Beijing (China)

Both the TransManchurian and TransMongolian routes start or finish in Beijing, so you’ll probably be spending some time here.

As the capital roars into the 21^st century the economy is booming and Beijing is aiming to show the city off to the world by hosting the 2008 Olympics.

What to see

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

Tiananmen is the best place to start a tour in Beijing. In the centre is Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. To the east is the National Museum of Chinese History, which also houses the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. To the north of the square is the Imperial Palace, better known as the Forbidden City, entered through Tiananmen Gate. This enclosure comprising over 178 acres and 1000 buildings takes a least a day to explore to get even a bare impression.

The Great Wall

China’s most famous attraction makes an ideal day trip from Beijing. Most tourists visit the Wall at Badaling but it’s less crowded at Mutianyu. It is recommended to go with a tour group. The travel agency at the Qiao Yuan hotel (139 0112 3938) runs trip to another section of the wall: Simatai.

Tian Tan (The Temple of Heaven)

This is the site from which China’s emperors conducted the country’s most important religious rituals, upon which depended the well-being of the population. The most famous building of the ocmplex is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, to the north, built entirely without the use of glue or nails.

Summer Palace

The palace covers an area about for times the size of the Forbidden City.

Where to stay

Budget accommodation

• Jing Hua Hostel (6722 2211) on Nansanhuan Xi Lu is a sure bet. Beds cost Y25 in a 20-bed dorm, Y35 in a four-bed and Y50 in a triple. There are also doubles for Y150. There is a nice restaurant, a pub, a travel agency, internet access, etc.

• Qiao Yuan Hotel (6303 8861) near Yongdingmen railway station, has dorm beds for Y25 and doubles for Y140-290. There’s a good travel agency here that offers day trips to the Great Wall.

Mid-range and up-market hotels

• Bei Wei Hotel (6301 2266) at 13 Xingling Lu, has singles/doubles for Y150/188.

• Taiwan Hotel (6513 6688) at 5 Jinyn Hustong Wanguijing Dajiem has rooms from US$70-180.

• Minzhu Hotel (6601 4466) on Fuxingmen Dajie charges US$80 for a double.

• Palace Hotel (6512 8899 – tph@peninsula.com) has doubles from US$290 but you might get a 50% discount.

Where to eat

• Peking Duck is the local speciality and there are numerous restaurants to give it a try: Qianmen Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant at 32 Qianmen Dajie and Bian Yi Fang Restaurant on Chong-wenmenwei Dajie near the railway station.

• For spicy-food, head for the Sichuan Restaurant in Xirongxian Alley.

• You’ll find numerous places to eat in the Chaoyang District and around Sanlitun. Sanlitun in lined with café bars and always busy.

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