Beijing aka: 北京

I have been there 5 times so far. Beijing is seriously polluted, people there speak mandarin with a fairly funny accent, I can’t understand them sometimes. Great Wall and Forbidden city are the only 2 places worth trying!

The wife and I went here in Feb ‘06 as part of a tour group and had a lot of fun. Want to go back sometime after the Olympics.

Beijing in recent times have changed much from the old Beijing. There are construction projects everywhere and the night life is bustling with brightly lit shops and teenagers looking for the next big thing. But of course, the city on the whole retains the unmistakable aura of an ancient Chinese city. There are quite a few palace remains and tombs around, which might open the eyes of some people with very dim understanding of the magnitudes of these ancient civilizations. The newer constructions and people in rush hour (who mostly drive around in cars now) might also help some people understand the changes that are taking place in the present.

All in all, I found ancient sites merely interesting, while the modern backdrop and the people living in it provided much fascination and curiosity for me. I think the place is worth visiting at least once, if for the sake of understanding of international markets and their truths and facades.

Perhaps not by coincidence, the Greek word Pangaea, meaning “all lands,” is the name historians have given to planet Earth before its continental drift 200 millions years ago, when the world was one.

Similarly named Panjiayuan, Beijing’s largest antiques fair, can likewise be described as a place where every province in the People’s Republic have come together to form their own supercontinent-like market place. Indeed, one might spend years journeying across China to uncover the same treasures that can be had in a day at Panjiayuan.

Here, spanning landscapes of antiquated wares, art, precious stones and revolutionary memorabilia meet precipitous mountains of books, furniture, ceremonial dress and sundry jewelry. One must finally traverse vast seas of dynastic china, heirlooms, national regalia and old coins before emerging dusty, exhausted and burdened with your finds.

Along the way you’ll have encountered traditional Han, the Uyghurs of Xinjiang and the nomadic Drokpas of Tibet, all selling their goods side by side with about fifty other ethnic minorities; the splendors of West China contrasting nicely with vestiges of Beijing.

Scores of international visitors from the Orient to the Americas to Europe peruse the eclectic bazaar to purchase relics that truly cannot be found anywhere else in the world. But the market is also teaming with spectators. Beijing elders who, not unlike moons orbiting a planet, crowd around every negotiation taking place, finding much amusement in watching waiguoren paying forty times more for a faux antique then what a local might pay for the real deal.

Such is life on planet Panjiayuan.

[Panjiayuan is located in Chongwen District off of Dongsanhuan Nanlu. Open Monday-Friday 8:30am – 6pm, and Saturday-Sunday 4:30am – 6:30pm.]

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Feel free to contact me with any questions about traveling in Beijing. Free and non-commercial! http://www.tomcarter.org

It was early Dec 2007 and bitterly cold. Must wear lots of coats and warm hats.

Got sick, felt rich, saw the seat of World power

Beijing’s menu
I chose Beijing because it is located in one of the most populated countries of the world and it is connected with food because the more people, the more food you need!
Beijing is the capital of China in the north of the Equator and in the east of Greenwich.
It is famous for its typical foods, which are lychees, citric fruit, sweet potato, sugar cane, peanut, pork meat and poultry, but the main one is rice, due to its big population and climate. Its population is around 14.930.00 people and its climate is cold in the winter, and in spring it is covered by yellow dust, which is brought by the wind from the Gobi desert. Because of it, rice grows in a big quantity and it also survives the bad climate.
We can conclude that since Beijing has around 14.930.00 inhabitants, it needs a big quantity of food, such as rice, to survive the bad climate. Because it grows in a big quantity, it is considered Beijing’s most typical food.
Barbara F.

I am Chinese, and I was born on the mainland in a city near Beijing. My dad’s side of the family mostly lives in Beijing.

I admit I’m ashamed for the country because of the terrible air pollution and noise pollution in Beijing, but this city is definitely a treasure for all the history it holds. The parks are beautiful…and would be better appreciated if not for all the visitors who crowd them.

That said, I am extremely proud that Beijing will finally get to show itself off to the world in 2008. It’s regrettable what the government had done to try to improve China’s image before the Games, but despite that, I believe Beijing is at least worth everyone’s consideration.

Crowded and pollutted. But it is a must for all those World Heritage Sites.

Beijing is a city unlike any other I have visited. Very friendly people, lots of soldiers in the street, lots of closed gates. you notice its not a democracy.