway train of Line 1 has been replaced by new ones, however, some old train are still in service. Line 2 which run a loop under the 2nd ring road, Line 5 which connects between Tiantongyuanbei (North part of Beijing) and Songjiazhuang (South part of Beijing), Line 8 which reaches the Olympic Green, Line 10 which connects between Bagou (North West part Beijing) and Jinsong (South East part Beijing), Line 13 which runs a semi-looping from Dongzhimen to Xizhimen, and Batong Line which runs from Sihui to Tuqiao at eastern part of Beijing are servicing the public and wishing to provide a high quality transportation method to locals and foreigners as well. Nowadays, the constructions of Beijing Subway are still in process and are estimated to be completed in 2015. It is hope to ensure every corner of Beijing is well-connected by subway system. The complete subway System will add convenience and save a lot of time for your Beijing tours.
Annually millions of guests visit Beijing, and it used to be difficult to find a bed for the night. All this has changed however, with the influx of modern hotels and improvements in travel services (like this web site). Beijing now has enough hotels and services to compete with any major city in the world. Considering the number of people though, it's a good idea to book your hotel in advance and we offer lots of great deals in our hotel index and reservation system.
There are some great international five and four star hotels in Beijing today. If you're looking for first class accommodation, a multitude of polished marble palaces await you! Service is attentive and facilities are complete. Most international hotels also offer high quality cuisine and have impressive business and sports amenities. Prices correspond with most Western cities and, especially for this class of hotel, it's advisable to book in advance. The city also has some smaller, more personal places, offering a more intimate type of accommodation and services. These three star hotels are often good value for money and are great if you don't mind being a little outside the city center.
Although Beijing is an expensive city compared to the rest of China, there are a few budget lodging options available. Travelers on a tight budget will however, face greater competition for beds than those with a little more money to spend. The cheaper options in the city while good value for money, are invariably full. Furthermore, the budget places tend to be a little out of the city but the subway and other public transport here is extensive. It's a good idea to call ahead before you trek out. For more information about hotels in Beijing, please refer to the index.
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