The Purple Bamboo Park (ZiZhuYuan), a national AAAA-level scenic spot, was founded in 1953 and is open to the public free of charge. The park has natural landscaping and lush bamboos, making it perfect for exercise and and relaxation.
The Summer Palace (YiHeYuan), a royal garden during the Qing Dynasty, is located in the western suburbs of Beijing. The Summer Palace is a large-scale landscape garden built around KunMing Lake and WanShou Mountain and based on the design techniques of the south of the YangTze River style gardens. It is also the most complete royal palace garden in China and is known as the "Royal Garden Museum" and is a National AAAAA level scenic spot.
The boat ride along the canal between the two parks (ChangHe River) takes about 25 minutes.
Discover the vibrant capital city of China, where ancient history meets modernity. Beijing, with its rich heritage, iconic landmarks, delicious cuisine, and bustling streets, promises an unforgettable journey. ... more ...
Tianjin 天津 (Tiānjīn): Explore this coastal city known for its European-style architecture, the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel, and the Ancient Culture Street. Take a leisurely stroll along the Haihe River, visit the Porcelain House, and sample local delicacies such as Goubuli Baozi (steamed stuffed buns) and mahua (fried dough twists). ... more ...
Grand View Garden (DaGuanYuan) is a large imperial style garden; a recreation of the famous garden described in the classic Chinese novel "Dream of the Red Chamber" (also known as "A Dream of Red Mansions" or "The Story of the Stone"), written by Cao Xueqin during the Qing dynasty.
The construction of Grand View Garden began in 1984 and was completed in 1986. It covers an area of about 12 hectares (30 acres) and is designed to resemble the garden as described in the novel, with pavilions, corridors, artificial hills, ponds, and lush vegetation.
Visitors to Grand View Garden can explore various scenic spots and cultural attractions that are inspired by the characters and events from "Dream of the Red Chamber." Some of the highlights include:
Grand View Tower (Daguanyuanlou): This central pavilion serves as the main entrance to the garden and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It is a popular spot for visitors to take photos and admire the scenery.
Baochai Hall (Baochaifang): Named after one of the principal characters in the novel, Baochai Hall is a traditional Chinese-style building where visitors can learn about the life and culture of the Qing dynasty elite.
Jia Baoyu's Room (Jiabaojuyuan): This recreation of the protagonist's living quarters gives visitors a glimpse into the daily life of the fictional Jia family. The room is furnished with antique furniture and decorations reminiscent of the Qing dynasty.
Peach Blossom Island (Taoyuandong): Inspired by the idyllic setting described in the novel, Peach Blossom Island features winding paths, lush vegetation, and a tranquil pond surrounded by peach trees. It is a peaceful retreat within the garden where visitors can relax and enjoy nature.
The Eighteen Scenes of the Grand View Garden: These scenic spots are based on the poetic descriptions found in "Dream of the Red Chamber" and include attractions such as the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, the Mountain of Toads, and the Three Wisdoms Hall.
In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Grand View Garden also hosts various cultural events, performances, and exhibitions throughout the year, including traditional Chinese opera performances, calligraphy demonstrations, and art exhibitions.
Overall, Grand View Garden offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber" and experience the beauty and elegance of traditional Chinese garden design. It is a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike, providing a tranquil escape from the bustling city of Beijing.
At the foot of the awesome SiMaTai section of the Great Wall of China. A family trip in autumn.
With TimGloAdventures ...
Bonus films - JinShanLing Great Wall ...
The Forbidden City, JingShan Park and MuTianYu Great Wall ...
Keep warm; share the love; and see you in 2024 !
Featuring guests from Korea and the UK.
Traditional Chinese music flash mob; BeiJing - China together for the coming New Year - many favorite traditional songs, at the New World Trade Center Mall in Beijing ...
Bonus film - the XiaMen City Singers - Mr Q ...
Bonus film 2 - The Barberettes (from Korea; a la the Ronettes) - Be My Baby ...
Rock guitar goddess – YO YO (PinXi Liu) ...
JoySide with MiuMiu - DongDongDong / Can You Feel My Love ...
Angela Chang - A Diao 阿刁 ...
G.E.M. ...
DaiingTana and HAYA Band ...
A little but awesome busking from Taiwan island ...
'Big Fish' 大鱼, from the awesome film 'Big Fish and Begonia' ...
A great film of the Great Wall north of Beijing, including 'wild wall', accompanied by great music (踏古 (Ta Gu) by Lin Hai, 'Walking into Ancientry', with Chinese lute (pipa)).
We [mum, dad - videographer - and son and daughter, from Singapore] hiked 3 sections of the Great Wall in winter, without any guides after studying blogs and posts by fellow hikers.
All these sections are different. From the unrestored GuBeiKou Great Wall where we were the only people around, to the wonderful JinShanLing, where the climb is steep and every direction gives you good photo opportunities, to the restored MuTianYu where we hiked in heavy snowfall.
We stayed at local farmhouses on both nights, dined with the locals and hitched rides to nearby bath-houses. Temperature ranged from -5 deg C (day) to -12 deg C (night). Winter daybreak is at 7am and the sky becomes dark by 5pm so one has only 10 hours of daylight, so plan your travelling and hiking schedules carefully.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience was captured on video and we would like to share it with you. The feelings just can't be described - you need to experience it first hand.
Take only memories, leave only footprints and kindness ...
A wonderful animation combining traditional Chinese painting and dance - don't miss it !
踏古-林海
作曲:林海
视频作者:中国传媒大学动画学院
Awesome feel-good dance video ...
Locations: The Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the "Bird's Nest" Beijing National Stadium, QianHai - HouHai, the Temple of Heaven, ZhongShan Park and The Place mall.
Music:the fantastic Pink Martini - "Wo Yao Ni De Ai 我要你的爱" (I Want You, To Be My Baby)
http://swingbeijing.com/
Original posting - December 2014.
Starting with 'Now you're in Beijing (commie jungle mix)', music video.
Plus Beijing's popular attractions, a trip to the blue sky city, QianHai Lake (in central Beijing), the BeiJing to ShangHai sleeper train, and The Forbidden City (documentary; in English) bonus films ...
'Now you're in Beijing ...' - think about it - you're in Beijing, China - it might be different but that is here and not there; sure some things could be better - such as rights and protections for migrant workers, but Rome wasn't built in a day, as they say.
A few words on the Hu JinTao / Wen JiaBao era - definately one of China's most successful jumps forward; a major rise in prosperity for all, the growth of great infrastructure, such as the high-speed rail system, and much more, the Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai World Expo, space exploration, and the list goes on ... A happy retirement to two leaders who helped guide China back to greatness !
Mao ZeDong unified the country and helped defeat the Japanese invaders, and for that is a national hero. But things didn't go so well subsequently and on his death the 'Gang of Four' were arrested and China took a new path, though slowly at first following the courageous efforts of Deng XiaoPing. But it was not until circa 1990 that China really began to take off. So its rise to greatness, once more, is remarkable for having been achieved, from so little, in just 25 years. Obviously, they have done most things very right.
July lotuses and the boat to the Summer Palace ...
Boating the ancient canal route from downtown BeiJing to the Summer Palace (YiHeYuan) ...
The LiangMa River ...
BaDaLing railway station is the deepest High-speed railway station in the world, 102 meters below the ground.
With Walk For You ...
The Temple of Heaven, TianTan, in central BeiJing ...
High speed rail in China; now 38,000 kilometers ...
BeiHai Park, JingShan Park and YuanMingYuan (Old Summer Palace).
With Walk East ...
Bonus film - The Temple of Heaven / TianTan - with Walk For You ...
北京 | 前门 | 建外CBD
With Walk East ...
Bonus film - BeiJing's new maglev line ...
Bonus film 2 - A trip to the Summer Palace (YiHeYuan) in winter - with Walk For You ...
With Rafa Goes Around! ...
Self driving cars / taxis ...
Bonus film - after dark, party time in China ...
Bonus film 2 - BeiJing's new DaXing mega airport - with Walk East ...
ShenZhen, GuangDong province, plus ShangHai, including XinTianDi, and SuZhou, JiangSu province.
With Rafa Goes Around ...
BeiJing - Galaxy SoHo (Zaha Hadid, architect) - with For All Life's Adventures ...
BeiJing - Green Park View Mall, CBD area, near RiTan Park (Temple of the Sun) and 'The Place' mall ...
Bonus films ...
Supermarkets ...
BeiJing and the surrounding HeBei province (YanQing and ZhangJiaKou).
Begins Friday, 4 February, 2022, to 20th February.
"Together for a Shared Future 一起向未来".
With Rafa Goes Around! ...