Going Places – Beijing

Filed under: Travel & Health | Leave a Comment

(Continued)

Although Communist China is officially non-religious, religion still plays a role in many people’s lives here. Daoism originated in China, but Confucianism, Buddhism and, to a lesser extent, Islam and Christianity are also part of China’s spiritual heritage.

Buddhism became most influential in China during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907). But even long before that period, Buddhist temples were built in different parts of the country. Beijing’s oldest Buddhist shrine is located in the Mentougou District on Tanzheshan Hill, about an hour drive from the city. The Tanzhesi temple, first built in 265, attracts worshippers and tourists alike for its magnificent art and tranquil scenery.

On our last day, we finally got to see Beijing’s most recent architectural wonder, the Olympic Park. The Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube hall have quickly become internationally recognizable icons. The innovatively designed stadium housed many of the main events of the Olympic games of 2008. Although it seats more than 90,000 people, the structure appears to be almost delicate rather than overpowering, which may also be due to the incredible vastness of its surroundings. Visitors still flock in large numbers from all over China to the site of the first Olympics in the country’s history, an event that endures as a moment of great national pride.

Contemporary Beijing is undergoing some of the most significant architectural changes in the city’s history. Many of the world’s most renowned architects and engineers are lining up to get in on the building boom. The city districts of Dongcheng and Chaoyang are Beijing’s new business- and entertainment hub and home to many world-class hotels and restaurants. Wangfujing is the first pedestrians-only shopping boulevard. All the top designers of luxury goods have set up shop here to ensure that the affluent from near and far feel right at home.

But in the midst of all the brand new glitter, there are still glimpses of old traditions and lifestyles to be had. Up and coming Beijingers may be in love with Mercedes, Audi and BMW, but they still enjoy shopping at their neighborhood street food market. The Dong’anmen Night Market is a must-see place to experience authentic Chinese culinary culture Beijing-style. If you’ve never tried scorpions, locust or spiders on a stick, here is your chance.

No matter how much time you have to spend, you cannot hope to explore Beijing within a few days or even weeks for that matter. Our guide did his utmost to show us the most important sites, but to understand anything about the city and its people, we would have had to linger at each place much longer.

Related Articles:

Leave a Comment