Cool things to do in Beijing

There’s more to China’s capital than just Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall. Here are other exciting ways to make the most of your time in the city. Most travellers to Beijing make it a point to visit Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. While these cultural sites are certainly worth seeing, the city holds many more interesting attractions. We suggest you insert these in your itinerary: Get lost in the hutongs Hutongs – the thousands of old alleyways that criss-cross the city like a chessboard – are the cultural and historical spine of Beijing. Thankfully, you can still experience the intricate beauty of these architectural gems today. Many of the interesting ones were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and can be found in the vicinity of the Forbidden City. Roaming through them will transport you back to city’s past, and is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon. Some famous hutongs include Beixinqiao Hutong, which has more than 20 turns and is easy to get lost in; Qian Shi or Money Market Hutong, the narrowest; Dong Jiaomin Hutong, the longest; and Zhuan Ta Hutong, the oldest. The most visited hutong is Yan Dai Xie Jie or “slanted tobacco pipe street”, which is famous for its many pipe shops. There are also many teahouses and bars along Yan Dai Xie Jie, so you can always stop and rest if you get tired. Watch a Beijing opera The most complex and graceful of all the operas, Beijing operas began around 1790, during the reign of Qing Emperor Qianlong. An intricate art form that combines music, drama, dance, dialogue, mime, literature and martial arts, Beijing opera plays a big role in Chinese national culture. Never mind if you don’t understand the language – the magnificent and colourful embroidered costumes, dramatic makeup and hypnotic melodies are enough to keep you enthralled. You can catch a performance at Liyuan Theatre and Zhengyici Theatre in the Xuanwu District, or Chang’an Grand Theatre in the Dongcheng District.

Cheap Travel

You would be beyond hard-pressed to find even a single person that didn’t absolutely love being able to get away from it all every once in a while. Unfortunately, traveling just as in past cheap as it used to be – especially if you’re looking to take a once in a lifetime trip to reboot, refresh, and restart your life. This has to do with a lot of the crippled economic conditions we are all living with (as many of us certainly have the time, just not the funds), but there are a couple of other reasons that this just isn’t possible. People have almost forgotten the art of cheap travel, ignoring the weekend getaways while paying attention only to exorbitantly expensive all-inclusive destination trips. Of course, there are a handful of tips that you can use to lock up fantastically cheap travel options – but you have to know the insider secrets to take advantage of each and every one of them. This kind of information just isn’t common knowledge, but we’ve included some of the very best tips below. Look at cheap travel options in your immediate area This might be the very best way for you to get away for a while without having to break the bank. All you have to do is look to your immediate area – maybe the two or three close the cities to you, and if you live in a major metro area you might just look at a handful of neighborhoods you don’t spend any time in. The odds are fantastic that there are a couple of hidden gems all around you that you never even considered as a quick getaway, and you won’t have to deal with the pain, hassle, and added expense of planning and expensive trip. Also, look to see what kinds of transportation deals you can find in your local area. Many times smaller businesses or tiny chains are willing to give fantastic first time deals to new customers, especially if you are from their local area and could potentially become a lifelong customer or client. These deals are also very often overlooked for whatever reason, but can help you score some tremendously cheap travel. Try to lock up your trips during off-seasons You may have to make a bit of a trade-off here, but just by choosing to visit locales in their off-season rather than at the peace of their popularity gives you the chance to hit it out of the park with cheap travel. Almost all destination locations around the globe have peak times that they are overwhelmingly popular, followed by long dry spells where it seems like they can get anyone to book a room, fly in, or spend any time there whatsoever. They are likely to give you incredible savings across the board on lighting, dining, and even airfare or travel expenses – if you’ll only opt to go when everyone else seemingly will not. Of course, avoid any dangerous situations (hurricane or tropical storm season immediately leaps to mind) unless you really, really, REALLY, need to get away – no amount of savings with cheap travel is worth putting yourself through that risk, frustration, and aggravation. Try out alternative lodging sources of travel AirB&B has quickly become one of the more popular services all over the world for finding ridiculously cheap travel and lodging options, as has Couchsurfing. These two options allow you to either rent out someone’s home or apartment in the destination that you are looking to spend some time in, or in the case of Couch surfing you can actually spend the night in someone’s home completely and totally free of charge. While maybe not for the least adventurous of us, these two options can save you a ridiculous amount of money, helping you unlock the secret to cheap travel in ways that others may not be aware of. You could also look for hostels or low-cost lodging online, but these options are not nearly as popular as the two listed above. Of course, you should also see if there is any other way to travel to your destination rather than using an airplane. Airfare costs can rise dramatically, and are almost always more expensive than say train travel or by ship. Now, if you’re just looking to move about the country the odds are great that you won’t want to take a train or a ship (especially if you are hard-pressed for time), but if it fits into your schedule is these two options can give you ridiculously cheap travel costs with the same – if not higher – levels of comfort. Cheap travel is not as easy to track down and locate as it used to be, but this in no way means that it is impossible. You’ll have to work just a little bit harder – and plan a little bit more ahead of time – but all in all, you too can enjoy cheap travel with very little extra effort.

Beijing city break

Few cities on earth are changing as fast as Beijing, the sprawling capital of China. New hotels, shopping malls and tourist attractions are springing up at giddying speed across the city. However, Beijing's high-speed physical makeover moves hand-in-hand with a firmly retained grip on China's rich cultural heritage. It is this pairing of faced-paced modernity and cultural richness that make Beijing one of the world’s most exciting cities to visit.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is home to the Great Hall of the People, China's parliament, and the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, where the body of Chairman Mao rests. Just south of Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven (located within Temple of Heaven Park) is China's largest temple complex.

Slip back in time
Built in the 15th century, the Forbidden City (or Palace Museum) is a vast complex of courtyards, halls, pavilions and gardens, which was home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Artwork
To the northwest of the city, the 798 Factory Art District at Dashanzi is gaining global recognition for its portfolio of galleries and art museums showcasing the works of China's much-in-demand new breed of contemporary artists.

Great Wall
Away from the centre, go to Badaling to walk on the majestic and famous Great Wall.

Teahouses
As to be expected from a capital city, Beijing is leading the country's cultural revival, and a crop of teahouses have recently reappeared in the capital which showcase a variety of Beijing opera, martial arts and acrobatics and serve delicious selections of tea and cakes.

Musical fun
The Beijing Concert Hall is dedicated to classical music, with regular concerts by Beijing's resident orchestra, as well as visiting orchestras from the rest of China and overseas.

10 Must-Have Items When Packing for Family Vacations

Tip #1: Whenever I travel with my baby and toddler, I always bring along a box of denture cleanser tablets. They are amazing for cleaning pacifiers, baby spoons, sippy cup lids, and anything else that is hard to sterilize on the road. I just fill a glass with warm water, drop in the item, and pop in a tablet. We're good to go in five minutes. --Amy from Burlington, VT

Tip #2: I use those nylon mesh lingerie laundry bags for packing little items, such as my baby's socks or my 3-year-old's undies. I can see what's in the bags, the small items stay organized, and I don't lose any tiny socks! --Maura from Berkeley, CA

Tip #3: Keeping your hands free is handy anytime you have a little kid in tow -- but especially in a busy airport. Before my last trip, I bought a pack of inexpensive carabiners (D-ring snap-on clips), which are available in most grocery and big box stores. I snapped a couple of carabiners on to my carry-on bag (and to my 5-year-old son's backpack) and I was able to tote extra items of clothing, small toys, and sippy cups while still keeping my hands free. Best yet, everything stayed within easy reach. When we arrived at our destination, I transferred the carabiners to my daypack. --Eileen from Gilbert, AZ

Tip #4: One of our favorite bring-alongs is those small bottles of bubbles that come in packs (the kind that kids get in goodie bags at birthday parties). Whenever we're waiting in a long line, I blow bubbles for the kids to pop. All of the parents around us always think it's such a great idea because it keeps everyone entertained. Their kids always call me "the bubble lady." --Jennifer from Owassa, OK

Tip #5: If you're going to a resort with a kid's camp, bring a package of inexpensive, new white T-shirts -- I typically can get a three-pack for around $11. Inevitably, the kids will wind up making tie-dye shirts as an activity one day and you'll end up paying $10 for each if you buy one on the spot. --Diane from Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Tip #6: Pack a "permanent" toiletry bag. Buy trial sizes or doubles of your shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, contact lens solution, deodorant, lotion, and so on for your toiletry bag. Don't forget a hairbrush, toothbrush, tweezers, and mini first-aid and sewing kits. Use a gallon-size Ziploc bag for anything like makeup or medication that needs to be unpacked when you get home. Your fully-stocked toiletry bag can stay right in your luggage for your next trip. This helps you not forget anything when you're packing to leave, especially if you have to pack in a hurry. --Heidi from Sibley, IA

Tip #7: I've discovered that a 6-foot extension cord can be very useful on a cruise. Quite often, there's only one pair of outlets in your cabin and they're usually not positioned in a handy spot. --Lynn from Peoria, AZ

Tip #8: Right after our flight home from a wonderful family vacation, I arrived at the baggage carrousel to discover that my suitcase had been opened during a random security search. The lock had been cut off. Since then, I have purchased a TSA luggage lock. I know the combination, and TSA officials can open it with a universal key if they need to. --Roberta from Morrison, NJ

Editor's Note: Great tip. Transportation Security Association-approved locks are designated with one of two logos. You can find TSA locks at Target (www.target.com) and Eagle Creek (www.eaglecreek.com), among other retailers.

Tip #9: I've found that blue, low-tack painter's tape is a handy take--along. This can be used to child-proof electrical sockets, hang up kid's artwork in your hotel room, and prevent a camera lens from opening while you travel (just place tape over the closed shutter). --Beverly from San Diego, CA

Tip #10: Want to pack lighter? When my family goes on trips that are longer than three days, I always bring two key items: a Ziploc bag filled with powdered laundry detergent and a sink stopper. The laundry detergent always comes in handy for washing out favorite items of clothing, like my toddler's beloved bear T-shirt. I bring the sink stopper because, in my experience, so many hotels have leaky sinks and tubs. I use the stopper in the sink to wash clothes and in the tub to make sure that my kids can take a nice long bath. --Anna from Wilmette, IL

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A Woman Traveling Alone

It is tough to be a woman traveling alone. Not only do you have to deal with the usual hassle that a tourist has to face, like getting around the place, getting over the language barrier and all that, but women traveling are also vulnerable to being on the receiving end of unwanted attention, especially if she is traveling alone. This is particularly true in countries where women do not enjoy as much freedom as women in, say, the United States do.

Safety is a special concern for a woman traveling alone. A lot of enterprising people find a woman traveling alone to be an easy target for whatever heinous heist they may have in mind, so it is very important for her to take care of herself.

The first thing that a woman traveling alone should do is to secure her lodgings. As much as possible, her lodgings should be something she should not cut corners with. She should check in a reputable place and make sure that her room is not on the first floor, where many people come and go all too easily.

Another precaution that a woman traveling alone ought to take is to keep her room number to herself. Keeping her hotel room door locked at all times is also logical. She should never let anyone inside her hotel room without first identifying who that person is. When she is ordering room service, she should ask room service to call her when the waiter is coming up to her room with her order. While the waiter is laying out her food on the table, she should stay by the door.

Whenever she eats at one of the restaurants at the hotel she is staying in, a woman traveling alone should sign her bills with her initials instead of her full name. After signing these bills, she should give them directly to the server and should take care that no one else sees them. Whenever a stranger approaches her, she should feel free to say that she is busy and does not feel up to entertaining casual conversation with people she does not know. But if she feels inclined to it, she should be careful of the things she says to the person she is talking to. Never at any time should she reveal her itinerary for her trip. Also, a little white lie can also keep her safe.

If she is going out, a woman traveling alone should leave a note at the reception, notifying the hotel of her destination and the time she left. She should also check in regularly with someone at home. When she is going about the hotel, she should steer clear of the stairs and instead use the elevator; in this case, safety comes first before burning calories. Upon returning to the hotel after going out, she should not hesitate to ask the concierge to escort her to her room if she thinks she is being followed or spied upon.

Most of all, a woman traveling alone should wear sedate outfits and do her best to blend in. She should leave her provocative clothes at home, and she should not stash her cash and valuables in one place alone.

These safety precautions may seem paranoid, but it is better to be safe than sorry. A woman should have fun and peace of mind during her trip, even when she is traveling alone.

Tips for the Perfect Honeymoon

1. Use a travel agent. Agents rarely charge for their services, and, thanks to their expertise and computerized systems, good travel agents almost always save their clients money as well as time.

2. Begin planning early. The sooner the better. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to research your trip it’s actually part of the fun! and you’ll be able to get exactly what you want. (Some places are reserved as much as a year in advance for popular dates.)

3. Share the planning. After all, this honeymoon is for both of you. If you make all the decisions, you’ll feel guilty if things don’t go perfectly. Conversely, if you don’t take part in planning, you may end up dissatisfied.

4. Set a tentative budget. Talk about your expectations and priorities so you can agree before you go about what you’ll splurge on and where you’ll skimp. This way, you’ll avoid money hassles en route. Suggestion: Splurge on your accommodations. Even if you think you won’t spend much time in your room, you’ll probably be sorry if it’s not special.

5. Take it easy. The first few days so you can recover from post-wedding exhaustion and focus on each other. Don’t try to do too much remember, you’ll have lots of time to travel together, but only one honeymoon.

6. Take advantage of free info. Call your destination’s tourist board many have toll-free telephone numbers and websites for free information on hotels, restaurants, activities and festive events. Some even provide discount-coupon books.

7. Register for your honeymoon with a travel agent or tour operator. Gifts are put toward the total cost of your trip. The average couple who uses a registry gets $500 to $1,000, which can really makes a difference.

8. Planning to take your spouse’s name? Unless you’re taking a delayed honeymoon, you won’t be able to amend your passport, driver’s license, etc., until after you’ve returned from your honeymoon. Even though you’ll be anxious to start using your married name, it can be a real nightmare if you haven’t legally changed it yet. Instead, use your maiden name on visas, airline tickets, etc., so they match your name as it appears on your official documents.

9. Pack a sense of humor. A bit of flexibility can go a long way on a honeymoon. Expect that things won’t always go as planned. Do what you can to remedy the situation, then relax and enjoy your honeymoon. Years, or even a few hours from now, you’ll probably laugh.

10. Tell the world you’re honeymooners! Don’t be bashful about your status you’re likely to enjoy special treatment such as complimentary champagne in-flight, or a gift basket in your room.

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