The scorching 40 degrees of summer heat in China did not stop us from going to the Great Wall. We went through great lengths to reach there though. We had a 5-hour early train journey to travel from Shanghai to Beijing where the Great Wall is. This is about 800 miles. We arrived at Xiyuan Hotel shortly after lunch time.
After few minutes of shifting gears we wandered around Beijing's historical districts: The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing. The three spots were more than enough to keep us occupied until we retired at our Beijing Hotel.
Forbidden City An event was taking place while we were there so we did not have a chance to look inside. Its facade however, gave us a glimpse of this historical site. The Forbidden City is China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings, and the largest palace complex in the world. It was named "Forbidden City" because it was off limits for 500 years. It is also known as the Palace Museum.
Tiananmen Square
It's the sixth largest city square in the world (and the fourth largest in China [Dec. 2015]), at 440,000 square meters, and can hold about one million people for public celebrations or gatherings. The square holds the following: Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall.
Wangfujing District
This is a lively and large pedestrian shopping street that hosts a beehive of activity, especially during the warm months when sidewalk cafes flourish. “Wangfujing” literally means “prince residence well”. There used to live 10 princes in these areas in Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), hence the street name “Wangfu Street”. Later in Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911), a sweet water well was dug here, then the street was renamed “Wangfujing”, which has been kept till today (Source: Tour Beijing). It is a great scenery for pictures.
Great Wall
The next morning was another interesting piece as we headed on our self-guided expedition to the Wall. Armed with logistics how-to guides, rail maps, printed Chinese words for buying train tickets, we were at the train station at 6:00 AM to get into the 8:00 AM train to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. There are different sections of the Great Wall; most are fully-restored and are accessible to tourists while others are considerably dangerous to go to. We chose the Badaling section of the wall since it is the most well-known and closest to Beijing, about 70 km northwest of Beijing with travel time of only 2 hours. It is the earliest section to open to tourists and has complete facilities including cable cars, souvenir shops and restaurants.
In the sea of tourists, we were the first ones in the queue. Excitingly confident that we can pick the best seats on the train. Alas, the boarding gates opened! Our excitement turned into massive panic as everyone behind us, foreign and locals alike, went for a mad rush to the train, a kilometre away from where we were standing.
We started to run, like running for our lives. We finally reached the train and everyone started laughing. There was absolutely no need to run :) as there were plenty of empty seats! It was like we ran because we needed to blend in with the crowd. And so on to another 2-hour journey. One of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, the Great Wall was continuously built from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD as the great military defence project of successive Chinese Empires. The Great Wall Facts (Sources: China Highlights and TravelChinaGuide)
Great Wall of China in our Bucket List: Checked!
We walked through the North and South sections of the Wall for about 2 hours, visited shops and museum and had souvenir photos taken. We flew back to Shanghai on the same day.
Alipay & Taobao
China may not have the best Internet access in the world (it is fire-walled) and some sites (like Facebook) are blocked. But from what I've seen, their Internet speed was impressive for E-commerce (such as mobile payments, online shopping, etc.). My work colleagues took me to a restaurant and when we asked for the bill, the server handed us a slip of paper with a QR code printed on it. We opened the scanner and paid via the Alipay apps. Taobao is a magic word in China. This is a Chinese online shopping website like eBay and Amazon that is operated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang by Alibaba Group. Though I have not used it for shopping, they said that you can order and have it delivered on the same day. Hospitality at its Best Though I'm also an Asian, I still braced myself for a possible element of cultural shock. It helped that I have friends at work who made the transition easier for me. I guess it's the universal law of nature. People will be friendly to you if you show genuine interest in other people and their culture. Coming back from China, my luggage was filled with moon cakes, gifts and souvenirs. Our friends showed us Chinese hospitality at its very best. Remedy for Language Barrier Although many Chinese do not speak English and communication seem difficult, do not get frustrated. When posed with situations that are new to you, use them as opportunities to harness your strengths and develop new skills. Eventually, you will manage and walk through them with flying colors. In restaurants, I looked at the pictures and got some help from other diners when placing orders. When doing grocery shopping, I listed items with their Chinese names. I always made it a point to bring my hotel's business card in Chinese to show to taxi drivers in case I get lost. I once went to a bank to buy Yuan (Chinese Currency) without uttering a word. I just handed a paper printed with English & Chinese: "I want to change my 100 Euro to Chinese Yuan. Thank you." "我想把我的100欧元换成人民币。 谢谢。" It worked ... thanks to Google Translate! My stay in China was not perfect at all. There were days that pollution was very bad and masks were needed. Joey had an allergic reaction to food. Yet still, it was a fantastic experience all throughout. Never a dull moment. Gained a lot of friends, and weight :). Picked up Chinese words and had a better understanding of their culture. In The Press Published in Roots & Wings Magazine (Stockholm, Sweden) Winter 2018 Issue, Pages 28 to 33 Check the PDF File here.
Published in Zafigo.com (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
September 18, 2018 A Filipino Expat in China View my other Travel Tales here: Lorna Real-Del Rosario on Zafigo
October being a special month, it is always never too late for a last hurrah before the glitz and glamour of winter darkness engulfs us. We skipped the planning, packed our bags and went! Where to? London! You can never go wrong with London. It's only around the corner but it has everything on offer. Let us take you there!
The Big Ben When I was in USA for a work assignment in 2001, I frequented a shop named "Dollar Tree". Unknowingly, in one of my visits, I bought a metal-craft bronze Big Ben souvenir. After 13 years of owning it, I finally got to see the gigantic Big Ben in flesh! It was love at first sight; we did not seem to get enough of it. During our stay in London, we always ended up walking near the Big Ben, night and day. The Big Ben is one of London’s most resounding landmarks. You'll know that you have truly arrived in London when you see the Big Ben. It was featured in British films such as “Bridget Jones’s Diary”, “Notting Hill” and “Love Actually”. The Big Ben was the name originally given to the largest of the clock tower’s bells. Now, it's named as the Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
Big Ben Facts (Source: Visit London)
Houses of Parliament Next to the Big Ben is the Palace of Westminster, the official name of the Houses of Parliament. This is because it was the royal palace before the king moved to Whitehall Palace in 1529. Now the palace is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Buckingham Palace
We explored the iconic London Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. We visited early morning to skip the crowds. Obviously, everyone had the same plan and it was already busy when we arrived at 8:00 AM. With its elegantly-designed facade, the palace, which is perhaps the city’s most famous sight is truly "fit for a Queen". Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. It is used for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen. Queen Elizabeth II to Queen Victoria: How are they related? (Source: ThoughtCo) 1. Elizabeth's father was George VI. 2. George VI's father was George V, Elizabeth's grandfather. 3. George V's father was Edward VII, Elizabeth's great grandfather. 4. Edward VII's mother was Queen Victoria, Elizabeth's great great grandmother.
Buckingham Palace Facts (Source: Royal UK)
London Bridge vs. Tower Bridge
As we hopped on a London Night Bus Tour, we were beaming in anticipation. The bus will pass over London Bridge. We know by heart the nursery rhyme "London Bridge is falling down ..." and always consider London Bridge as a symbol of London. A mistake made over the world, confusing London Bridge and Tower Bridge. So, which one is which?
London Bridge – This is really just an ordinary bridge, sang in a song over and over as we were growing up.
Tower Bridge – Tower Bridge is clearly a more beautiful and stunning bridge than London Bridge. When you see the Tower Bridge, London always comes to mind. We walked over London Bridge to get a good view of the Tower Bridge.
We walked over London Bridge to get a good view of the Tower Bridge.
Tower of London A short walk from the Tower Bridge is the Tower of London which has served as a fortress, palace, and prison. The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England.
We were there during the commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of World War I. The area was installed with ceramic poppies.
London Eye
Things We Didn't Know About The London Eye (Source: www.EF.com)
Chinatown
Asian food is comfort food for us. And Chinatown in London certainly has something to help us hit the spot. Luckily, Chinatown is a very popular neighborhood and it is very easy to get to. Get off at Leicester Square Tube station, walk for 3 minutes following the signs and you'll be on for a treat. We grabbed some siopao, dumplings, noodles and duck dishes for our dinner.
London Borough Market
After strolling the banks of River Thames, we headed to this market for lunch. This is by far one of the best markets we've ever visited. A foodie haven with lots of stalls selling hot food, fruits & vegetables, olives, cheeses, meats, chocolates, coffees, breads and so much more. We walked around tasting a variety of things before deciding what we would buy. We made it a point not to eat before going!
The Market is located next to London Bridge station. If you're using the Tube, check the signs when choosing an exit.
Natural History Museum
If you saw the movie Night at the Museum filmed in New York, you may remember Sue (the T-Rex). But did you know that Sue is also in the Natural History Museum in London? The 3rd installment of the movie Night at the Museum - Secret of the Tomb was filmed here. Since we had few hours to spare, we stopped by and snapped some photos.
On the outside, the museum with its Gothic and Romanesque-style architecture looked like a church. In a way, it's a cathedral, but of nature. There was a massive stretch of queue, but it moved so quick that 15 minutes later we were in. We were greeted by crowds especially near the dinosaur section where Sue is the main attraction. There were plenty of things to see, souvenir shops and restaurants.
The Admiralty Arch
This marks one end of The Mall. Elegantly and beautifully-crafted, King Edward VII dedicated the structure to his mother Queen Victoria. It is not just a passage way; it holds office spaces, residences, and a soon to open five-star hotel. We walked through the arch from Buckingham Palace. A Latin inscription pays tribute to Queen Victoria where it says "ANNO DECIMO EDWARDI SEPTIMI REGIS VICTORIÆ REGINÆ CIVES GRATISSIMI MDCCCCX", which can be translated as "In the tenth year of the reign of King Edward VII, to Queen Victoria from a grateful nation, 1910".
Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Abbey The Abbey is an example of England’s ecclesiastic architecture; a feel of being taken back to medieval Europe. This Anglican Church is the heart and soul of Great Britain's spiritual life. It has played host to 26 royal weddings and 38 coronations and the final resting place for hundreds of Great Britain's legendary figures.
Westminster Cathedral
We attended an early Sunday morning mass at this Cathedral. Not to be confused with the more famous Westminster Abbey, the Westminster Cathedral is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain. Its full formal name is the Cathedral Church of Westminster. The Cathedral was dedicated to The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to his Blessed Mother, his Foster Father St Joseph and St Peter, his Vicar. The Cathedral with Byzantium architecture might lead you to think you were in Venice.
West End Theater Land
A theater lover? Welcome to London's WestEnd! From Miss Saigon, Mama Mia, Lion King, Wicked, Annie, Matilda ... name it, London has it! If you're looking to book last-minute London theater tickets, go to the stalls in Leicester Square. They offer half-price and discounted theater tickets on the day of the show.
The Gherkin
30 St Mary Axe is a skyscraper in London's primary financial district, the City of London. Much of the building is used for offices and residences. It is informally known as The Gherkin since it resembles a pickled cucumber in the center of London’s skyline. More information: 13 things you didn't know about the Gherkin.
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the world’s most famous stages. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, the hall hosts more than 360 events a year, including classical music, jazz, world music, circus, rock, pop, opera, dance, comedy and tennis. The Hall was originally supposed to have been called the Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, but the name was changed to the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences by Queen Victoria upon laying the Hall's foundation stone in 1867, in memory of her husband consort, Prince Albert who had died six years earlier.
10 Downing Street
Say "Hello" to Prime Minister David Cameron (now Theresa May). 10 Downing Street in London has one of the most photographed front doors in Britain. The famous black door, made with a bomb-proof metal and coated with a high-gloss paint is said to only open from the inside. The brass letterbox (3) is engraved with 'First Lord of the Treasury'. The 'Second Lord of the Treasury' is the Chancellor next door at No.11. Since 1735, it has been both home and office to the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Important announcements have been made to the nation from here. Some of the most famous British political leaders have lived and worked in Number 10, including Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.
Paint them Red!
Q1. Can I still find a red telephone box? A1. Sure, can! We spotted one on the other side of the river from the County Hall. It's near the Westminster Bridge, coming away from the Big Ben.
Q2. And the red double-decker bus ride?
A2. It was sweet!
D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Tips
If you are planning a trip to London, you may find these tips helpful:
Musings London with its openness and diverse culture is truly a heaven of impressive landmarks. I am always fascinated by stories about Kings & Queens, their palaces & castles; Prince & Princess and their happy-ever-afters. London and its Royal Family is the closest thing to my fairy tales. I would not mind going back to this beautiful city again in the future.
In The Press
Published in Travel Plus Magazine (Manila, Philippines) Issue 1 (Year 2018), Volume 9 Series 1 https://www.facebook.com/travelplusmagazine/ Published in Roots & Wings Magazine (Stockholm, Sweden) July 2018 Issue, Pages 25 to 33 http://www.rawmags.com/ |
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About MeI am a software engineer based in Ireland; a qualified accountant who made a 360-degree career shift to Information Technology during the Y2K era. Joey (my husband) and I have big appetites for travelling, learning new cultures, and a passion for experiencing varied cuisines. Follow us as we chronicle life's little perks! |