"Here is some of my experience in Beijing & Shanghai:
Beijing to go:
Forbidden City (故宫; Gu Gong) – Imperial Palace of Ming Dynasty (1406 –
1662) and Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). It serves as the political and
ceremonial centre of Chinese government, also as the home of Chinese
Emperors and their family. UNESCO World Heritage. As the largest
collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, it is
a huge museum. You can see the arts and sculptures on the building,
also some priceless jewelleries and art pieces previously owned by the
imperial family. Be prepared to spend a lot of time here.
Summer Palace (颐和园; Yi He Yuan) – Huge imperial garden of the Qing
Dynasty, UNESCO World Heritage. It declared the Summer Palace "a
masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape
of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as
pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious
ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value." It is a popular tourist
destination but also serves as a recreational park.
Temple of Heave (天坛; Tian Tan) – Built in the same time as the
Forbidden City, this complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming
and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good
harvest. UNESCO World Heritage. Not as big as the previous ones but
definitely worth to go.
The Great Wall in Ba Da Ling (八达岭长城;Ba Da Ling Chang Cheng) – As you
know, the Great Wall is huge, and not the whole Great Wall is opened
to the public, so you can only go to a specific area to see it. Ba Da
Ling is a mountain area near Beijing, and the Great Wall over there is
the one of most famous parts. This part is also a UNESCO World
Heritage. Plan your trip wisely to go there, it's far from the
downtown Beijing.
Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty (明十三陵; Ming Shi San Ling) - The
Ming tombs of the 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, located about 30
Miles north from Beijing downtown. UNESCO World Heritage. This is one
of best places to see the Chinese imperial tombs. Only 3 of the 13
tombs are excavated and opening to the public. I remember it is not
very far from the Great Wall in Ba Da Ling (not sure though), maybe
you can spend a day to go this two places.
Tian An Men Square (天安门广场; Tian An Men Guang Chang) – One of the
largest squares in the world, symbol of Beijing, even of China. The
world "Tian An Men" means "Gate of Heavenly Peace". Rebuilt in 1650s,
it was the gate of Beijing City, but now it is more like a political
symbol of PRC. Many big historical events happens there since 1400s to
now, including the proclamation of the People's Republic of China by
Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949. There are some museums around the
square, like the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. You can also watch the flag
raising ceremony each morning. The time of the ceremony depends on
what time the sun rises at that day. Please ask hotel staff (even you
don't live in hotel, you can pick any and go ask). Arrive early, it
will be crowed.
The Peking Man World Heritage Site at Zhoukoudian (周口店北京人遗址; Zhou Kou
Dian Bei Jing Ren Yi Zhi) – Not sure if you wanna go there. It is the
site where a first specimens of Homo erectus (an ancient human being),
dubbed Peking Man, was discovered. It is about 30 miles southwest from
Beijing. I have never been to there. It is a UNESCO World Heritage.
Olympic Green (奥林匹克公园; Ao lin Pi Ke Gong Yuan) – You must saw and
heard a lot about it this year…The last time I went to Beijing was 10
years ago…so I have no idea about this new attraction.
Sanlitun(三里屯酒吧街;San Li Tun) – The most famous place for night life,
including the best night clubs. You must go there, maybe every
evening? lol
Beijing to eat:
Peking Roast Duck (北京烤鸭;Bei Jing Kao Ya) – The most famous restaurant
to have the yummy roast duck is called "Quan Ju De" (全聚德). Every
people in Beijing knows it. Because it is so famous now a chain store.
But the quality is still the best of the best. Price is not cheap for
Chinese people, but since you are spending USD it should be good.
http://www.quanjude.com.cn/e_
Fang Shan Fan Zhuang (仿膳饭庄) – I don't know what it is called in
English. Its menu was from the Forbidden City – everything you eat
there was supposed to serve the imperial family, and the first several
chefs worked for the emperor. In my point of view the taste is might
not as good as the fancy restaurants outside, at least it doesn't have
chocolate or sushi or steak…But it is quite a good experience if you
want to know what kind of food the Chinese emperor had every day and
in what environment. The restaurant is located in Beihai Park
(北海公园;Bei Hai Gong Yuan), which is an imperial garden to the northwest
of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Initially built in the 10th century,
it is amongst the largest of Chinese gardens, and contains numerous
historically important structures, palaces and temples. Some stuff in
the restaurant might be very expensive, like shark fins….but even you
don't wanna spend a fortune on it, at least you can have some dessert
or simple food.
It only has Chinese website: http://www.fangshanfanzhuang.
Shanghai to go:
The Bund (外滩; Wai Tan) – Around the 1910's Shanghai was the largest
and most developed city in the Far East, even much better than Tokyo
and Hong Kong. Lots of foreign companies and government agencies were
set up around the bund, including consulates and banks of Russia, USA,
France and Britain….etc. Today those western buildings are still
there, and become the most expensive stores and clubs, it is the most
important tourist attraction of Shanghai. The Bund looks great at
night, don't miss it. You can either walk along the street, or see it
far from the other side of Huang Pu Jiang (Huang Pu River).
Yuyuan Garden (豫园; Yu Yuan) – Another must go in Shanghai, it was a
private garden first built in 1560s. You can see some traditional
Chinese building there, and have great Shanghai snacks like Soup
Dumpling (aka: Xiao Long Bao or小笼包)。 Yuyuan Garden sells great snacks
in the food court, while there is another famous old restaurant
inside. I remember you said you like Xiao Long Bao right? Make sure go
to a store called Nan Xiang Man Tou Dian (南翔馒头店, see the picture
attached), I remember it is close to the entrance of Yuyuan Garden.
Ask people around you if you can't find, every Shanghainese knows it.
Xin Tian Di (新天地) – Popular entertainment district of Shanghai,
modern night clubs and restaurants.
Oriental Pearl Tower （东方明珠电视塔; Dong Fang Ming Zhu） & Jin Mao Tower
(金茂大厦; Jin Mao Da Sha) – Highest towers and buildings in the Lu Ja Zui
financial district. Both of them have observation decks. I heard that
the new Shanghai World Financial Center (环球金融中心; Huan Qiu Jin Rong
Zhong Xin) is opened recently, if it is, that's the highest one.
Maglev Train (磁悬浮; Ci Xuan Fu) – the first commercial high-speed
maglev line in the world, and maybe it's the only one. It starts from
Longyang Road subway station to Pudong International Airport. the line
operates daily between 06:45–21:30, a one-way ticket cost ¥50
(US$7.00), or ¥40 ($5.60) for those passengers holding a receipt or
proof of an airline ticket purchase. A round-trip return ticket cost
¥80 ($11.20) and VIP tickets cost double the standard fee. The service
operates once every 15 minutes.
In normal operation, the speed and journey time vary depending upon
the time of day.
Daytime hours 06:45–08:30 08:30–17:00 17:00–21:30
Journey time 8:10 minutes 7:20 minutes 8:10 minutes
Maximum speed 300 km/h (190 mph) 431 km/h (268 mph) 300 km/h (190 mph)
Note: the maglev train is not the only way getting out of the airport.
It is just between the from Longyang Road subway station to Pudong
International Airport. Longyang Road subway station is still quite far
away from the city center. Here is options from Pudong Airport to the
city center ( I might be wrong since I don't leave in Shanghai but I
have been to there several times):
1. Taxi, the fastest and easiest way, around 20-30 USD.
2. Pudong Airport (maglev) - Longyang Road subway station (subway ) –
city center
3. Pudong Airport (bus) - Longyang Road subway station (subway ) –
city center,$3 USD total, cheapest way but slowest
4. Pudong Airport (bus) - city center, I took it before but I forgot
the schedule and where the destinations are.
That's all I know about Beijing and Shanghai. Hope it help. Feel free
to ask me more questions!"
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