|
World > Asia > China> Beijing City Information
|
Excursion of Beijing
|
 |
|
Hutong tours:
|
The hutong are fast-disappearing ancient areas of housing where
small single-storey dwellings arranged around courtyards form a
maze of narrow streets. The ideal way to see the hutong is by
rickshaw or on foot. Taking along an English-speaking guide will
ensure an opportunity to talk to the locals and maybe even see
their homes. The Beijing Tourism Administration (tel: (10) 6515
8252; website: www.btta.gov.cn) lists some recommended tour
companies. Most hotels can arrange rickshaw tours lasting 1 to 2
hours with an English-speaking guide. The Ritz-Carlton Beijing,
Financial Street (see Hotels) arranges cycling tours of local
hutong in the west of the city
|
|
Great Wall and Ming Tombs: |
The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extends for
thousands of miles across China, the nearest section to Beijing
being at Badaling. The wall stretches between watchtowers and is
wide enough in some places for five horsemen. Badaling Great
Wall (tel: (10) 6912 2222) is open daily (0700-1730) and there
is an admission charge. A less busy option is to visit the wall
at Mutianyu, about 2 hours' drive from Beijing. Here, chairlifts
and cable cars provide spectacular panoramas of the wall and
mountain scenery (0730-1800). The tombs are all open daily
(times vary for each tomb but are generally 0800-1730) and
admission is charged. Thirteen of the Ming emperors were buried
around the valley but only one of the actual underground burial
chambers, at the Ding Ling tomb (tel: (10) 6076 1424), is open
to the public. It is best to go by taxi or on a coach tour
arranged through the Beijing Tourism Administration or one of
the major hotels.
|
|
Fragrant Hills: |
Located more than 28km (18 miles) to the northwest of Beijing and
best reached by taxi, the Fragrant Hills (tel: (10) 6259 1155)
are thickly wooded with pine trees and were popular with the
emperors as a hunting ground. Pagodas, temples and pavilions can
be found dotted around the park, which is open daily 0700-1800.
The summit of the highest peak can be reached by a chair lift
(admission charge).
|
|
|
|
|
|
