My Favourite Place in China, Beijing by Tom Cranshaw

My favourite place in China is the political, social and cultural centre, Beijing; home of the Great Wall of China, Peking duck and the 2008 Summer Olympics. No place in China has more to offer in significance, scenic sights and rich history. Whereas Shanghai has progressed to the status of a modern, metropolitan urban jungle, Beijing has retained its unique historical character, whilst allowing expansion that has brought China to the forefront of the 21^st century.

I got the opportunity to visit and live in Beijing during 2010. Being new to China and Chinese culture, I first took a visit to Hong Kong, knowing it to be more western friendly, afterwards taking an overnight train to Beijing. The contrast was clearly evident. I arrived at Beijing Western Railway Station and had never seen so many people in my life. What is amazing about Beijing is the clear presence of organised chaos. It surprised me greatly to see that the city ran almost like clockwork despite the large quantity of people and the clear disregard for the rules on the roads.

Whilst in Beijing, I jumped at any opportunity to explore the city. Beijing not only leads in famous UNESCO sights, it is also a fantastic city to walk, usually with a marvellous surprise round every corner, be it a special small eats street serving some of the most delicious food in China, or a narrow, mysterious Hutong, a feature of Beijing which managed to exist to the present day. Furthermore, the people of Beijing are so friendly and individual. Nothing is more noticeable to those who have studied Chinese that the ‘er’ (儿) sound that is so consistent and present in the true Beijinger’s accent; a characteristic that gives these already fascinating people even more wonder.

Though it is difficult to choose which part of Beijing I enjoyed most, I must say that, although now almost a cliché, that the Great Wall of China must be recognised as one of the most surreal and marvellous sights not only in China, but also in the world. It is no wonder that the Great Wall has managed to impress people in the past, the present and most definitely continue in to the future. During my time of study in Beijing, a few Chinese friends took me to a part of the wall where you first climbed a steep hill to reach its parameters. Once on top of the wall, we climbed up near vertical towers to obtain some of the most astounding views I have ever experienced in my life. As the city of Beijing is so fast paced, busy and compact, seeing the serene, peaceful and vast countryside that surrounds the Wall, I could see even further how Beijing is a city of contrast and splendour.

I feel I must also make a quick comment on cuisine in Beijing. No city in the world have I seen so many restaurants, varying in size, atmosphere, price and cuisine. Even if you are sitting in a small, local restaurant in a back alley Hutong, the food is as tasty and succulent as that from London’s top Michelin restaurants, though the presentation might not match! It is also easy to see why Peking duck was the food choice of the Chinese Emperors. A favourite of many westerners, the attention to detail, the presentation and the taste of Peking duck in Beijing clearly shows us that this is definitely a dish mastered in China.

Beijing is my favourite place in China mainly due to its central theme of diversity. The streets, tourist sights, food and people all help draw in tourists to this fabulous city and help personify China’s long, developed and mature culture and history, present for over 5,000 years.

Tom Cranshaw is Travel Consultant at China Holidays. If you have any question regarding travelling to China you can call Tom on 0207 487 2999 or email him info@chinaholidays.com 

Visit two new Chinese Heritage sites added to the World Heritage List with China Holidays

Chengjiang Fossil Site in China’s balmy Yunnan province and Xanadu, the legendary summer palace of the Mongol leader, Kublai Khan, in the present-day province of Inner Mongolia, have been awarded prestigious UNESCO World Heritage site status.

Chengjiang Fossil Site (and museum) has become a Natural World Heritage Site for its spectacular fossils, over 525 million years old, which reveal the wonders of a long-dead marine ecosystem. Extinct creatures such as velvet worms have been preserved in incredible detail, along with earliest examples of the sea gooseberry, and the oldest-preserved vertebrate. Over 200 fossils are displayed at the 512 hectare site, which experts think gives the clearest picture yet of marine ecology in the Cambrian Period. It is China’s first fossil site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is already starting to attract increasing numbers of visitors from around the world, drawn by the relative freshness of its discovery and the number and quality of the artefacts.

The Chengjiang Fossil Site is in Yunnan Province in South-Western China, known for its more temperate climate and relaxed atmosphere. Yunnan is also one of the most geographically and ethnically diverse provinces in China and a favourite destination on China Holidays tours.  Other attractions in the province include the Naxi folk orchestra in Lijiang and the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge.  

There are direct flights to Kunming, the chilled-out capital of Yunnan Province, from most major cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai, and also from South-East Asian cities such as Bangkok and Rangoon.

China Holidays offer day trips within Kunming, exploring this fascinating city and its surroundings in greater depth. In addition to the Chengjiang Fossil site, visit the remarkable limestone Stone Forest, the Bamboo Temple deep in the mountains and the exotic Bird and Flower market in the old town.

Yunnan Province borders regions and countries as varied as Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sichuan Province and Tibet, making it an ideal part of China for travellers wishing to combine their holiday with one or more of these adventurous destinations. The food and culture in Yunnan itself reflects their proximity, with spicy rice noodle soup, mint and potato balls among the unusual local favourites.

Xanadu, in the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, has been added as a cultural site, underlining its status as a site of historical importance and place of legend.

Most famous to British people as the ‘stately pleasure dome’ of Coleridge’s poem ‘Kubla Khan’, present-day Xanadu represents the remains of the summer palace of Kublai Khan, grandson of the notorious Genghis.

Built in 1256, the remains of Xanadu represent the legacy of Kublai Khan’s attempts to merge Mongol and Han Chinese culture. Kublai Khan invited the Chinese architect Liu Bingzhong to design his summer palace, which he did according to the principles of feng shui. There were once reportedly 108 temples at the site. Marco Polo’s account of a visit to Xanadu in about 1275 mentions two palaces, one marble and one made of cane, surrounded twice by square stone walls. The elaborate gilt cane palace was detached and re-assembled each time Kublai Khan moved location, reflecting his nomadic Mongol heritage.

The site is also interesting historically as many discussions of religious importance took place there, leading to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism which is still an influential part of China’s culture today.

Nowadays among the remains of the city you can still see palaces, temples, tombs, nomadic encampments, canals and other water works, which are considered to be well-preserved for their age.

Xanadu is not far from the Inner Mongolian city of Xilinhot, which is famous for its beautiful grasslands and Dalinor Lake. Xilinhot is also home to an annual Nadaam Festival, a national celebration which includes Mongolian horse-riding skills, with wild races, outlandish costume competitions, wrestling and archery. Nadaam is held in early July each year. There are direct flights to Xilinhot from Beijing and Hohhot, the provincial capital of Inner Mongolia.

Visitors on China Holidays tours to the area can journey to a traditional Grassland two hours from Xilinhot – and accommodation is even in a deluxe Mongolian yurt. Guests can watch activities such as archery and a Mongolian toast ceremony, with singing and dancing around a bonfire.

China has 43 World Heritage Sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, one of the most numerous in the world. It has a further 50 sites on the UNESCO Tentative List, which hopefully will be inscribed in future years.

Discover the hidden secrets of China’s past with China Holidays.  As specialists in China, with over 10 years’ experience organizing holidays, we can help you with exclusive group departures or unique tailor made holidays to suit your own individual needs. China Holidays make sure to go the extra mile at all times to provide you with an unforgettable, experience of a lifetime. For comprehensive information on how we can help with your travel arrangements, call China Holidays’ friendly team of expert advisors on 020 7487 2999, or contact us by email on sales@chinaholidays.com. 

Green Lake Park in Kunming, China

The Green Lake (翠湖) is a park – a lake, flowers, trees – lying in the heart of the crowded city of Kunming. It’s always been a popular meeting place; the older generation taking their traditional stroll after dinner, hoping for a long life; couples enjoying the seclusion of the trees; children flying kites and eating snacks. At weekends choirs crowd around the small pagodas, practising traditional songs.

Since 1985 every year Siberian seagulls have migrated to Kunming. Their arrival, around the beginning of November and earlier each year, has become an exciting event for locals of all ages. Thousands of people gather to feed them, with street vendors selling seagull food and snap-happy natives posing in front of them when they fly or snatch food. 

A monument next to the lake tells the story of a local man, Wu Qinghen, known by everybody as ‘Father Seagull’.  Wu Qinghen worked in a factory, and had a hard life. After he retired he had very little money at home. But as he didn’t have any children, he did have a lot of time on his hands. He would go to Green Lake, and walk and look around. When the seagulls suddenly started appearing, he bought bread for them, eventually spending a large part of his £30 monthly pension on their food. He grew to know and love them, and gave each seagull a name. When he didn’t have enough money to buy bread, or he wanted to give them something different to eat, he would prepare a mixture of flour and eggs. After his death in 1995, all that was found in his possession were four chopped-up eggs, ready to give to the seagulls. In 2006 a monument was erected in his honour – the first to be made of an ordinary citizen in Kunming.

   Wu Qinghen ‘Father Seagull’.

How to get there: 翠湖公园 (Green Lake Park)

Located in Central Kunming – near Qingyun Road, Wenlin Jie, and Yunnan University. Very accessible and easy to find – every taxi driver and Kunming resident will know where it is. It is a ten minute walk from Renmin Road. 

China Holidays can organise a bespoke tailor made tour in Yunnan Province including visit to Kunming. For more infroamtion please call 020 7487 2999 or visit our site by clicking here.