Tiananmen Square
BEIJING DYNASTIES, DUMPLINGS AND DUCK Meet Ian, one our talented Reservations Consultants and read all about one of his favourite cities, China's capital, Beijing.
Ian on the Great Wall of China
I first arrived in Beijing, China on 21 August 2005 – and I still remember it, as if it was yesterday. I did not realise it then, but this would be the start of a love affair with a country that still lasts today. I recall a New Zealand couple once said to me, ‘you will either love a destination or not, and if you love somewhere, it will get under your skin and you will never be able to wash it out.’ This is oh so true with China! The word China is derived from the Chinese Pinyin word Zhongguo, and originated around 1046 BC during the Zhou Dynasty whose capital at the time was Luoyang. Zhongguo means Zhong (Middle) Guo(Land) or as they liked to call, the Middle Kingdom. As the Zhou Dynasty believed Zhongguo was the middle of the Universe surrounded by Barbarians.
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China has seven ancient capitals: Beijing, Xian, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Anyang, Nanjing and Hangzhou. So, a country with such a rich history and culture, really should be a must visit on anyone’s bucket list. Beijing and Xian are featured on many of our group tours, however Kaifeng Luoyang, Anyang, Nanjing and Hangzhou can be booked as private extensions and are well worth the visit.
my favourite city in China, Beijing. I have been lucky to travel to China over 10 times since 2005 and visit over 20 cities and locations within China. But Beijing holds a special place in my heart, as it has always been a city I can, and have returned to time and time again. However, everywhere I have visited in China has left a mark on my heart and soul.
I arrived into Beijing, to a rather old airport, lacking in air-conditioning and one that felt more like a giant tin shed, than the modern, high-tech Beijing Capital Airport of today. I was met outside customs by my transfer driver, who spoke very little English, but he did make me laugh. As we drove to my hotel the streets were dark and silent due to the late hour except for the sounds of the Russian Communist music my driver was playing. He said to me the streets might be quiet now, but wait until tomorrow morning, as a bobble head statue of Chairman Mao bounced up and down on the car’s dashboard. After being dropped off at the Rainbow Hotel Beijing, located a short walk from the South Gate to the Temple of Heaven, I woke the following morning to the view from my window of the early morning hustle and bustle of what would become
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