Itinerary: Beijing, China

Travel Date: Nov 19-24 2013

Accommodation: Where to stay in Beijing?
Ibis Beijing Capital Airport Hotel 
No.2 Tianzhu Middle Street, Airport &
New Int´l Exhibition Center, Beijing,

Spring Time Hostel
South West Corner of Dongsi Subway Station (Exit. D)
Building AB, Gongjian Dayuan, Dong Si Xi Da Jie, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100010

Temperature
Mean Temperature: 19-Nov: 1.9, 20-Nov: 3.7, 21-Nov: 4, 22-Nov: 4.8, 23-Nov: 7.2, 24-Nov: 6.9
Max Temperature: 23-Nov: 16

Minimum Temperature: 19-Nov: -5

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Beijing?
Wed:
-Diaoyutai Gingko Avenue 
-Tianamen Square
-Forbidden City
-At night: Wangfujing, The Egg

Thu:
-Muntianyu Tour
-At Night: Olympic Village (Bird’s Nest, Water Cube outside)

Fri:
-Omiyage Shopping
-Jingshan Park
-Qianmen Street

Sat:
-Temple of Heaven
-Antique Shop
-Free Time/Preparation to the Airport

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Going Back to the Airport

We are undecided if we can take a cab or train. 

There are sections when we can’t help but take stairs and its hard for us to carry luggage on it, so we decided to take a cab.  Looks like taxis are not stopping, there were about 3 drivers who declined us, for the reason that they don’t want to carry heavy luggage.

So we went back to Entrance G, take Line 6 to Chongyangmen.  Transfer to Line 2 for Dongzhimen.  Just to prevent us from being away from each other, we decided to always take the car behind the train driver, so he can see that we are difficulty on getting in or off the train. 

Even if you are having difficulty in carrying your bags on the stairs, make sure not to leave them.. I have a heavier bag and we carried it halfway the stairs.  As we are to return to the lower area to get back the second bag, there is a sudden rush of people that get off from the train, so I told her to return to secure the first bag.  I went up carrying the second bag, after the flow of people.  She told me that she can’t leave the first bag since she saw two men in black that is starring at my bag. 

Next, we headed to transfer to Airport Express station.  After the exit, we bought another single journey ticket going to Terminal 2 for 25 cyn (150php, 2013).  There is only 1 coffee shop at 1F Departure. We roam around VIP lounge and restaurant area at the 3F and decided to grab our dinner at Pizza Hut on B1 (on the same level are KFC and Starbucks). 

Check-in counter for 5J673 opened late at 9:30pm.  Seems that they no longer allow group check-in for bags even if you bought it at the same confirmation number.  Next, find your way to the Gates, there is a Health Check counter. Prepare your departure card, passport and boarding pass for the Immigration counter.  Next, consume your mineral water and surrender the bottle before the film security check (x-ray).  With a tray, you'll be requested to remove your camera and computer from your bag and individual should not be wearing his jacket.  Prepare for a long body security check.

On the way, only 2 duty free shops are working (souvenirs, jade, tea, and perfumes). 

Finally, another waiting game but at least there are seats now.  Look for the yellow sign in between seats and you can find the power sockets for you to use.

Here is my list of comments:

1.  Not sure if T2 is a budget terminal, but there are only few selection of restaurants.

2. Airport taxis are scam.

3. Warm water for toilet use are still cold during cold season (unlike Japan).

4. Designated power sockets along the waiting area is much appreciated. 

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: After Taste

I used to like Chinese food, but possibly not on this trip.  It may have been not the best experience, but hope to see and taste better in the future.

Restaurant inside Temple of Heaven

Food: 5 out of 10

Value: Affordable

Atmosphere: 6 out of 10

Orders: egg and tomato soup, unlimited dumplings



rbt Tea Cafe (Asian Restaurant)

Location: 180 Xidan N St Xicheng, Beijing (http://en.rbt.com.cn/index.php)

Food: 6 out of 10

Value: Affordable (52cyn =320php)

Atmosphere: 8 out of 10

Orders: beef and fish cakes

We're not able to enjoy the beef because it is too raw and we're not able to chew it.  Thus, we ended up loving the fish cakes, but that is tasty.

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Subway: Line 5, Tiantandongmen Station, Exit A1

From some of my search, the entrance is 2cyn.  But we paid 30 rm, it’s an all-in ticket to get inside the secured areas.  We get in Temple of Heaven and Echo Wall, but when we wanted to return on the Temple of Heaven, they still needed another ticket, good thing that we did not go the third building so we still have spare ticket.  There are unending visitors on these places. 

Exit A1 from Tiantandongmen Station, these park is superb greenery even at early winter weather.  Seems that the area is not just visited by foreign visitors but most locals enjoy the area as well.  There are those exercising and practicing different types of recreation.  Most stuff their selling are souvenirs for visitors and for kid’s entertainment, like selling fan and ball, thing used in kick games and big ribbons for gymnastics.

empty branches under the sun 

Temple of Heaven inside is a hollow temple from the inside but has intricate design and paintings.

Moving towards the Echo Wall, they have already set ropes to give distance on the visitors from the wall.  Thus, echoing is no longer obvious - which should not be the case if they still want visitors to come by for its true purpose.

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Jingshan Park

From Dongsi we took a bus going to Jingshan Park, make sure to study the routes before taking a bus so you'll not get lost.

The focal point is the artificial hill Jingshan, literally "Prospect Hill".  [Reference]

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: City Lights - Night 02

Subway Line 8 (Olympic Special Line): get off at Olympic Green Station Exit D, to visit Xin'ao Shopping Centre for dinner.

Take upstairs going to road area, walk towards south direction, look for Nest or Ling Long Pagoda (which is hard to miss).

These area are inside guarded village.  No need for entrance fee but they are requiring the visitors to pass x-ray scanners.

National Stadium (Bird's Nest)

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Conquering the Wall

We left the hotel by 7:30, and pick-up other tourists along the way.  We left the city at around 8:00.  It's a long two hour ride without traffic passing the tree plantation and mountainous area of Beijing.  Finally, we arrived at Mutianyu section on Great Wall of China. 

Tour buses stayed at Park #4, then we walked passing Park #3, #2, #1.  We were given our entrance tickets and paid an extra 80yuan (480php) each for open cable car going up and tobonggan going down.  The last portion of the cable car is a bit scary because the cliff is to deep and dark that I was not able to see the ground clearly. 

It is around 8 km (Mutianyu) walk from the cable exit/tobonggan (Tower 6) to Tower 11.  If you want to see the old walls go towards right direction for Tower 1.

Tobongan (Left), Open Cable Car (Right)

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: City Lights - Night 01

After an hour of rest in the base camp, we headed out to have dinner.  We walked from Dongsi Station to Wangfujing Station, we skipped Donghuamen (Food) Street since we are not eating from the stalls.

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Wangfujing Dajie 74, Beijing
Schedule: Mon-Saturday 6:15 AM Chinese (Simplified)

After which, we headed from Tiananmen East station to West station to see The Giant Egg.

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Gingko and Tiananmen

It is not the day one that I expected.  It was too off track to what I have planned due our misadventures. 

DIAOYUTAI GINGKO AVENUE

Just outside Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, it is more popular to visit during first two weeks of November, because the leaves have already fallen when we arived.

Location: Fucheng Road Side, Haidian, Beijing, China

Subway: Line 09, Baiduizi Station, Exit C

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Spring Time Hostel

Where to set your base camp in Beijing?  I initially wanted to stay near Wangfujing area, but I can’t find affordable but still livable hostel in the area.  When you find your hotel make sure that you get location near station that has less transfer from the airport.  From airport to city it is easier to get a taxi but it is hard to get a cab going back to the airport, most of them complain about heavy luggage.

I enlisted Day’s Inn Forbidden City Hotel and Citytel Inn as other options, but it would take more than 5-10 minutes from the nearest train exit.  Since the days we have visited would have a minimum of -.05 to -5 Celsius, I wanted to stay somewhere very close to train exit/entrance.

I did the reservation from booking.com for Spring Time Hostel and paid 900 cyn upon our arrival.  They also required us with 100 cyn deposit for the keys, which will be returned upon check-out.

Location: Good - It is a stone-throw away from Dongsi Station, Exit G from Subway Line 6 or Exit D from Subway Line 5.  There is Holiland bakeshop and café on the same corner of the hotel.  Across there is a supermarket, McDonalds, banks and post office.  It is 3 stations away from Wangfujing and will take around 15 minutes walking to reach the Street Food Market in Donghuamen St.

Check-in Experience: Not the Best – There is main person behind the desk talking to his colleague sitting outside the desk, they were guessing where we came from and bit talking about us being from Philippines.  I’m the one talking to them so that made me uncomfortable (going back to the thought, that it is not yet time for us to visit their country).  Once the payment was settled, we were escorted to our room.  There is a 2-step staircase that we passed by and he never offered assistance to us.

2013 Oct: Visa Application for Beijing, China

My last trip in China was in Shanghai on 2010. After 3 years, we'll be going back and this time to Beijing. Since personal visa application in the embassy is not a convenient experience (read my first time Chinese Visa application), we decided to get the travel agency service for this requirement.

I initially inquire at Reli Tours in SM Southmall Las Pinas and they quote me with a shocking 5000 service fee and a deposit of 1000 for the list of requirements. How come it is overpriced? Probably, because they are a partner agency of Japanese Embassy and not China. If I say yes, that would mean my roundtrip ticket is equivalent to the visa service fee and that will not be a smart traveler decision.

Thank you to pinoyexchange.com for recommending Asia Pacific Travel in Escolta, Manila. 

Asia Pacific Travel
G/F AIC Center Bldg., Escolta St., Brgy 291, Zone 027., Binondo, Manila
Tel #:3533127/3533729/3533697
Also, open on Saturdays: 8:0am - 12:00n

Going there: By commuting take a jeepney going to Divisoria.  This will pass Jones Bridge, AIC building is the first building on your right side.  

For private cars, you can take the street parking in front of the office/building. On your way back, since Jones Bridge is one-way, take the street going to Santa Cruz and take the Mac Arthur Bridge to reach Lawton area.

What are the requirements for second-timer applicants:
1. Passport with your old China visa.  
2. Photocopy of the identification page of the passport and old China Visa
3. Photo (2by2) with white background that should be paste (not stapled) on the form
4. Filled-up application form (available on web and in the office)
5. Itinerary can be attached (but also asked in the application form)
6. Others would say they need Invitation Letter (But I only prepared: round trip tickets and hotel reservations)

I prepared Certificate of Employment and Bank Statements (but these were not required for second-timer applicants).  After submitting all the documents, we only paid 1600Php, 1400Php for the actual visa fee and 200Php for the travel agency service fee.  After 4 working days, it is already available in their office. I was able to get my passport and visa (30-day stay) the following weekend and all transactions went well.  Thank you very much Asia Pacific Travel for making this easy for us.

2010 June: Shanghai: Day 7: Departure

My fever is gone, but still not that well. We tried the pasta from Bee Home’s Restaurant. If you have a choice to eat outside do it, the pasta is not that tasty but is given in huge serving.

Going down the DongChang Road train terminal is not that easy. We are carrying 2 luggage bags, 1 backpack and 2 shoulder bags – and this was not easy to carry at all in the stairs! Luckily, there is an old woman who offered her help for us to carry our things.

We took again MagLev going to the airport. At the airport, I had again my rest, sleep and wake-up just in time for the check-in. My sister said that I should not make unnecessary noise at the Immigration – no coughing, no flu, and no sneezing. But how can I pass their temperature scanner.

Happily, I was able to make it to the plane. Upon arrival in Manila, is when it went WORST! I was not able to stabilize the pressure in my right ear. While going to the Philippine Immigration area, there is a loud tick sound, and my right ear was not able to hear anymore. We arrived at 4am, at our home I’m still not able to ear. While lying down and moving left to right, my right ear is aching. Then there are times, that I was shouting due to the hurt that I’m feeling. I was telling my family to take me to the hospital. Then, by the EENT Specialist it was proven that my ear drum is still kept intact. The reason I can’t hear is due to a blood stuck on my right ear that is not able to go down on its veins which is due to my nose irritation – remember that I had runny nose. Perhaps that my nose has allergies to the new environment.

2010 June: Shanghai: Day 6: World Expo 2010 – Europe

Travel Date: June 17, 2010
Destination: World Expo 2010

This day is just a really just a quick stop at the Expo site – this is to see the Europe area (and other non-Asian countries). We had a quick walk to see the buildings and had a goal of going back early to Bee Home for me to take a rest.

I had a long sleep in the afternoon to get better. We went out to see Shanghai World Financial Center at night. Since it was foggy, there is less to see when we go at 100F. We bought the cheapest ticket 100yuan that will reach only until 94F. It was not so clear, but still we were able to see the flashes coming from the The Bund to capture photos of the buildings in Pudong area.

2010 June: Shanghai: Day 5: LOVE

Travel Date: June 16, 2010
Destination: LOVE Architecture

Still sick, but went out to see the LOVE architecture. We took the train and dropped off at Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. We took a cab going to Shanghai Zendai Museum of Modern Art. It is just a 3min ride at 12yuan. I’m collecting photos with this LOVE architecture (by American Artist Robert Indiana).

Good thing there is also Nike, Adidas and Nine West outlet shops in the area.

Just a very short trip, as we went home for me to take some rest.

2010 June: Shanghai: Day 4: Hangzhou

Travel Date: June 15, 2010
Destination: Hangzhou

We booked our Hangzhou Trip from AbsoluteChinaTour.com (http://www.absolutechinatours.com/Hangzhou-tours/). We were picked-up by the Guide in BeeHome. We thought that we are joining a guided group tour. Then, it came to us by surprise that we are riding a car since we are the only guests who booked the tour on that day.

After around one and half hours of driving, we reached the first stop – Six Harmony Pagoda. At first it was good, learning the culture, taking our time as to when we will return to the car.

Then, we went to Meijiawu Tea Village. Beware of this traditional tea ceremony. Even if this is very informative on health ideas, you will be suggested to buy their product – I really don’t want to buy it, but my sister wants to, so we ended up buying 1 can of green tea.

We had a very quick lunch, short cruise and walking at the West Lake. This is when I started not to enjoy the tour. As if we are running on something, were walking so fast. We are not stopping on some scenic places. Bai and Su Causeways were not that attractive as seen in internet photos.

The lesson is not to book a tour during any local Holiday – like Dragon Boat Festival. There are lots of locals and tourists coming to the river and lakes – that you’ll end up not enjoying the trip.

By the time we reached Shanghai again, I started to feel cold. After a short stroll at the Malls in Central – we already went home as I was confirmed sick.

Tip: When travelling, prepare all your medicines and carry with you a thermometer. It is so hard to find thermometer that even Watson’s staff don’t understand English.

How to get to Hangzhou

China: Shanghai: Day 3: World Expo 2010 – Asia

Travel Date: June 14, 2010
Destination: Work Expo 2010

From our hostel, we took Line 9 (Blue Lane) and drop off at Madang Rd. Station. After the Exit gates, we had a long walk going to the Expo Ticket counter. They no longer offer the 3-day pass, so we bought the day’s pass for 160yuan.

As we go to the entrance gates, that is where the long queue begins. They open the gates at 9am. Everyone will pass a very comprehensive security check. For the bags, it will pass an x-ray scanner, just like the airport security. This is the most scrupulous body check I ever had: I was holding a handkerchief, Expo map and Expo ticket on my right hand; a watch on my left hand; and was wearing a cap. The personnel said something and I told her to say it in English, “What is this?” Not sure “what” she was referring to until I knew that she was asking about “what is a handkerchief?” Out of my surprise, duh! Officer: “Can I open it (referring to the hanky)?” Next, “Can I see your watch?” (closely look at it for about 5 seconds). “Can you take off your hat?” “Can you please turn around?” (did another security check). Finally, “Okay, no problem”. I told her “So, is it fine now?”

As I was about to grab my bag, the officer grab it back from me and let it pass again (the second time) on the x-ray scanner. I was about to be interrogated by the first officer in charge, but I guess he can’t speak in English, so he pass my bag to the last officer. He said, “Is there anything here like a light?” “Can I see it?” “I need to check it.” I said, yes and okay. Then after turning on and off the small flashlight I carried in the bag, he let me pass the gate.

It almost took me an hour, waiting for the queue, passing the security checks, before I can finally use my Expo ticket to enter the gates. I believe that this is a world event that should really be safe and secure, but they are really messing the enjoyment of the visitors.

We had to walk a little further before we can reach the train station, Line 13 (Pink Lane). From Madang Rd., visitors had the option to drop off at Lupu Bridge station for the Corporate Pavilions. We dropped off at Shibo Rd. station to visit the Asia section (A and B).

During early morning, all pavilions have long queues. It is so hard to take photos with the pavilion alone. The locals or visitors don’t mind passing in front of the camera. Don’t be shy to tell them to stop or pass on the other side when you are taking your photos.

Here are some of the shots from section A and B.

New Zealand Pavilion: Tiki Dance

Cambodia Pavilion

After the Expo Axis, we have reached the China Pavilion.

Taiwan Pavilion


Saudi Pavilion
Nepal Pavilion

Korea Pavilion

We had a simple dinner in Indonesia Pavilion, good thing the entrance to the restaurant is different from the exhibit that is why we don’t need to queue.

While the rain keeps on falling, the Philippine pavilion keeps on having visitors; the queue did not get shorter. By around 6pm, we decided to be in line. With a theme of Performing Cities, the designs used are traditional instruments found in Pinas. There are shops for the local goodies and much on pearls. Almost two-thirds of the place was used for the restaurant. I noticed that they did not promote, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol or other beautiful sceneries here in the country – maybe because of the theme.

The rain did not stop, so we decided to leave the place early.

2010 June: Shanghai: Day 2: The Bund and Bee Home Hostel

Travel Date: June 13, 2010
Destination: The Bund and Yuyuan Gardens

Sunday morning, we ate breakfast at Burger King at the ground floor. We waited for the opening of the train rides going to the city. We bought MagLev tickets – these are for the Magnetic Levitation train which is considered the fastest train. (Per Wiki, The top operational commercial speed of this train is 431 km/h (268 mph), making it the world's fastest train in regular commercial services since its opening in 2004.) See more on: http://www.smtdc.com/en/jszl.asp.


LongYang Road station is the last station of the MagLev. We pulled our luggage in the escalator to transfer to the MRT terminal. We were not able to buy the card as this is not available from the counter. Even the machines are not releasing multi-ride card, or we just don’t know how does it work? So, we just took a one-way chip going to DongChang Road station.

There is an escalator going up to the street level at DongChang station. Bee Home Hostel is just easy to find and is simply 12 min walk away from the train station. One of the receptionists is not accommodating as he wanted us to wait until 12nn before we can check-in. We waited for an hour, it was like 10am, when we asked another receptionist, and he allowed us to go to our room.

We booked this hotel from www.hostelworld.com. We were given a room in 3rd floor, we took the stairs as there were no elevators in the building. The room is clean, it has broken cabinet, it has a small table and a chair, it was well lighted and has a window with good view of Shanghai World Financial Center.

After taking some rest, we started the adventure. We bought Shanghai Public Transportation Card for 100yuan (20 yuan for deposit and 80 yuan for usage)We went straight ahead to East Nanjing Road (Green Lane). Spend some time to see Church of Holy Trinity, too bad that it was closed and under construction. We went straight ahead to The Bund. Don’t worry about crossing the streets as there are pedestrian lanes across the main street. We took a lot of photos as it was a beautiful cityscape.

We roam and do shopping at Yuyuan Street Shops. (This is a Detour Task at Leg 11 for Amazing Race Asia Season 16: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race_16)

From Yuyuan Gardens, we took a cab going to Shanghai People’s Heroes Memorial. Why I was pushing to see this place? It was one of the location shoot of Cheng Xu’s series Starlit. (http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-421668/starlit-jerry-yan-terri-kwan-alice-zheng-airing-jan-24).

Then we passed by The Bund again for the final photo-opportunity, before we take the trains going to Pudong area.