George Galloway on the Hong Kong riots

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With WestChinaGo ... With BeijingBuzzz ... With Ross ... With China Walking Tour ... With Chris ... Summer Palace Visitor Guide - BeiJing Overview The Summer Palace, located in the HaiDian district of Beijing, is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces. It served as a royal garden and retreat for the Qing Dynasty emperors and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Getting There Location: 19 XinJianGongMen Road, HaiDian District, Beijing, China. Public Transport: Subway: Line 4, Beigongmen Station (North Palace Gate), Exit D. Alternatively, Line 10, Xiyuan Station, Exit C2. Bus: Several bus lines stop near the Summer Palace, including routes 303, 330, 331, 332, 346, 508, 579, and 584. Opening Hours April 1 to October 31: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM (ticket sales and last entry at 4:00 PM) November 1 to March 31: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ticket sales and last entry at 3:00 PM) Tickets April 1 to October 31: Entrance Fee: ¥30, Through Ticket (includes Dehe Garden, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Suzhou Street, and Wenchang Hall): ¥60 November 1 to March 31: Entrance Fee: ¥20, Through Ticket: ¥50 Main Attractions The Summer Palace is rich with historical and cultural sites. Here are some of the main attractions: Kunming Lake: This large lake dominates the Summer Palace and is ideal for boating. It covers about three-quarters of the park's area. Longevity Hill: Standing 60 meters high, it provides excellent views of the lake and surrounding area. Important buildings such as the Tower of Buddhist Incense are located here. Seventeen-Arch Bridge: A long, beautiful bridge that connects the eastern shore of Kunming Lake to Nanhu Island. Long Corridor: A 728-meter-long covered walkway decorated with intricate paintings, connecting the Hall of Dispelling Clouds to the Marble Boat. Marble Boat: A lakeside pavilion built from marble and wood, symbolizing stability and the enduring nature of the Qing Dynasty. Hall of Benevolence and Longevity: The administrative center of the Summer Palace, where Empress Dowager Cixi handled state affairs. Suzhou Street: A charming area designed to resemble the canals and traditional shops of Suzhou, complete with waterways and bridges. Activities Visitors to the Summer Palace can engage in various activities: Boating: Rent a paddleboat or take a dragon boat tour on Kunming Lake. Walking and Hiking: Stroll along the scenic paths, the Long Corridor, or hike up Longevity Hill for panoramic views. Photography: Capture the stunning architecture, landscapes, and historical sites. Guided Tours: Join a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of the Summer Palace. Dining and Refreshments Several cafes and snack stalls are available within the Summer Palace, offering light refreshments, drinks, and local snacks. For a more substantial meal, visitors can dine at restaurants near the park entrances. Visitor Tips Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit due to the pleasant weather. Summer can be very hot, and winter can be quite cold. Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Summer Palace is vast, and exploring it involves a lot of walking. Stay Hydrated: Bring water, especially during the hotter months. Respect the Site: The Summer Palace is a cultural heritage site. Avoid touching artifacts, stay on marked paths, and do not litter. Plan Your Visit: Due to its size, plan which sections you want to visit in advance to make the most of your time. Nearby Attractions Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan): Located nearby, this former imperial garden offers ruins and beautiful landscapes to explore. Beijing University: One of China’s most prestigious universities, known for its beautiful campus and Weiming Lake. Tsinghua University: Another top university in China, with an expansive and scenic campus. Conclusion The Summer Palace in Beijing is a magnificent site rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you're interested in Chinese history, stunning architecture, or beautiful landscapes, the Summer Palace offers a memorable and enriching experience.

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Some highlights from the five hour CCTV spectacular - the best ever ! From BeiJing, ShangHai, YangShuo and Harbin ...

A beautiful mix of video and stills ... Places featured include: ShangHai PuDong Airport, Magnetic Levitation Train - Maglev, the Bund, Bund sightseeing tunnel panorama, PuDong Financial District, Oriental Pearl Tower, WFC World Financial Center Tower, JinMao Tower, NanJing Road by night, World Financial Center Tower Observatory, night view of skyscrapers, Sky Arena 94th floor, People's Square, Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, LongHua Pagoda, YuYuan Market, Yu garden, Tea House, HongQiao railway station, bullet train.

Weather Summary for Selected Cities in China: Beijing: Spring: Daytime temperatures: 11°C to 24°C, Nighttime temperatures: 2°C to 13°C. Spring in Beijing is generally mild and dry, with occasional sandstorms in March and April. Summer: Daytime temperatures: 29°C to 31°C, Nighttime temperatures: 17°C to 24°C. Beijing summers are hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional heatwaves. Autumn: Daytime temperatures: 18°C to 26°C, Nighttime temperatures: 7°C to 15°C. Autumn is considered the best time to visit Beijing, with clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and colorful foliage. Winter: Daytime temperatures: 2°C to 5°C, Nighttime temperatures: -9°C to -1°C. Beijing winters are cold and dry, with occasional snowfall and freezing temperatures. Shanghai: Spring: Daytime temperatures: 15°C to 24°C, Nighttime temperatures: 8°C to 16°C. Spring in Shanghai is mild and humid, with occasional rain showers and rapid temperature changes. Summer: Daytime temperatures: 26°C to 32°C, Nighttime temperatures: 20°C to 26°C. Shanghai summers are hot and humid, with frequent rainfall and occasional typhoons. Autumn: Daytime temperatures: 23°C to 28°C, Nighttime temperatures: 16°C to 22°C. Autumn is relatively comfortable in Shanghai, with mild temperatures and clear skies. Winter: Daytime temperatures: 8°C to 12°C, Nighttime temperatures: 1°C to 6°C. Shanghai winters are cool and damp, with occasional cold snaps and drizzly weather. Hong Kong: Spring: Daytime temperatures: 23°C to 28°C, Nighttime temperatures: 19°C to 23°C. Spring in Hong Kong is warm and humid, with occasional fog and showers. Summer: Daytime temperatures: 29°C to 32°C, Nighttime temperatures: 25°C to 28°C. Hong Kong summers are hot, humid, and rainy, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional typhoons. Autumn: Daytime temperatures: 27°C to 29°C, Nighttime temperatures: 23°C to 25°C. Autumn is considered the best time to visit Hong Kong, with comfortable temperatures and lower humidity levels. Winter: Daytime temperatures: 18°C to 20°C, Nighttime temperatures: 14°C to 18°C. Hong Kong winters are mild and dry, with occasional cold fronts bringing cooler temperatures. Chengdu: Spring: Daytime temperatures: 16°C to 22°C, Nighttime temperatures: 9°C to 15°C. Spring in Chengdu is mild and humid, with occasional rain showers and blooming flowers. Summer: Daytime temperatures: 26°C to 29°C, Nighttime temperatures: 18°C to 21°C. Chengdu summers are warm and humid, with frequent rainfall and occasional heatwaves. Autumn: Daytime temperatures: 19°C to 24°C, Nighttime temperatures: 12°C to 16°C. Autumn is considered the best time to visit Chengdu, with comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Winter: Daytime temperatures: 9°C to 12°C, Nighttime temperatures: 3°C to 6°C. Chengdu winters are cool and damp, with occasional fog and drizzle. Guilin: Spring: Daytime temperatures: 20°C to 26°C, Nighttime temperatures: 13°C to 18°C. Spring in Guilin is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers and blooming flowers. Summer: Daytime temperatures: 29°C to 33°C, Nighttime temperatures: 21°C to 24°C. Guilin summers are hot and humid, with frequent rainfall and occasional heatwaves. Autumn: Daytime temperatures: 24°C to 28°C, Nighttime temperatures: 17°C to 20°C. Autumn is relatively comfortable in Guilin, with mild temperatures and clear skies. Winter: Daytime temperatures: 11°C to 14°C, Nighttime temperatures: 6°C to 9°C. Guilin winters are cool and damp, with occasional fog and drizzle.