Comparison Test: Eastern and Central Asia

China Must visit: Great Wall Forbidden City The Bund A traditional town Transport: Reasonable, if packed, subway systems in Shanghai and Beijing Do NOT take 3rd class trains.  Book a few days ahead for a soft seat train Buses are plentiful between towns and a bit easier than trains for an equivalent price City buses [...]

Beijing Day 8

It was raining – a steady drizzle, not quite enough for a raincoat, but too much to go without, and enough to make wearing glasses annoying.  I headed out to the Summer Palace.  Despite the rain it was packed.   I returned to my hostel, did not go to the zoo, and did not get [...]

Beijing Day 7

Sunday – market day.  I went to the Panjiayuan Market.  It’s now open every day, so there’s no need to get up early to avoid the crowds.  Even at 10am it was still easy to navigate.  There are books, jade, brass, jewellery, paintings, calligraphy, and ‘cultural revolution’ items – mostly posters, armbands and clothes. I’ve [...]

Beijing Day 6 – The Great Wall

If you go to the Great Wall take a bus tour.  That’s all I’ll say about that. I went to Jingshanling.  It’s isn’t so busy – I arrive about midday and there were a few tour groups, but nothing too bad.  The gondola isn’t completely necessary – there’s a well graded path if you keep [...]

Beijing Day 5

I arrived early at Mao’s mausoleum (8.45) but the queue already had a million people in it, so I went to the Capital Museum.  The tickets are free but you have to queue up, unless you reserve one here.  It’s quite a modern museum, with several floors.  When I went the first level had an [...]

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