Planning for an Adventure in Beijing, China - Part 1

     Now that I've chronicled my Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, adventures, I'll make entries for my Baguio, Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand, trips earlier this year, but not extensively.  I will be focusing heavily on planning my Beijing, China, trip for November, like planning where to stay, where to go, how to get there, where to dine and shop, and visa application, among others.

     For starters, I bought a Fodor's Beijing 2009 guide which I saw at National Bookstore on sale for Php 200.00 (around USD 5.00); original price was Php 799.00 (around USD 19.00).  I've read most of the book and I still crave for information.  I think, though, that the book would have its purpose when I get around Beijing as it contains a Mandarin translation of places, sites, useful phrases, tips and so on.

 
     I've also started reading the Beijing forum at PinoyExchange, and honestly, I've found loads of information suited for the Filipino traveler there.  Very informative indeed, with beautiful pictures!

     For now, I'm determined to visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, preferably in Mutianyu, and the Olympic Village.  I think I might need to cajole my companions to go to Jingshan Hill, the Summer Palace and the Yuanmingyuan, the Bell and Drum Towers and its neighboring hutong, and a day trip to Tianjin City.  Apparently, there's a European concessionaire area in Tianjin.  I might not be able to go to Europe; unlike my friends, I'm not rich.  So I'd be more than happy to settle for Tianjin, at least for now.

 This makes me all the more excited to go to Tianjin.

TIANJIN EYE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizmore/2940819141/

How can I not resist going to Tianjin?

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/chineseemma319/4997945660/in/pool-677593@N20/

Great Wall in Mutianyu

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franck-chilli/3882326984/

Bird's Nest

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franck-chilli/3882326984/

 The Grand National Theater

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alianto/2954379015/

Yuanmingyuan

http://flic.kr/p/5VnbR7

Summer Palace

http://flic.kr/p/4xUWgg

     I wish I could take great photos such as these ones.  The photos above are all from Flickr, and really, these make me want to go Beijing and Tianjin all the more.