It’s topic of the month as the Olympic fortnight hots up – but is Beijing, the capital of China, really such a big deal to make an effort to visit as part of an alternative holiday or golden gap year? The answer is a resounding yes! For foodies, culture vultures, owls that love nightlife and even outdoor lovers, Beijing is exciting, hectic, and THE destination to visit before it changes oh-too-rapidly as China becomes the superpower of the 21st century. But there are two sides to Beijing, the rapidly growing tourist side (did we mention the Olympics?) and the local cultural side - in this travel guide we focus on the latter.
The hutongs are narrow alleys formed by lines of traditional residencies. China is unfortunately famous for not preserving its cultural history and many old quarters have been bulldozed to make way for newer buildings. Some, luckily, have now been protected to try and protect these beautiful, calm places in the hectic world that is Beijing, especially so in the old quarter near to the Bell Tower and Shichahai Lake.
The hutongs also give a slice of what it is to be a local in Beijing, particularly if you like food. Anytime,day or night someone will be selling something hot and delicious. Baozi buns (steamed white fresh buns) filled with either green vegetables or pork, sour and spicy noodles, grilled tofu on a stick, beef and pak choi with rice, candied fruit and jian bing (like a crepe) are just some of the delights on offer. Chinese food as we know it, it is not. It’s 100 times better, hotter and much more satisfying. Don’t be put off by the thought of eating ‘street food’ – it’s possibly the safest food to eat. Cooked fresh in front of your eyes and served piping hot it may be the best Chinese takeaway you’ve ever had.
Katie Melua wasn’t wrong when she sang about ‘nine million bicycles’ in Beijing. It’s the most used form of transport to get around Beijing and even though the city is pretty hectic, even by London standards, it caters far better for cyclists than the UK. Cyclists are the majority and all roads have some form of cycle lane – it’s the other cycles you’ll have to think about! Travelling by bike in Beijing means you’ll get to experience Beijing life as locals do, as with sampling hutong street food. You can leisurely cycle from sight to sight and locals will become more open and friendly towards you along the way.
Bikes can be rented quite easily in the city although there are many tours that offer bicycling as an option. Beijing is as flat as a pancake so it’s accessible for all fitness levels. On a typical day you could see the Forbidden City (although a full day is preferable for this masterpiece), the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the cultural hutongs. Or to be up to the moment, and cycle from the Summer Palace to where the Olympics are being held to see the village, bird nest, water cube, sports centre and ethnic garden.
Fly from London Heathrow direct to Beijing with BA or Air China; fly via a European hub with Finnair, KLM or Air France
Flight Time approx 10 hours
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