B E I J I N G

When staying in Hong Kong/China for four months, Beijing was a must-go trip. 

We did not know what to expect from Beijing, because a lot of people did not like it. They told us it was so dirty, that the Chinese spit and fart everywere, and that the kids have hoels in their diabers and poop is all around the place. Its true that the Chinese spit everywere, and that the kids have hoels in their diabers, but we loved Beijing and had a great time anyways. Beijing is an amazing city, and its pretty looking with many trees, parks and cool builidings all over.

This is some of the stuff we did in Beijing, and what I would recommend to you.


1. Temples - Llama Temple
The Llama temple was build in 1694 and is a Buddhist paradise. It is the largest Buddhist temple in China, with its many statues of Buddhas and even one which is 25 metres tall. Its a quite, serence place in the middle of busy Beijing, and definitly worth a visit.

2. The Forbidden city
The Forbidden City is located in the middle of Beijing and for almost 500 years it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.
The Forbidden City were build in 1406 to 1420, and consists of 980 buildings and covers 720 000m2.
It´s huge, and you should spend a couple of hours here walking around, inside and outside the temples.

3. Tianamen Square
Tianamen Square is the largest public square in the world, and in the center of Beijing, close to the Forbidden City. A lot of tourist visit the square on the way to the Forbidden City.
Tianamen Square has great cultural significance for the Chinese, and you can see Chinese tourist gathered in big groups (often with matching clothes or hats) on every corner. A lot of important events in Chinese history happend here,  in 1989 when the Chinese military stormed a student protest for democracy and massacred hundreds of civilians.
We visited the square at sunrise, when the flag is raised. People from all around China come to see the daily flag show.

Tianamen Square at sunrise. In the back you can see Mao´s Rostroom. Under Mao´s picture
there´s a corridor which leads into Forbidden City.

4. ..and around Tianamen Square
Around Tianamen Square you can see the Mao Zedong Mausoleoum, National Museum of China, Great Hall of the People. No point of skipping this when you´re already in the area.

Great Hall of People

5. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, known for its impressive Chinese landscapes and beautiful gardens. Its one of the most beautiful places in Beijing, surrounded by the Hill of Longevity and Kunming Lake - you should definitly not miss it! Its a 20min cab ride outside of the city centre.

7. Temple of heaven
The Temple of Heaven is worth a visit. The temple was built so the Emperors would have a palce to pray to the heaven and offer up sacrifices.
The temple is surrounded by trees and gardens, and some of the trees are over 100 years old. Around in the garden there are alot of chinese people practicing tai chi, playing instruments, singing, dancing and flying with there kites. Its a beautiful temple and a beautiful walk, and you should visit it in the morning when its less crowded.

6. The Great Wall
The Great Wall is believed to be 21 196 kilometers long and it is a gigantic construction and a must visit when visiting Beijing. The wall can be visitied from three different spots, where I would strongly recommend that you go to "Jinshanling". Its a 3 hours drive each way, but its definitly worth it. It is the most isolated section of the wall, and is less crowded, due to this it has the most breathtaking views.

7. Olymic City
Visit Beijings super-modern Olympic Village, with famous architectural works like the Bird´s Nest Stadium and Water Cube.

Dancing in front of the Water Cube - Beijing National Aquatics Centre

8. Peking Duck
If you are visiting Beijing, you cannot miss the Peking Duck. Its a typical dish of the city Beijing, and it dates back to the Yuan Dynasty and its following tradition when the duck is prepared, presented and consumed is important even today. The cooking technique is a long and specific process, one example is that the ducks are specially raised for this dish.

9. Wudaokou Clothing Market
After visiting Seoul I love Korean clothing and styles. And when we read in Lonely Planet that there are a Koraen Shopping Centre in Beijing, we had to check it out. It took us a while to find it, cause its in the middle of nowhere and it does not look like a shopping mall at all. Its a big grey building filled with shops, and only one entrance (a bit flammable I would say).
The "mall" is filled with so much cool stuff, and so cheap - definitly worth a visit if you´re keen on doing some shopping! And apparently this is where the cool kids and students shop, so prices are lower than in most other Beijing markets.
Obs. There is one ATM with a lone line, and the shops only accept cash so bring a lot of cash with you.

How to get there: Adr: 261 Beisihuan Zhongly. Take subway line 13 to Wudaokou, then walk about 15 minutes up ChengFu Lu.

Caroline outside the mall,  very happy about her newly
shopped Haribo Bears bag.

10. Markeds
There are so many markets in Beijing, and you should definitly visit one or two of them. You can find an antique market, silk market, toy market, pearl market, electronic market.. the list goes one. Google it, or check lonely planet for information!

Buy a Panda at the Toy Market

Go on a treasure hunt at the Antique Market

11. Hutongs
The Hutongs have been formed since 907 in Beijing, and there are more than 2000 of them, but only 360 have a name. The Hutongs are small, narrow streets - some where you can find a selection of restaurants, cafees and small, vintage shops, others only home to locals where you can see the traditional ways of living in Beijing. Go explore the citys ancient alleyways.

One Hutong we found and really liked:
Wudaoying Hutong, right by the Lama temple. Take the subway to Andingmen, and check your map - its not hard to find.

We liked Woudaoying Hutong. So cosy, with cafees, vintage shops,
lots of trees, and old houses.

Cute kids

Small vintage shops everywhere

12. Rent a bike!
We never did, but we heard Beijing is a great city for biking, and is a great opportunity to explore the old Beijing, to see the hutongs, not to mention a good way to get around.

13. Wangfujing Dajie
Looking for chain stores and some modern shopping? Wangfujng Dajie is the street for you! Its close to the Forbidden City, and its huge - quite easy to find on the map.

14. 798 art district
This area is filled with gallerys, cafees, artshops and small boutiques. It attracts Beijings hipsters, artists, collectors and art lovers. Its a cool area, definitly worth a visit!

15. Modern Beijing
Wide roads, endless shoppingstreets, skyscrapers, parks, architecture everywhere!

Driving cabs all around Beijing

16. Food(?)
Its a known fact that you can eat almost everything in China. And if you feel like snacking on a sheep penis or a snake go to one of the evningmarkets.
(I cannot remember the name of this evning market, but it was close to Wangfujing Dajie, and I think its mentioned in Lonely Planet).

17. Cafe Culture
There are so many cosy cafees in Beijing!

cosy cafe with a friendly owner in Wudaoying Huton 

serious cafe culture 798 district