Why?
When it comes to my dream vacation, it would undoubtedly be Beijing, China. As the national capital in China, Beijing has rapidly developed into a political, cultural and educational center. Its imperial past of 2500 years' history is mixed with nowadays' modernity. Moreover, Beijing is specially enriched by its magnificent historic interests, delicate imperial cuisine, unique local culture, and post 2008 olympic attractions. Equipped with modern transportations such as airplanes, expressway, railway, and subways, Beijing attracts mass tourists every year. In 2011, it attracted 57.6 million foreign tourists from all over the world.
Being a Chinese, traveling in Beijing one day has been embedded in my mind since I was young. Everything I learn and hear about Beijing is only from history class, news and TV series. Exploring into its hundred years' history and mysterious historic interests along with trying its fine cuisine is always my dream. Therefore, Beijing is my dream vacation which appeals to me the most.
When, Who and How?
Since I will be graduating in June in 2014. It would be a great opportunity for me to travel in Beijing before I fully devote myself into my career. During this trip my friend Jessica will my accompany. She is from Hongkong and both of us took Asian history at school. We have never been to Beijing but have great interest in going there. Accompanied with a friend would enlighten the trip in so many ways. Therefore, we decide a 5-day-trip starting from July 8, to July 13, 2014 after our convocation in June. Since I can speak Mandarin, there won't be language problem. We will take AirCanada leaving from Toronto Pearson International Airport on July 7, 2014 and arrive in Beijing Capital Airport on July 8, 2014 (local time). I have not booked the return flight because I will go back to my home in Guangdong Province to see my parents. Therefore, Jessica and I will separate after the trip. Though exploring Beijing is my plan, the most important reason for the trip is to enhance my friendship with Jessica. We become friends not for long, and haven't spent a lot of time together;however, we are going to graduate soon and it will be hard for us to see each other regularly because we will be working in different cities. Hopefully, I can know her better through this trip and create some treasurable memory with her.
There's no better way to experience the old Beijing except by living in a traditional Beijing courtyard hotel. The hotel we will be staying is Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel. This old China style hotel is located in a hutong which is an old Beijing alley.It is an old fashioned courtyard but transformed into a hotel. It is equipped with old Chinese furniture and decorated beautifully with red lanterns. Living there can give us the authentic experience about how people live in the past. I will be very excited to sleep in such a traditional bed and experience chinese culture personally. Most importantly, Jessica and I like watching Chinese history TV shows. Therefore, this hotel will definitely be our dream hotel.
We can chat all night about our favourite TV shows and talk about how people in the past dress, talk, walk, etc. I expect to know Jessica better through sharing thoughts about Chinese people and culture.
Specially, this hotel is located perfectly for us to travel. It is almost located in the centre of all the attractions that we want to go. Meanwhile it's fairly close to subways , restaurants and shopping district in Beijing. Therefore, living here is fairly convient. Our hotel is in the circle on the map on the left, the destinations pointed by an arrow will be places we plan to go.
At 2:10p.m. on July 9, 2014, we will be arriving in Beijing Capital Airport. After picking up our luggage, we will take the Airport Express to Dongzhimen Station and then take a taxi to the hotel and check in. We would be very tired after a long flight. Therefore, we will call it a night and have a good rest for next day's exploration.
Travelling doesn't mean traveling alone. Having a friend to share with all the enjoyment is a beauty of the entire travel. To harvest a friendship is of significance to me.
*cost from airport to the hotel: RMB 35
hotel cost per day: RMB 71
Today we will get up at 7:30 a.m.. After having breakfast in the hotel, we will head to the subway station. We will take line one train directly to Tian An Men Square. Since Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, and Heaven Temple are close to each other, we will visit those places on foot. All of them are the icons of Beijing . From here, Jessica and I will wander into the mysterious and historical places in China.
Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City are the sceneries that always showed in movies and TV shows. The Forbidden City is emperors' home and also a political center where they held meetings everyday. Walking through the palace will give me the imagination about the affluent life the emperors they had.
After visiting Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City, we will go across Chang'an Revenue and arrive in the Heaven Temple. This is the place where emperors held annual ceremonies to pray for harvest and rain. Standing in front of this magnificent building, we will be impressed by its grandness.
After a day's visit to three must-go places, hopefully Jessica and I have a good time and also have a general understanding about places where emperors live. We will talk about dynasties and discuss about the well known emperors in Chinese history. Through discussion, hopefully we are getting closer.
History is years' accumulation. It doesn't happen in one day. So is travel and friendship. The more I discover, the more I learn about the history and culture. Also friendship is built on continuous ideas exchange and constant communication. The more I talk with Jessica, the more I get to know her.
We will go back to our hotel at 4:30 p.m.. After a long walk, we will give ourselves a break. We will go the Ghost Street where we can try every Beijing cuisine and all kinds of snacks. If I haven't tried local snacks, I feel like not having been to that place for real. Food is one part of China's culture. At night, along this boulevard, all sorts of food are served, such as BBQ, seafood, snacks and other curiosities.
After trying local cuisine, we will walk back to our hotel. Along the way, we can enjoy the red lanterns overhead. Though it will be crowed on the street, everyone jokes, laugh and have a great time getting together. Jessica and I can talk about our childhood, school life, and expectation about the future during the walk. Hopefully, we get to know how each other was grown up in different places.
After a tiring day walking the Great Wall, we will have a rest early and get ready for next day's shopping. :)
Food is an art and also culture. Chinese businessmen talk about business and negotiate contracts around the table. Meanwhile, it is also a magic place to bond with a friend. Friendship could also be cultivated by enjoying a wonderful meal with Jessica.
*Cost of the Great Wall: RMB 45
After three days' exploration into Beijing historic interests, today we will do some shopping in the famous fashion street---Wang Fu Jing Street where clusters with various shops ranging from Chinese souvenir to world wide high-end fashion stores. In the morning, we take subway line one to get here. At noon, we will try the well known Peking Roast Duck in Quan Ju De, which earns the most reputation in China. Meanwhile, we will try another national famous Tianjin snack Gou Bu Li across the street.
Shopping is our hobby in common. We will buy some souvenir for our friends and relatives. Shopping does not mean that I have to buy anything or a lot of things. It is a process of bonding with Jessica. Walking stores by stores, enjoying snacks along the way, and sharing interests with Jessica will be the best moment of this trip.
*Peking duck--RMB 170/person
Today's schedule will be tight because we will be visiting many places. After previous days' tour to historical sites, today we will see a modern Beijing.Since 2008 Beijing Olympics, Water Cube and Nest Stadium have become remarkable icons of Beijing as well. Throughout this trip, we will see how Beijing transforms and develops from an old city with hundreds of years' civilization into a modern city gradually.
At night, the lights of the two buildings are gorgeous. Walking along the river while watching the ever changing lights really relax one day's fast paced travel. Now we will slow down and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful moment at night. We will talk about the differences between Hongkong and Beijing. Therefore, I can learn about the night life in Hongkong as well.
Sometimes I should not rush in a trip. Walking too fast will prevent me from seeing a lot of beautiful sceneries along the way or anything fun happens around me. To slow down is to give me a break. Stop and have a look around the city.People are too busy in the daytime. It will be perfect to slow down to enjoy the peaceful moment at night.
*Nest Stadium--RMB 50
*Summer Palace--RMB 20
*Lama--RMB 25
*Water cube--RMB 30
*Guo Zi Jian--RMB 10
Besides world famous historic interests, two most well known universities in China are worth visiting. They are every Chinese students' dream schools,Tsinghua University and Peking University. They are my dream school as well. Therefore, on the last day, we will leave at 8:30 and take line two train, then transfer to No.375 bus to Tsinghua University. Peking University is just 10 minutes walk from Tsinghua University.
Both universities educated many well known leaders, presidents, professionals and intellectuals in China. Besides, in terms of campus, both schools retain the old Chinese gardens and landscaping; Tsinghua University, additionally, has many western style buildings because of the American influence in the past.
Budget
Since this is my graduation trip, my parents are willing to treat this trip as a gift to me. They will pay the air ticket, and I will pay other expenses from the deposit I save for the trip. The daily expenses for the trip will mainly be the following:
The exchange rate of Canadian dollar to Chinese RMB will probably be 1: 6.07. Total budget will be estimated around CAD$1,155 including airfare of $953 and total daily expenses of $202. Therefore, using the Canadian dollar to travel in Beijing will be advantageous because the price level in China is not as high as that in Canada. Thereafter, we can afford to buy many souvenir back home to our friends and relatives.
After the trip...
After this trip, I will enjoy exploring Beijing. And most importantly Jessica and I became very good friends.
Though being a mass tourist with a group of people is convenient and time saving, exploring with a friend gives me a total different experience. As an explorer, holding a map on hand and planning with a friend all along the trip is like an adventure. We are free to stop and free to try different kinds of activities without constraints. Moreover, sharing enjoyment with a friend is meaningful to me. Friendship along the trip will enlighten the travel experience and make the trip special and memorable. Therefore, accompanied by Jessica, I will really bond with her, and get to know her better. We will create valuable memories together and treasure it in our hearts. We will become close friends and never forget each other though we will be in different cities fighting for our dreams.
After four-year-university life, before I start my career, this trip will be a great opportunity for me to relax, think and plan. This won't be the end of my trip. This is just the beginning. I will create as many chances as I can to travel in the future. Maybe I will be so tired and busy when pursuing my career and forget what life is. Hopefully, I will recall this memorable trip and refresh myself.
Exposing to the unknowns will be unsafe and challenging. However, in order to experience something special, I need to get out of my comfort zone. The more I travel, the more I experience. The more people I meet, the more friends I will make. I long for finding more friendship, discover otherness, and broaden my horizon through continuous travel in the future.
Resources
Google Image
Wikipedia--Beijing
Travel Advisor Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel
Exchange Rate
Air Canada
Entrance Fee for places
Quan Ju De
Gou Bu Li
Gateways to Discovery
Youtube--an idiot abroad
Tsinghua University
Peking University
Nest Stadium
Water Cube
We can chat all night about our favourite TV shows and talk about how people in the past dress, talk, walk, etc. I expect to know Jessica better through sharing thoughts about Chinese people and culture.
At 2:10p.m. on July 9, 2014, we will be arriving in Beijing Capital Airport. After picking up our luggage, we will take the Airport Express to Dongzhimen Station and then take a taxi to the hotel and check in. We would be very tired after a long flight. Therefore, we will call it a night and have a good rest for next day's exploration.
Travelling doesn't mean traveling alone. Having a friend to share with all the enjoyment is a beauty of the entire travel. To harvest a friendship is of significance to me.
*cost from airport to the hotel: RMB 35
hotel cost per day: RMB 71
Bring my camera and Exploration Begins...
Day 1--Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square, Heaven Temple
Today we will get up at 7:30 a.m.. After having breakfast in the hotel, we will head to the subway station. We will take line one train directly to Tian An Men Square. Since Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, and Heaven Temple are close to each other, we will visit those places on foot. All of them are the icons of Beijing . From here, Jessica and I will wander into the mysterious and historical places in China. Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City are the sceneries that always showed in movies and TV shows. The Forbidden City is emperors' home and also a political center where they held meetings everyday. Walking through the palace will give me the imagination about the affluent life the emperors they had.After visiting Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City, we will go across Chang'an Revenue and arrive in the Heaven Temple. This is the place where emperors held annual ceremonies to pray for harvest and rain. Standing in front of this magnificent building, we will be impressed by its grandness.
After a day's visit to three must-go places, hopefully Jessica and I have a good time and also have a general understanding about places where emperors live. We will talk about dynasties and discuss about the well known emperors in Chinese history. Through discussion, hopefully we are getting closer.
History is years' accumulation. It doesn't happen in one day. So is travel and friendship. The more I discover, the more I learn about the history and culture. Also friendship is built on continuous ideas exchange and constant communication. The more I talk with Jessica, the more I get to know her.
*Forbidden City: RMB 60
*Heaven Temple: RMB 15
Day 2--The Great Wall, Ghost Street
Today we will get up at 8:30 a.m. and leave for subway station. We will take line two train to Ji Shui Tan Station, then transfer to No. 919 bus to the Great Wall. There's a well known saying in China, "One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero". This time, I will walk through the Great Wall and become a hero. Standing on the Great Wall, I can see the grand view from here. Everything underneath seems so small and I will be shocked by its spectacle and wonder how people built 21,196km wall without advanced technologies at that time.
After trying local cuisine, we will walk back to our hotel. Along the way, we can enjoy the red lanterns overhead. Though it will be crowed on the street, everyone jokes, laugh and have a great time getting together. Jessica and I can talk about our childhood, school life, and expectation about the future during the walk. Hopefully, we get to know how each other was grown up in different places.
After a tiring day walking the Great Wall, we will have a rest early and get ready for next day's shopping. :)
Food is an art and also culture. Chinese businessmen talk about business and negotiate contracts around the table. Meanwhile, it is also a magic place to bond with a friend. Friendship could also be cultivated by enjoying a wonderful meal with Jessica.
*Cost of the Great Wall: RMB 45
Day 3--Wang Fu Jing St.
After three days' exploration into Beijing historic interests, today we will do some shopping in the famous fashion street---Wang Fu Jing Street where clusters with various shops ranging from Chinese souvenir to world wide high-end fashion stores. In the morning, we take subway line one to get here. At noon, we will try the well known Peking Roast Duck in Quan Ju De, which earns the most reputation in China. Meanwhile, we will try another national famous Tianjin snack Gou Bu Li across the street. Shopping is our hobby in common. We will buy some souvenir for our friends and relatives. Shopping does not mean that I have to buy anything or a lot of things. It is a process of bonding with Jessica. Walking stores by stores, enjoying snacks along the way, and sharing interests with Jessica will be the best moment of this trip.
*Peking duck--RMB 170/person
Gou Bu Li--RMB 1.50/each
Day 4--Summer Palace, Water Cube, Nest Stadium, Lama Temple, Guo Zi Jian St.
Today's schedule will be tight because we will be visiting many places. After previous days' tour to historical sites, today we will see a modern Beijing.Since 2008 Beijing Olympics, Water Cube and Nest Stadium have become remarkable icons of Beijing as well. Throughout this trip, we will see how Beijing transforms and develops from an old city with hundreds of years' civilization into a modern city gradually.At night, the lights of the two buildings are gorgeous. Walking along the river while watching the ever changing lights really relax one day's fast paced travel. Now we will slow down and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful moment at night. We will talk about the differences between Hongkong and Beijing. Therefore, I can learn about the night life in Hongkong as well.
Sometimes I should not rush in a trip. Walking too fast will prevent me from seeing a lot of beautiful sceneries along the way or anything fun happens around me. To slow down is to give me a break. Stop and have a look around the city.People are too busy in the daytime. It will be perfect to slow down to enjoy the peaceful moment at night.
*Nest Stadium--RMB 50
*Summer Palace--RMB 20
*Lama--RMB 25
*Water cube--RMB 30
*Guo Zi Jian--RMB 10
Day 5--Peking University and Tsinghua University
Besides world famous historic interests, two most well known universities in China are worth visiting. They are every Chinese students' dream schools,Tsinghua University and Peking University. They are my dream school as well. Therefore, on the last day, we will leave at 8:30 and take line two train, then transfer to No.375 bus to Tsinghua University. Peking University is just 10 minutes walk from Tsinghua University. Both universities educated many well known leaders, presidents, professionals and intellectuals in China. Besides, in terms of campus, both schools retain the old Chinese gardens and landscaping; Tsinghua University, additionally, has many western style buildings because of the American influence in the past.
Hopefully, I will not only be impressed by the beauty of the campus, but also by the academic atmosphere. Though I will graduate soon, but learning is a life long process. I will never stop learning and pursuing knowledge. This is same as travel. Travelling is also a life long learning process. To learn about all kinds of culture, people, geography, food and so on will take a long time. The more I travel, the more I learn. Therefore, I will never stop learning and traveling. I will try to discover the sunshine, to discover the art of architectures, to discover the curious food, and more importantly, to be a happy person.
At night, Jessica and I will spend the rest of the day together. I hope we get to know each other well and become very close friends because this is the main purpose of the trip. We share our future plan and hope for next reunion or next trip together. We pack things up and chat all night until we fall asleep.
Since this is my graduation trip, my parents are willing to treat this trip as a gift to me. They will pay the air ticket, and I will pay other expenses from the deposit I save for the trip. The daily expenses for the trip will mainly be the following:
The exchange rate of Canadian dollar to Chinese RMB will probably be 1: 6.07. Total budget will be estimated around CAD$1,155 including airfare of $953 and total daily expenses of $202. Therefore, using the Canadian dollar to travel in Beijing will be advantageous because the price level in China is not as high as that in Canada. Thereafter, we can afford to buy many souvenir back home to our friends and relatives.
After the trip...
After this trip, I will enjoy exploring Beijing. And most importantly Jessica and I became very good friends.
Though being a mass tourist with a group of people is convenient and time saving, exploring with a friend gives me a total different experience. As an explorer, holding a map on hand and planning with a friend all along the trip is like an adventure. We are free to stop and free to try different kinds of activities without constraints. Moreover, sharing enjoyment with a friend is meaningful to me. Friendship along the trip will enlighten the travel experience and make the trip special and memorable. Therefore, accompanied by Jessica, I will really bond with her, and get to know her better. We will create valuable memories together and treasure it in our hearts. We will become close friends and never forget each other though we will be in different cities fighting for our dreams.
After four-year-university life, before I start my career, this trip will be a great opportunity for me to relax, think and plan. This won't be the end of my trip. This is just the beginning. I will create as many chances as I can to travel in the future. Maybe I will be so tired and busy when pursuing my career and forget what life is. Hopefully, I will recall this memorable trip and refresh myself.
Exposing to the unknowns will be unsafe and challenging. However, in order to experience something special, I need to get out of my comfort zone. The more I travel, the more I experience. The more people I meet, the more friends I will make. I long for finding more friendship, discover otherness, and broaden my horizon through continuous travel in the future.
Resources
Google Image
Wikipedia--Beijing
Travel Advisor Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel
Exchange Rate
Air Canada
Entrance Fee for places
Quan Ju De
Gou Bu Li
Gateways to Discovery
Youtube--an idiot abroad
Tsinghua University
Peking University
Nest Stadium
Water Cube
Your dream vacation to Beijing sounds like a fantastic adventure! Thanks for taking us along through your vivid descriptions.
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