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Anchor:
Beijing has been offering foreign tourists from 45 listed countries with a 72 hour visa-free stay since January 1st, 2013. But to many, scheduling a 72 hour travel map in a large city with a rich history and culture is not easy. One thing unique to Beijing is its perfect combination of royal and civilian culture. Today our reporter Liu Kun offers you a carefully designed 72-hour schedule focusing on the best of the two.
Reporter:
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If you are interested in exploring imperial China, Beijing is probably the best place to do it. The city served as the imperial capital for several ancient dynasties, therefore perfectly showcases how the royal culture blends with the civilian culture in a Chinese city.
And for things to do in the next 72 hours, here are some of our suggestions.
(soundbite2, promo day1, male sound) Day 1: The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and a bite of Beijing Roast Duck
You could never go wrong when starting from the Forbidden City. As the seat of the supreme power for over five centuries, it is a priceless testimony to Chinese royal culture. Walking through courtyard after courtyard, you could get a sense of the imperial family's lifestyle through the architectural design, furnishings, living traditions and customs.
For those who are not so familiar with the Forbidden City, an audio guide is available at the entrance for just a few yuan.
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Before walking into the Forbidden City, you could also wander around the Tian'anmen Square located directly in front of the City.
For those who are ambitious to cover more than one site on the first day, the next place suggested is the Temple of Heaven. Walking out of the Forbidden City and south down the central axis of Beijing, you will come across this large complex of ancient buildings for emperors to worship Heaven. An exceptional thing you would see in the Temple of Heaven is people doing calligraphy on the ground with a gigantic brush and some water.
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That's enough for the first day.
But before going back to your hotel, you could always treat yourself to Beijing roast duck in Quanjude around the Qianmen area, one of the most famous restaurants in Beijing. Just a few blocks north of the Temple of Heaven is the place where crispy duck skin and exquisite meat would provide a delicious local dinner.
(soundbite5, promo day2, male sound) Day2: The Imperial College, Prince Gong's Mansion, and a taste of Beijing snacks
On the second day, you are advised to visit Guozijian, or the Imperial College. Take subway Line 2 and get off at Andingmen station, the Imperial College is just to the southeast of the Station. It is the only site of an ancient high education institution that has been preserved intact in China.
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Performances of traditional Chinese ritual music are performed within the College several times a day. Lasting a couple of minutes, the performances provide a pleasant short stop in your trip.
After a morning at the Imperial College, you can take the subway and stop at Beihai North station of Line 6. To the northwest of the station is our next stop, Prince Gong's Mansion, one of the most ornate and extravagant royal residences in Beijing. It was built in 1777 by imperial minister He Shen in the Qing Dynasty. Here visitors will be able to get an exposure to classic Siheyuan, or quadrangle courtyards. Occasionally you will come across Beijing drum performances in the Mansion.
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An afternoon in Prince Gong's Mansion marks the end of your royal visit. Our last stop on the second day is the Houhai Lake just east to the Mansion.
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Small food shops alongside the Lake always provide visitors with a taste of Beijing snacks such as sweet pea cake and soybean paste noodles. And that wraps up your second day.
(soundbite9, promo day3, male sound) Day 3: Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying, Liulichang Antique Street and Souvenirs.
The third day marks your experience of civilian culture in Beijing and on top of the list are two hutongs, or alleyways.
Nanluoguxiang is the first one. Getting out of Nanluoguxiang Station on Line 6, you'll find yourself standing just at the entrance of the hutong. Originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, Nanluoguxiang is arguably the most ancient hutong in Beijing. The narrow alleyway now packs so much exciting discoveries including boutique shops, food stands, bookstores and more.
Now after a morning walk through Nanluoguxiang, you will probably need to sit down for a decent lunch. In that case, you are suggested to head north for few blocks where the restaurants in Wudaoying hutong will treat you well. Compared with Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying has a refreshing variety of businesses, including a tanning studio, clothing shops, home décor shops, specialty stores, western style restaurants and bars. Shopkeepers are engaging but not pushy, like this one who is showing how to appreciate wine.
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The last stop of your 72 hour adventure is Liulichang Antique Street where you could get a glimpse of the city's civilian art and market. Take Line 2 from Wudaoying and get off at Hepingmen Station and there you will find this area known for its business of traditional craftwork, artistry and antiques. Here's one selling Chinese calligraphy and paintings.
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Apart from soaking up the cultural atmosphere in the area, this final stop is also a good place to pick and choose your Beijing souvenirs.
And with that, you have just gone through the gist of royal and civilian Beijing in all wrapped up in 72 hours. We wish you a pleasant stay!
