Home is Where Your Passport Is: Beijing – The City That Keeps Surprising You

Some of us are programmed to explore, others are programmed to dream. Regardless of which category you fall into, there is a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered. Her.ie’s new weekly travel guide brings you to some of the most inspiring places in the world and dares you to turn those dreams into an adventure of a lifetime. As the saying goes, ‘home is where your passport is’ – so where will your passport end up next? ___________________________________________ China’s capital Beijing is a city that will constantly surprise you, continually amaze you and will certainly be an experience that you won’t forget too quickly. From bustling markets to unusual local traditions, Beijing gets under your skin and invites you to delve deeper into a city that is full of contradictions. The Great Wall The first thing you have to do on a trip to Beijing is organize your trip to the Great Wall of China. Most of the local hotels and hostels run trips to the famous landmark. Some of the most famous sections of the wall include the well-known Badaling section, which is probably the most photographed section. However, to avoid the crowds, the Mutianyu section is a good one to take a trip to as well. Handy hint: Wrap up warm, wear comfy shoes and make sure to bring a picnic with you as it’s a very long day! Tiananmen Square Bang in the heart of the city centre is the famous Tiananmen Square where you can see a number of monuments and you can visit the Tiananmen Tower along with the Great Hall of the People. Handy hint: Find out from your hotel what time the flag-raising ceremony is at and head down to the Square in plenty of time for it – it will be well worth your while. The Forbidden City Perhaps one of the other most famous legacies from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City is also in Beijing’s city centre and was the imperial palace for 24 different emperors. It was forbidden to enter without the special permission from the emperor – hence the name – and is north to Tiananmen Square. Handy hint: You can link up with a tour of the area, but it is much nicer to have free roam and take it at your own pace. Summer Palace Located about 10 miles outside of the city, the Summer Palace is the largest royal park in China and is a beautiful day trip. Extremely well-preserved with stunning natural views, make a day of it and take your time to stroll through the beautiful surroundings. Handy hint: Make the lake section of the park one of your main stops – it’s absolutely breathtaking. Beijing Zoo If you are a fan of animals then Beijing Zoo is a good stop on your trip to the city. It was the first of its kind to be opened in China. Not only does it boast a diverse collection of animals but it also has a number of sites of historical interest. Handy hint: Get there early to get a glimpse of the giant pandas, golden monkeys and northeast tigers before the queues start. Shopping Beijing is paradise for any of you shoppers out there! From all the high street stores – though have fun looking for sizes – to the markets, you are sure to bag a number of bargains. Handy hint: Be sure to visit Silk Street market and Yashow market on your trip. Hutong Make sure to visit the Hutong and Courtyard area of Beijing. Take some time out and wander through the area, stop for lunch and in general, enjoy the sights and sounds of Beijing. Handy hint: Take a rickshaw tour of the area. The Ming Tombs If you have a bit of time, take a trip to the Ming tombs 50 kilometres outside of Beijing. They are not a must-see but are certainly worth a day trip if time is on your side. Handy hint: In the same way, the Terracotta army is a bit of a trek out of Beijing, but also worth a visit if you have the time to do so. Insider's tip: There are a lot of key tips for China that you need to know before you go: If you leave your accommodation to go and explore, get the receptionist to write out the name of where you want to go in Chinese AND make sure they write down the name of your accommodation for you too. Not many people in the capital speak English, particularly not taxi drivers or bus drivers so these slips of paper will be your life saver - especially if you're trying to get back to your hotel! If you are a beer drinker, make sure to sample the local Tsingtao beer. And finally… taking a trip through the Summer Palace? Visit this guy (pictured below) and he will do some beautiful handmade authentic presents for you.