Budget Travel Days: Beijing

Beijing is a huge city with so much history and plenty of attractions. Some of the most popular attractions such as the Summer Palace, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven cost as little as $5-$12 each for a ticket. There is so much to see that you could easily spend 2-4 hours wandering around each of them. If you're looking to spend even less than that, check out a few of my trip suggestions below.  

Taking the subway is a cheap and easy way to get around the city. Currently the subway only costs 2 yuan per ride, anywhere in the city. Although that will soon be changing to model Shanghai's price system that charges different rates determined by distance.  

Tian'an Men Square: Free
Visit Mao's Mausoleum, the tower gates and other monuments dedicated to China's history.

 
National Museum of China: Free
Across from Tian'an Men Square to the east is the National Museum of China. The museum is quite large and supposed to be one of the largest in the world. One of the current exhibits is on the Silk Road, but you will also find other permanent exhibits on ancient China.  

JingShan Park: 2 Yuan
The Forbidden City exits on the north side of the complex. Across the street from the exit is the entrance to JingShan Park. It's a beautiful park to walk around. If you climb up the hill to the top you'll find beautiful views of the Forbidden City, depending on how clear the day is. Be sure to look for the tree that the last Ming emperor used to hang himself when rebel forces invaded. The original tree is gone, but a new one was planted in it's place with a plaque designating the location.  

Beihai Park/Houhai Park: Free
Beihai Park is just west of the Forbidden City. If you continue north you will follow QianHai to Houhai. Or you can take subway line 6 to the BeiHai North station. There are several lakes in a chain with paths to walk around that are beautiful. You'll also find a few shops and restaurants geared towards tourists.    

  
Panjiayuan Market: Free (to browse)
This is my favorite market in Beijing to shop. To find it just take subway line 10 to the Panjiayuan stop. The English name is the Antique Market. I'm not sure how genuine the products are, but if you're looking for a souvenir to take home you'll find a wide assortment here. In my experience, the prices were low compared to the Pearl Market and other tourist markets around the city. I spent a few hours wandering the stalls and I didn't cross paths with any other foreign tourists. Even if you don't buy anything, there are plenty of fun things to see.  

 
Suggested Itinerary:
You could easily spend a full day beginning at Tian'an Men Square subway stop. Just south is a market place to browse Chinese souvenirs. Then continue to Tian'an Men Square to visit the Tower Gates and Mao's Mausoleum. When you're finished at the square, head west to the National Museum to explore more of China's history. After, walk north alongside the Forbidden City and you'll find more reasonably priced tourist shops. Once you reach the northern edge of the Forbidden City, head west to find the entrance to JingShan Park. Take your time wandering around the park and enjoying the views from the top of the hill. Then exit the park to the west where you will find BeiHai Park. You can circle BeiHai or walk north along the lake to reach HouHai as well. In the evening there are many bars in the HouHai area to listen to music alongside the lake.   



If you're feeling adventurous, there are so many streets to explore on foot. I encourage you to wander. 

What would you add to this list?



 *Prices were accurate when this posted.

Budget Travel Days

I love to travel and I take any opportunity to explore every corner of this world that I can. On the other hand my husband is not so much of a traveler. We've gone on lots of adventures together, but he has his limits on the amount of museums, historic sites and attractions that I can drag him to. There was usually a point in each of our longer trips when he would get tired of spending money on everything. Even though we budget ahead of time, while on vacation we do spend a lot of money because, well, we have to eat and take cabs or trains and of course explore. And all of that costs money. Almost all of it anyway. 

So, when we hit that inevitable point in our trip, I bring out a list of free things to do to explore the city that we are in. Of course, we still have to pay for our meals, but we'll spend the day exploring the city by taking advantage of the many free activities. Sometimes that means visiting free museums, churches, or historic sites. Other places that means a self guided walking tour to take in the fountains, piazzas and architecture. Either way we get a chance to explore and learn something new that is also easy on the pocket book.  

This will be a new series dedicated to him that I will post about here on the blog. Whether you're looking for a few tips to stretch your vacation dollars or you're looking for a day or two of inexpensive sightseeing, I have a few ideas to share with you. Check back tomorrow for the first post on Beijing and look for more Budget Travel Days to come. 

  

Holiday Wish List

Every year around the holidays my family requests a list of gift ideas from me. This year I won't be celebrating the holidays in the traditional way, but I love (window) shopping and compiled this list of gifts that I would love to give or receive this year.

  one/two/three

four/five/six

seven/eight/nine

Which items are you gifting or hoping to receive this year? 

Photo Friday: Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Ireland

September 2009

Life In China: Three Months In

I can't believe that I've been in China for three months now. Time sure flies! This has been a transition year for me. I graduated with my master's degree, separated from my husband of five years, and moved to China. I can honestly say there have been a lot of bumps along the way, but I'm finally settling in a really good place emotionally. 

My first month here was really occupied with figuring out how everything worked and adjusting to much different living conditions that I was accustomed to. China is very dirty compared to back home and of course there are the squat toilets and smog conditions to contend with. I've learned how to depend on others, which is very difficult for me, to complete even the simplest tasks like paying my electric bill or buying food. Of course I had doubts along the way and wondered why I left everything behind for this.  As I learned my way around and adjusted to my new normal things got a bit easier.

After the first month, I was fortunate enough to have a two week holiday. So of course I set off on a solo travel adventure and visited Shanghai, Nanjing, Qingdao and Beijing. It was an amazing trip that I had the opportunity to take all because of my decision to live in China and have the adventure of a lifetime. I experienced the kindness of strangers in each city who helped me along the way even when they spoke no English at all. I really had a chance to experience China that most tourists miss out on. There is a rich complexity to the culture and customs here that is often missed by those who travel only to the well known sites and dine in the international restaurants because they are comfortable there. I feel very blessed for the opportunity to experience this other side of China.  

Following my trip I experienced two bouts of illness, one from bad food and the other from a nasty cold. Normally I'm a tough person, but being so sick and weak that I'm stuck in bed for a few days is enough to let the self doubt creep in. I started questioning the direction of my life and felt really alone being in a foreign country away from close friends and family. 

Although when I started to question my decisions and wondered how I was going to survive again on my own, it dawned on me. I've already done it. I took this tiny little apartment and made it feel like home. I've made new friends and I've found ways to enjoy some of my favorite hobbies. I learned how to adapt my cooking to the products available to me so I can still enjoy some of my favorite dishes while sampling the new cuisine China has to offer. I've found new people to cook for, which brings me great joy. Most of all, I've fully regained my self confidence and independence. I never really lost either, but being in a marriage that isn't working can take a toll on your self esteem. 

I finally feel like I am in a place I want to be both physically and emotionally. Living in another country isn't always glory and adventure. Some days are good, some days are great but you also experience the bad and the awful. Everywhere you go there are advantages and disadvantages. Not to mention that going through a divorce isn't easy no matter who or where you are. That experience alone is enough to set me on an emotional roller-coaster. My life wouldn't be anymore perfect if I'd stayed where I was and my life here in China isn't perfect either. However I'm enjoying exactly where I am right now.  Two of my all time favorite movies are: Eat, Pray Love and Under The Tuscan Sun. I feel that my experience mimics each of these, which are actually based on real life stories. Perhaps one day I will publish my story, the Chinese edition.

I know I won't live in China forever, but I want to experience as much as possible while I'm here. And so far, I'm enjoying the ride.