Four Days In Beijing

I arrive with two friends by bullet train from Shanghai for four wonderful days in Beijing. We are met at the train station by our tour guide, Xiaowei.

Temple Of Heaven

Our first stop is the Temple of Heaven. This beautiful complex of religious buildings was visited by Emperors of both the Ming and Qing Dynasties. We receive an in depth history lesson and take many fantastic pictures before heading to our hotel.

The Regent Hotel, Beijing

An executive room at The Regent Beijing does not disappoint. I recommend an upgrade to club level, which includes food and drinks. It’s so nice to be able to just relax here after a busy day. The food in the club level lounge is both beautiful and delicious!

On day two, we are met by Xiaowei at the hotel after breakfast. Our first stop is the Summer Palace. This stunning site is an Imperial Garden during the Qing Dynasty. It dates back 1750 and the area consists of lakes, gardens, and palaces. The Summer Palace is an amazing site to see while visiting Beijing.

Democracy Movement

The next stop is Tiananmen Square which is one of the world’s largest city squares! It is also the site of the 1989 protests known as the Democracy Movement. Hundreds, maybe even over a thousand protesters are killed and even more suffer injuries. The exact numbers remain unknown.

Forbidden City

Across the street from the Square is the Forbidden City, which is also referred to as “The Palace Museum” or “Imperial Palace” and it is more than 500 years old. The stunning architecture is over the top. Xiaowei gives us a history lesson that is more informative than any class that I have ever taken. The Forbidden City should be on everyone’s bucket list. Because of it’s size you need to spend at least half a day to take all of this place in. There are numerous shops, and I bought a few souvenirs during the day. TIP: Your passport is required to enter!

For the third day of our trip to Beijing, we finally make it to the “Mother” of all amazing things to see… the Great Wall!!! Xiaowei takes us to a place that has almost no tourists! After seeing so many pictures of people standing shoulder to shoulder on the wall, Xiaowei’s knowledge is invaluable. Taking a chair lift is the only way to get to the top.

The Great Wall

We are 3 of about 10 people on the wall at this location! Xiaowei is an amazing photographer and takes many fantastic pictures of us on the Great Wall. He instructs us on how to take incredible pictures, some of which I have framed and are currently displayed in our home. If you only take one piece of advice from me… book a tour with Xiaowei at http://www.greatwallmylove.com In the meantime, you can follow him on Instagram @greatwallmylove and see his beautiful pictures for yourself.

Before heading back to the hotel, we stop at a Hutong for a pedicab tour. A Hutong is a neighborhood consisting of alleyways lined by courtyard homes.

On this evening, we dine at one of the top rated restaurants in Beijing, Black Sesame. The restaurant is located in a Hutong and can be quite tricky to find. Because of this, next time I dine here, I will arrange for car service to and from the restaurant. Once inside, it’s gorgeous! for a flat fee, wine and dinner are included. This dining experience includes a fixed ten course menu which is honestly the best meal I have ever had in my life. The number of people at each evenings serving is limited and therefore, reservations are a must. All of the patrons sit around a long table and the meal is served family style. It’s a truly wonderful experience.

In closing, when planning your trip to Beijing keep the following things in mind. Try to avoid visiting on Chinese Holidays. The crowds at each site is overwhelming. On my next trip, I will pay closer attention to the Chinese calendar. Additionally, you will want to wear a hat and lots of sunscreen.

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