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 Nowhere
in the world are you likely to find a city with such a fascinating mix of ancient
and modern as Beijing. The striking contrast between the lavish imperial palaces,
the Communist era edifices and the modern havens to commercialism are at once
inspiring and bewildering.
Although you will still come across old men in Mao style uniforms wandering the
streets, Beijing is desperately trying to shed its grey, Eastern-bloc coat in
favour of a new, shiny image. Springing up all over the city are spanking new
department stores, hotels and restaurants, enticing people in with the promise
of Western designer brands and luxury lifestyles. Cheek by jowl with these are
old "hutongs", traditional streets with atmospheric little tea
shops where you'll find makeshift barbers set up in the middle of the street and
rickety market stalls selling fruit and vegetables.
At yet another extreme are the sumptuous buildings of imperial China.
Most famous of these is the amazing Forbidden City. With its exquisite
furnishings and hidden inner courtyards, the palace provides one of the most fascinating
insights into the opulent world of the Emperor, his courtiers and eunuchs. The
city also boasts some beautiful old temples such as the peaceful Taoist Dong Yue
Temple, hidden away in the middle of a busy shopping street.
While you're here, you can't miss an excursion to the Great Wall, only
a short trip away and as awe-inspiring as you would expect of such a majestic
structure.
Finally, Beijing is a great place to come if you like Chinese food, with
regional cuisines from the entire country represented in the city, dining out
being a favourite pastime with Beijingers.
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