10 Days in China

Seventeen hour flight, five people, two airports, around one dozen sites, and one over night on a train is the perfect combination for a great trip. China is a country with sites and activities awaiting all. From shopping to hiking to flat out sight seeing something waits for you. You can find your inner peace at a tea garden or the latest Louis Vuitton purse at one of the many markets.

Remnants of history from long before imagined combined with the country embracing its growing business atmosphere, makes for a country with tons of travel potential. China is a country where the unexpected waits.

Quick Tips:

Very few Chinese citizens speak English, so I would suggest either learning Chinese (possibly the hardest language to learn) or finding a great English/Chinese speaking friend to follow your every move. I would not classify Beijing as the easiest city to navigate, or even figure out if you are looking at a restaurant or a bike shop. The language barrier creates a situation where you can’t pick apart the words and gain a slight understanding of meaning.

When packing your bags I would suggest taking hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and bug spray. I wouldn’t drink the water or ask for ice. Don’t ask for a fork either, just suck it up and learn how to use the chopsticks or your hands. Don’t be surprised when there isn’t a toilet in the public bathrooms. Learn to squat before you leave, this may take some practice!

Best Way To Get Around:

To get around the city I would employ a personal driver or ride in a taxi. Public transportation is the equivalent of a shaky bus, lots of people and no air-conditioner. Driving oneself is not an option. Beijing traffic is comparable to letting a lot of new drivers out on the most crowded American road. It is not uncommon for cars to have fender benders while sitting in traffic. Vehicles are not respected and are simply something to get you where you are going. Bicycles and motorcycles are also very popular ways of transportation and one which I would try. Expect traffic to become a problem at certain times of the day. Leave in plenty of time to arrive at your destination.

The Great Wall of China: one of the few sites visible from space it spans over 3,000 miles. The Great Wall is a must see while visiting any part of China. The wall may have once served as a barrier, but it now serves as a location where all cultures can mingle.

Close to Beijing many locations of the wall are open to tourists. These areas include Badaling, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Simatai, and Jinshanling. All of these areas have their beauties and faults. The first two mentioned areas have undergone reconstruction so there are large crowds. The other areas may be physically strenuous, but with fewer tourists and vendors.

Mutianyu and Badaling both offer cable cars to the top of the wall. This option allows those not in physical climbing condition to access the wall.

Mutianyu was a great choice for our family to visit. A short hour drive from Beijing, you see an aspect of Chinese highway travel that may shock many visitors. This trip also allows you to see the outer city and experience how others might live.

When you first arrive at the Great Wall it is nice to know that you have escaped the hustle and bustle of the city, just to be encountered with the hustle and bustle of any major attraction. Not only are there street vendors of all types, but a black bear attraction. The Chinese government brought in black bears for a zoo type setting to attract tourists. As if the wall isn't enough of an attraction. If you must buy something from the vendors and the bottom of the wall I would suggest a cheap ice-cream to discount the walk ahead of you.

Buying tickets at the bottom of the wall is definitely the way to go, this will save time and hassle at the top. While buying tickets, go ahead and splurge on the cable car ride to the top and back. This will be an experience like no other and will save your feet some aching.

The cable car itself is quite interesting and leaves you with a great view of the wall and surround country. Be ready to jump on the cable car while it swings by, or try to convince the young Chinese boy to help you by slowing the car down. No worries though, they really don't go that fast.

When you get to the top of the wall make your way past the man taking pictures with a donkey and practice your crowd dancing walk. Find a quiet spot, possibly a turret or rock unfound by many tourists, and just take in the beauty around you. Be prepared for a long walk, people wanting to take pictures, hoards of tourist and vendors, and the most amazing thing your eyes may ever behold. To remember your experience I would suggest buying a hand painted picture of the wall for the equivalent of around $3 instead of the mass produced shirts and key chains.

A great way to see China and the way citizens actually live is to take a Hutong tour by rickshaw. A rickshaw is a form of a pedicab that is drove by a local resident. The contraption is basically a bicycle with a cart on the back of it. The trailer type cart holds two people and has a cover. The drivers of the rickshaw may surprise you with their power and navigation ability. Our driver was a young 15-year-old boy, but did a great job hauling us around and navigating the busy streets and lanes. On a rickshaw tour expect close calls with other people on the streets and the occasional curb check. At times on our tour we could have literally reached out and touched other vehicles on the street.

While on the rickshaw the tourist gets the chance to kick back and enjoy not walking for a few minutes. The rickshaw tour gives insight to the daily life of the Chinese. While on the rickshaw we saw people hauling a wide variety of things on their bike trailers. These included things ranging from linens to 5 gallon water jugs. You really see how and why this form of transportation is the major source of transportation in Beijing.

Many rickshaw tours include tours of hutongs, drum and bell tours, possible tea gardens, and a ride over lake Shishahai lake (read other journals for more information). Depending on which company you use for the tour entrance fees may also be included to all of these places. I would suggest this tour for everyone. This is a great, low stress way to enjoy the culture of China.

If you are unable to reserve a tour from your hotel you can reserve a tour with the individual rickshaw driver on location. However, I would suggest reserving an organized tour before leaving.

A great company to use is Beijing Connectwest Information Consulting Service Corp. You can reach them at
Add: No.3 Building 12 Fangyuan Li Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: 86-10-64334033, 84569637
Fax: 86-10-64382877, US Fax: 1-760-4656711

or visit http://www.sinohotelguide.com/travel/beijing/hutong.html

This hutong tour costs $23 for a half day trip and includes the rickshaw, hutong tour, bell and drum tower, and entrance into the mansion and garden of Prince Gong of the Qing Dynasty.

After experiencing the Chinese side of China, kick back and enjoy an experience unaffordable for most Chinese. The treatment that you will receive in this spa is affordable for the American college student, while offering the luxury that one can only dream about. A visit to the Oriental Taipan Massage and Spa was an unforgettable and unusual Chinese experience. This spa is known across China as a reputable, affordable, and possibly 'the best' in the country.

All staff members at the Taipan spas go through extensive and continuous training to make them the best. The spa is decorated in traditional Asian decor, and offers complimentary drinks and snacks. I would suggest either the watermelon or the kiwi juice, since these are beverages not considered normal by many.

When you enter the front door of the spa you step off the busy streets of Beijing into an inviting oasis of peace. A wide staircase leads you up to where you massage specialist awaits. You are led down a short hallway filled with a calming ambience. When you go in large groups you can choose an intimate setting or a group setting. My mother and I chose to be together while the other four travelling with us opted for one group room. My mom and I were first given spa shoes to wear while in the spa and then led to our room. Our young specialist sat us down, placed our feet in a warm herbal bath, laid a warm towel across our legs and a placed a warm beaded sack on our shoulders. We had opted for the Foot Reflexology treatment which includes the hot herbal bath, a neck and shoulder massage to relieve tension and the use of an ancient technique which focuses on pressure points of the feet. This therapy lasted 90 minutes and was only RMB138. Our specialists were very friendly and great at their job. Not only did they make us feel welcome with conversation but created a relaxing environment. Sharing the private room with my mom was definitely the way to go. This allowed for mother and daughter bonding in a peaceful environment, while we could still giggle at our family next door making noises that should have been X-rated.

The Taipan Spa and Massage offers services ranging from RMB48 to RMB268. These include things such as ear candling, Chinese style pedicure, manicure, hot stone aromatherapy, full body massage, and Thai aromatic oil massage. Even if you only have half an hour, drop in the spa for a 20 minute head or hand massage, and if you have the luxury of a full day go for the two hour hot stone aromatherapy.

There are four shops in Beijing: The Winterless, Lido, International Club, and Chaoyang. We visited the Lido shop. The Lido shop is known for its simplicity and luxury. While visiting any of these locations strike up conversations with government officials, local business owners, and movie stars.

For more information on this spa visit www.taipan.com.cn or call 64376299.