Vacation planning, in and of itself, can be stressful – and that’s if there are no chinks in the proverbial armor. For folks who are in the throes of planning an overseas vacation, things can get pretty sticky, indeed, when you consider the many details that need to be worked through. First and foremost on the list of things to do is deciding upon a vacation destination. If you’ve never been to the exciting city of Beijing, consider making it this year’s travel goal – a journey, tinged with the mystique of the Orient, that’s sure to delight one and all. In order to make the process of planning such a trip a bit less painful, here are some of the city’s highlights, to assist you in the development of your itinerary.
The Bell and Drum Towers of the Dongcheng District – which were once used to announce the time of day to local residents – have been preserved as a wonderful testament to the creativity and ingenuity of mankind. These intriguing towers once worked together, using a series of drum beats and ringing bells, to inform people that it was time to go to sleep, wake up or announce other critical points of the day. Depending upon the hour, there was a particular series of drum and bell beats – or sometimes, such as in the middle of the night, one would be beaten without the accompaniment of the other. While the Drum Tower originally boasted 25 drums, only the largest of them remains. The Bell Tower – host to China’s heaviest bell – contains the partner to the last remaining drum, in the form of a copper bell and wooden ringer. These dual timepieces first made their appearance during the Ming Dynasty and continued to ring until 1924, at which time their functionality came to an end. Having been restored in the 1980s, they are now open for public viewing.
The Forbidden City – now called the Palace Museum – is found in the very center of Beijing. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, these 9,999 structures served as the Imperial Palace, surrounded by a moat which is nearly 20 feet in depth and a wall, measuring close to 33 feet in height. Two gates embellish the wall on opposing sides, one of which is the Tiananmen Gate; the other, the Gate of Divine Might. This palatial complex is divided into two sections: the Outer Court – used by the Emperor for political purposes, and the Inner Court – home of the Emperor and his Royal Family. After the passing of five centuries and 24 emperors, the last of its leaders was removed from power in 1924 and the complex has, since, become a popular tourist attraction. The surrounding wall poses an interesting challenge. Due to its angularity, it renders itself virtually impossible to scale. Rice served as one of the primary ingredients in its construction – the bricks having been made from lime and gelatinous rice, and the cement of egg whites and the same sticky rice mixture, used in combination to give the wall great strength and durability. Tourists will be in awe of the breathtaking architecture, as well as the inner delights of the Palace Museum.
Boasting its distinction as the world’s largest imperial garden, the Summer Palace has graced the area since its inception in 1750. After the destruction of the larger portion of its buildings by invading troops in 1860, the site was renovated in 1888 by the Empress of the time. Shortly afterward, this breathtaking garden (formerly called the Garden of Clear Ripples) was designated as a park and renamed Summer Palace. Well over 70 acres in area, this site is comprised of three sectors: administrative, residential and scenic. In addition to a multitude of buildings - numbering in excess of 3,000 – designs have been employed to include plant life, rocks, ponds, cobblestone paths and a variety of pavilions. The primary areas of the Summer Palace consist of Kumming Lake – this 3 ½ thousand year old man-made lake is utilized for ice-skating during the winter months, and boating during the warmer months of the year; Longevity Hill – sectioned into two areas, comprised of Front Hill and Rear Hill; and the Long Corridor – a walkway, measuring nearly 800 yards, which is embellished with Chinese artwork on the beam structures. Two gateways mark the entrance to the park – The North Palace Gate and the East Palace Gate.
The Ming Tombs, marking the final resting place of 13 Ming Dynasty rulers, are a “must see” attraction while in the Beijing area. The entrance to the tombs – called Spirit Way – is lined with two dozen animal statues (two of each kind), each carved from a single stone. Further on, you’ll come upon an additional dozen stone sculptures – of the human variety. This ancient boulevard was the route that was taken to inter the antediluvian emperors. Of the 13 tombs which are housed there, only two are now open to the general public – that of Emperors Changling and Dingling, both of the Ming Dynasty. A variety of construction materials were used in the design of the tombs, including items such as camphor wood, gold, stone and marble. Changling’s tomb is the central figure of the Ming Tomb area, surrounded by a ring of tombs representing the other dozen emperors. Designed with both above-ground and underground chambers, all of the mausoleums have both similar characteristics and striking differences. In addition to the coffins of these deceased rulers, there are also magnificent displays of items which belonged to the royal inhabitants. Due to the extensive walking and oppressive atmosphere of the sub-chambers, tourists with heart ailments are cautioned to consider remaining above ground.
The Temple of Heaven – built in 1420 A.D. – originally served as a place of sacrificial offerings to Heaven. The temple building’s nearly conical structure, with a square enclosure at the base, is surrounded by two walls which divide the inner and outer portions. The inner wall houses the main buildings of the site, including The Circular Mound Altar – composed of three white marble terraces; the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest – a large round-roofed palace with layered eaves; and The Imperial Vault of Heaven – a gold-capped blue structure made from brick and timber, surrounded by marble railings. Other points of interest are the Three Echo Stones – standing just outside of the Imperial Vault of Heaven, these stones will resonate sound, either singularly or as multiple reverberations, depending upon which stone you’re standing on when you speak; and The Echo Wall – nearly 633 feet in diameter, this surrounds The Imperial Vault of Heaven, and offers the interesting feature of being able to clearly interpret a whispered voice of someone standing at the east side, while you’re standing on the west side. Another attraction of this area is the Nine-Dragon Cypress – a 500-year-old cypress tree, whose branches bear a resemblance to the same number of intertwined dragons.
Tiananmen Square, located in central Beijing, is home to Tiananmen Tower – only the royal family and members of the aristocracy were permitted access to this structure from 1368 until 1911; Mao Zedong Memorial Hall – housing the remains of Chairman Mao Zedong within a crystal coffin; Monument to the People’s Heroes – Eight monolithic sculptures, highlighting the evolution of China’s history; and Great Hall of the People – the site of various political and diplomatic events. The Square also houses the China National Museum – divided between the Chinese Revolutionary Museum and the Chinese History Museum, this tourist spot is home to a variety of items, such as pictures, relics, books and much more. This popular tourist attraction is also the site of a number of special activities and events, not the least of which is the sight of the Honor Guard raising the flag each morning. During holiday celebrations, Tiananmen Square is filled to overflowing with a variety of flowers, and – on a more common day – the general public uses the area for casual strolls and peaceful get-aways from their hectic schedules. Vacationers should note that this is a tourist hot spot, and crowding can cause things to become problematic throughout the day.
If you’re in need of a day away from the crowds, pay a visit to Jingshan Park. This beautifully serene recreational area was built in 1179, at the pinnacle of the city. Located within the park’s perimeter is Jingshan Hill. Having been renamed three times since it was given its original moniker of Long Live Hill in 1420, the summit of Jingshan Hill offers visitors a panoramic view of the city of Beijing. Nearly a half dozen pavilions have made their home on this hill – one of which was destroyed by invaders in 1900, and all of which contain copper statues of Buddha, representing the five varieties of taste: sweet, salty, spicy, bitter and acidic. Shouhuang Palace graces the base of Jingshan Hill on the northern side. The Palace – also known as the Hall of Imperial Longevity – has been set aside to honor the ancestors of the Imperial Family. Other such structures, which are also located at various points around the base of the hill are Guande and Yongsi Palaces. Jingshan Park, known for its breathtaking displays of peonies, is often the backdrop for an impressive variety of shows and events.
To be sure, comfortable walking shoes and cameras are recommended tools for each of these sites. These and many more wondrous attractions are offered to those who make Beijing their vacation spot of choice. For further information, contact your local travel agent.
