My Beijinger Journey: Beijing Big
Although i encountered good, bad and ugly experiences, the city continued to surprise me at
every turn i made until the very last moment of my journey. My knowledge about Beijing, or Peking, was shallow then, only knowing that it is in China and is home to sites like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Bird Nest Stadium and the Water Cube, but upon my return, i discovered and learned that Beijing is truly a city to visit that represents China and its history. In this recollection of the journey, each part will feature a piece of Beijing that is worth mentioning and worth sharing.
If any mistake was made throughout the journey, it was that i underestimated the size of Beijing. My friend and i thought we could complete Beijing attractions within a couple of days and head to other nearby towns like Xi’an or Tianjin, or the old village of Cuandixia. That thought was no longer possible when i realized the enormity of this city, a city so blessed in culture and a city with abundant history, which offers much to explore and experience. If there is anyone who thinks this same thought, my only comment will be to not be overambitious, instead spread the time evenly and sufficiently so as to immerse yourself in the buzzing lifestyle in the midst of enjoying the history and modernity of the ever-growing capital of China.
My journey to Beijing began months ago when i applied to participate in a conference in Beijing and got selected. The conference was held for five days- the fifth day was a tour to some major attractions in Beijing. Granted the opportunity, my friend and i extended our stay for another five days. When i arrived at the Beijing city, known also as Beijing Downtown among the locals, i immediately noticed the overpopulation crowding the city, be it on the streets or the public transportation like the subway and bus. Sometimes, i just wonder where these people come from. Add with the flocking tourists and you’ll see humans like ants in motion. It was the end of spring and the beginning of summer when we were there; at times especially at night or early morning, the weather became chilly and cold. During the day, the sun may be shining bright but it did not feel hot (although we did get sunburned). The air quality was bad- it was hazy, smoky and dry throughout our journey. It was no wonder why i later had throat discomfort and surely did long for the air quality at, if not Tronoh, Kuala Lumpur. One of the things i never knew i would miss. I also notice some things floating in the air; i learned it was seeds of a tree.
The complex yet effective subway service belittled the lines i use in Kuala Lumpur. Packed like sardine or tuna, this mode of transport is popular because it is cheap and convenient, and i cannot agree more. From any station to any station, the ticket is a flat price fee of 2 RMB. At every entrance to use the subway, we had to put our bags through the x-ray scanner. For the bus service, each single entry cost 1 RMB regardless of the stop. A confession of dishonesty: i actually did not pay for one of my bus rides because the bus was overcrowded that i could not even put my hands out and camouflaged with the local students. I gasped once i left the bus. Given the experience (read 'My Beijinger Journey: An Ugly Stain'), i found the subway the preferred mode of transport. Research, study where you want to go and check if your destination is reachable by the subway or bus services. On another note, it was rather challenging to get connected to the Internet while i was in Beijing and do note some of the social network sites are not accessible like Facebook and Twitter. Also, Google, YouTube and even Blogger (that's why i couldn't blog from Beijing). Save these pages if you need to refer while in Beijing. Considering no Facebook for more than a week, i could actually live without one!
The currency is Renminbi, RMB or Yuan; it's value equals to about half in Ringgit Malaysia (means 100 RMB is about RM 50). Having said that, the prices of things after conversion are similar to Malaysia, sometimes requiring good bargaining skills to get the best offer. I surely have improved this skill. Most of my budget was spent on entrance fees. Language is Mandarin, English is minimal. Food was okay, street food was peculiar (see My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk) . The plug socket is the two head-flat type, so be sure to bring an international adapter to suit your chargers. Toilet was surprisingly better than i expected, especially at tourist attractions area.
I was actually taken aback by some actions by the public. Twice, at different locations, did i witness mothers breastfeeding their child in the open- something i definitely have not seen in Malaysia. Some of the children's pants are cut at the back, exposing their buttocks and so that they can easily prepare when nature calls? To be frank, from my encounters and experiences, be careful when meeting new people because not all that i've met were friendly. It could be their way of communication or interaction, but i felt, at some point, rather intimidated and unpleasant.
We stayed in the King's Joy International Hostel (also a hotel so it actually has both) at Meishi Street in Qianmen. The location is great, almost 15 minutes walk to the subway (Qianmen) station with many restaurants available outside, and nearby a McDonalds too! It has a bar at the top floor with WiFi. Does not have as much character as a hostel should be but it was cheap, 50 RMB per bed per night for six bedroom, air conditioned and clean. Highly recommended.
Beijing is really a big city. A week would be ideal to travel in and around Beijing. It was time constraint that did not allow us to visit all places, so we had to prioritize. Nevertheless, i came back with more than i expected to gain. The Great Wall of China will always remain a favourite of mine amongst the Seven Wonders of the World. The entire journey had been exhausting, legs ached from walking, but as i believe, the further you walk, the more you'll see and the more you'll learn.
And as the Chinese philosopher once said, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'. Step.
My Beijinger Journey: Beijing Big
My Beijinger Journey: I Climbed the Great Wall of China
My Beijinger Journey: A City Forbidden
My Beijinger Journey: An Ugly Stain
My Beijinger Journey: Summer Palace's Vacation
My Beijinger Journey: Olympic Park Booms and Night Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple
My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Panda Overload and the Next Stop
every turn i made until the very last moment of my journey. My knowledge about Beijing, or Peking, was shallow then, only knowing that it is in China and is home to sites like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Bird Nest Stadium and the Water Cube, but upon my return, i discovered and learned that Beijing is truly a city to visit that represents China and its history. In this recollection of the journey, each part will feature a piece of Beijing that is worth mentioning and worth sharing.
Site of all sites, behold the Great Wall of China!
If any mistake was made throughout the journey, it was that i underestimated the size of Beijing. My friend and i thought we could complete Beijing attractions within a couple of days and head to other nearby towns like Xi’an or Tianjin, or the old village of Cuandixia. That thought was no longer possible when i realized the enormity of this city, a city so blessed in culture and a city with abundant history, which offers much to explore and experience. If there is anyone who thinks this same thought, my only comment will be to not be overambitious, instead spread the time evenly and sufficiently so as to immerse yourself in the buzzing lifestyle in the midst of enjoying the history and modernity of the ever-growing capital of China.
My journey to Beijing began months ago when i applied to participate in a conference in Beijing and got selected. The conference was held for five days- the fifth day was a tour to some major attractions in Beijing. Granted the opportunity, my friend and i extended our stay for another five days. When i arrived at the Beijing city, known also as Beijing Downtown among the locals, i immediately noticed the overpopulation crowding the city, be it on the streets or the public transportation like the subway and bus. Sometimes, i just wonder where these people come from. Add with the flocking tourists and you’ll see humans like ants in motion. It was the end of spring and the beginning of summer when we were there; at times especially at night or early morning, the weather became chilly and cold. During the day, the sun may be shining bright but it did not feel hot (although we did get sunburned). The air quality was bad- it was hazy, smoky and dry throughout our journey. It was no wonder why i later had throat discomfort and surely did long for the air quality at, if not Tronoh, Kuala Lumpur. One of the things i never knew i would miss. I also notice some things floating in the air; i learned it was seeds of a tree.
I thoroughly enjoyed strolling along the Suzhou Street in the Summer Palace. Splendid and tranquil, especially with the local Chinese music in the background.
The complex yet effective subway service belittled the lines i use in Kuala Lumpur. Packed like sardine or tuna, this mode of transport is popular because it is cheap and convenient, and i cannot agree more. From any station to any station, the ticket is a flat price fee of 2 RMB. At every entrance to use the subway, we had to put our bags through the x-ray scanner. For the bus service, each single entry cost 1 RMB regardless of the stop. A confession of dishonesty: i actually did not pay for one of my bus rides because the bus was overcrowded that i could not even put my hands out and camouflaged with the local students. I gasped once i left the bus. Given the experience (read 'My Beijinger Journey: An Ugly Stain'), i found the subway the preferred mode of transport. Research, study where you want to go and check if your destination is reachable by the subway or bus services. On another note, it was rather challenging to get connected to the Internet while i was in Beijing and do note some of the social network sites are not accessible like Facebook and Twitter. Also, Google, YouTube and even Blogger (that's why i couldn't blog from Beijing). Save these pages if you need to refer while in Beijing. Considering no Facebook for more than a week, i could actually live without one!
The currency is Renminbi, RMB or Yuan; it's value equals to about half in Ringgit Malaysia (means 100 RMB is about RM 50). Having said that, the prices of things after conversion are similar to Malaysia, sometimes requiring good bargaining skills to get the best offer. I surely have improved this skill. Most of my budget was spent on entrance fees. Language is Mandarin, English is minimal. Food was okay, street food was peculiar (see My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk) . The plug socket is the two head-flat type, so be sure to bring an international adapter to suit your chargers. Toilet was surprisingly better than i expected, especially at tourist attractions area.
I was actually taken aback by some actions by the public. Twice, at different locations, did i witness mothers breastfeeding their child in the open- something i definitely have not seen in Malaysia. Some of the children's pants are cut at the back, exposing their buttocks and so that they can easily prepare when nature calls? To be frank, from my encounters and experiences, be careful when meeting new people because not all that i've met were friendly. It could be their way of communication or interaction, but i felt, at some point, rather intimidated and unpleasant.
We stayed in the King's Joy International Hostel (also a hotel so it actually has both) at Meishi Street in Qianmen. The location is great, almost 15 minutes walk to the subway (Qianmen) station with many restaurants available outside, and nearby a McDonalds too! It has a bar at the top floor with WiFi. Does not have as much character as a hostel should be but it was cheap, 50 RMB per bed per night for six bedroom, air conditioned and clean. Highly recommended.
One of the staple breakfast dishes, the Siew Long Pau, sold aplenty along the restaurants at the street near our hostel.
Beijing is really a big city. A week would be ideal to travel in and around Beijing. It was time constraint that did not allow us to visit all places, so we had to prioritize. Nevertheless, i came back with more than i expected to gain. The Great Wall of China will always remain a favourite of mine amongst the Seven Wonders of the World. The entire journey had been exhausting, legs ached from walking, but as i believe, the further you walk, the more you'll see and the more you'll learn.
And as the Chinese philosopher once said, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'. Step.
My Beijinger Journey: Beijing Big
My Beijinger Journey: I Climbed the Great Wall of China
My Beijinger Journey: A City Forbidden
My Beijinger Journey: An Ugly Stain
My Beijinger Journey: Summer Palace's Vacation
My Beijinger Journey: Olympic Park Booms and Night Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple
My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Panda Overload and the Next Stop
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