boris & alyssa in Beijing

Changes are afoot in China. Beijing, one of the world’s most populated cities, is cleaning up its act! According to an article today in the Agence France-Presse, “More than a million cars will be taken off the streets of China’s capital for four days this month, state media said Thursday, amid mounting concern over air pollution during next year’s Beijing Olympics. Air quality will be monitored during the four days…in a possible test-drive of traffic-reduction measures for the Games.”

Improvements to the city will be an added bonus to an already incredible travel destination. Beijing is known for its numerous historic sites (not the least of which is the famous Great Wall), its ancient architecture, city parks, museums, vibrant nightlife, delicious and inexpensive cuisine, and cultural offerings galore.

Realtravelers boris & alyssa found a lot to do in Beijing when they spent five days there last month. Here’s an excerpt from their travel blog:

“Despite being congested, Beijing has some lovely public spaces where people can get away from the traffic, if not the hustle and bustle. There are several lakes - one we visited at night is called Houhai and its shores are lined with restaurants and bars. People swim, fish, and paddle boat there. My favorite green space was the Temple of Heaven - it was once used on only 2 days a year, when the emperor would go there to pray for good harvest or to his ancestors. Now locals can pay a yearly fee and go there regularly - we saw young people playing badminton and old folks ballroom dancing.

Because of our illiteracy, we took a few guided tours to see the sites - the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the hutongs (or alleys) where many people live in tiny apartments surrounding a courtyard.”

And, like most travelers, they had to experience Beijing’s cuisine:

“If you know us at all, by now you’re wondering, what about the FOOD?!?” Excellent and cheap. Our first day, we sampled food from a street market - unidentifiable meat on sticks, tofu smothered in spicy sauce, fruits skewered then dipped in a vat of boiling syrup, which hardens so that it shatters in lovely sweetness when you bite it.” (more…)

You’ll find some very detailed cuisine descriptions in their travel blog, where you can also follow along as they tour Russia, Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, and more.

To plan your own trip to Beijing, visit:

Beijing Travel Guide
China Travel Blogs
Top 10 Travel Tips for Beijing
China Tourist Map