BeiJing
Beijing is, of
course, the capital of China. What is not commonly realized is that
several of the last dynasties were not "Chinese". The last one, the
Qing Dynasty, was a Manchurian Dynasty (Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911
A.D.)). The Yuan Dynasty was a Mongolian Dynasty (Yuan Dynasty (1279 -
1368 A.D.))that referenced the famous poem by Samual Cooleridge:
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a pleasure dome decree"
Many believe that Xanadu was an ancient name for Beijing.
So much of what you see in Beijing is of Mongolian building, but not all of course. The massive enlargement of Tianamen Square was made by the Yuan Dynasty, Mongolian.
To see Mongolian culture, you must head North. Far North.
Go to Hailar or UlanHot for the grasslands. Hailar is famous and flat. The famous Hulumbuir grasslands. You can see them driving between ManJouli and Hailair.Ulanhot is prettier and has hills/mountains.
However, the best is alway harder to get to. Airplane flights are frequent and direct for Beijing and Shanhai to Hohot, but to Hailar and Ulanhot you must go through Beijing. Thera are no direct flights in August 2011 to Hailar or Ulanhot from Shanghai.
Trains are much cheaper, about 25% the cost, but train tickets from Beijing sell out very, very fast. Even 10 days before, tickets are gone. One trick is to go to and from Tianjin, only a 30 minute ride on a bullet train to Beijing.
So, have confirmed tickets when you leave Beijing so you are assured of getting back. Plane tickets are expensive, yes, but guarenteed. We can try to get you tickets here, but no guarentee. You can return your air tickets for a partial refund if we can get tickets. Read the fine print as to what you can expect in a refund. As in all Western countries, different tickets have different refund policies ranging from full to none!!!!! Check to avoid surprises.
To see all of Beijing you should allow about 4 to 7 days. It is a big city. The Great Wall alone will take a haf day.
Remember there are many train stations in Beijing, not only one. There are four air terminals in Beijing, three at Capital airport and one at NanYuan. Depending on where you are in Beijing, to get to an airport will take you 30 to 90 minutes.
We know Beijing quite well, but do not usually guide there. We can, but we have associations with good travel companies there.
So come to Beijing. It is a huge city with a lot to do and see. Ya Show? XuiXui? SanLiTun? XiDan? HouHai? Chaoyang Park? LanDao? NuRenJie? and much more.
There are numerous hotels in Beijing, ranging from 6 star to no star. We have some recommendations, but check out their website.
So come to Beijing. It is huge. Allow time. A week to see all including the historic sites and the new. Half that time if you only want historic sights or the new.
We can, of course, guide you if you want an informal guide, although far North is our speciality.
Updated: 08/22/2011
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a pleasure dome decree"
Many believe that Xanadu was an ancient name for Beijing.
So much of what you see in Beijing is of Mongolian building, but not all of course. The massive enlargement of Tianamen Square was made by the Yuan Dynasty, Mongolian.
To see Mongolian culture, you must head North. Far North.
Go to Hailar or UlanHot for the grasslands. Hailar is famous and flat. The famous Hulumbuir grasslands. You can see them driving between ManJouli and Hailair.Ulanhot is prettier and has hills/mountains.
However, the best is alway harder to get to. Airplane flights are frequent and direct for Beijing and Shanhai to Hohot, but to Hailar and Ulanhot you must go through Beijing. Thera are no direct flights in August 2011 to Hailar or Ulanhot from Shanghai.
Trains are much cheaper, about 25% the cost, but train tickets from Beijing sell out very, very fast. Even 10 days before, tickets are gone. One trick is to go to and from Tianjin, only a 30 minute ride on a bullet train to Beijing.
So, have confirmed tickets when you leave Beijing so you are assured of getting back. Plane tickets are expensive, yes, but guarenteed. We can try to get you tickets here, but no guarentee. You can return your air tickets for a partial refund if we can get tickets. Read the fine print as to what you can expect in a refund. As in all Western countries, different tickets have different refund policies ranging from full to none!!!!! Check to avoid surprises.
To see all of Beijing you should allow about 4 to 7 days. It is a big city. The Great Wall alone will take a haf day.
Remember there are many train stations in Beijing, not only one. There are four air terminals in Beijing, three at Capital airport and one at NanYuan. Depending on where you are in Beijing, to get to an airport will take you 30 to 90 minutes.
We know Beijing quite well, but do not usually guide there. We can, but we have associations with good travel companies there.
So come to Beijing. It is a huge city with a lot to do and see. Ya Show? XuiXui? SanLiTun? XiDan? HouHai? Chaoyang Park? LanDao? NuRenJie? and much more.
There are numerous hotels in Beijing, ranging from 6 star to no star. We have some recommendations, but check out their website.
So come to Beijing. It is huge. Allow time. A week to see all including the historic sites and the new. Half that time if you only want historic sights or the new.
We can, of course, guide you if you want an informal guide, although far North is our speciality.
Updated: 08/22/2011