Experience Beijing

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.

Beijing is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People’s Republic of China. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911. As such it is rich in historical sites and important government institutions.

Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008. Much of the city was in upheaval as infrastructure was being frenetically constructed and sights were being renovated for the Games. Post-Olympics visitors can look forward to some modern additions to the city’s attractions, including the “Water Cube” and the “Bird’s Nest.”

The Forbidden City is the spot to appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Despite the transformation of the city around it, the Forbidden City remains mercifully relatively untouched.

Hutongs are Beijing’s ancient alleyways, where you can find traditional Beijing architecture. Rent a bicycle and traverse some of the remaining hutongs. Visit the Temple of Heaven early in the morning to see thousands of people starting the day with tai chi. Or see a Beijing opera at the Laoshe Tea House near Qianmen station. There are always short shows in the afternoon. Admission is free, but you should buy a cup of tea.

The Grand Hyatt Beijing is on East Chang An Avenue in the business, shopping, and tourist district, walking distance from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The hotel is part of the Beijing Oriental Plaza, China's largest commercial complex that includes eight office towers, four luxury apartment buildings, and a shopping mall.

This famed vegetarian joint has a different edge to it than many other types of vegetarian restaurants. Set in a comforting atmosphere with people who look like monks rather than servers, fresh fare is served at prices which suit its worth. Anything from fresh homegrown mushrooms to various forms of imitation meat, such as spare ribs, can be found here. Be warned however that along with meat, alcohol is also exempt from the menu.

Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world and is considered a symbol of the People's Republic of China. The square is surrounded by a cluster of massive buildings including Tiananmen Gate, The Forbidden City, the Great Hall of the People, The Monument of the People's Heroes and the Mao Ze Dong Mausoleum. Tiananmen attracts thousands of visitors every year from throughout China due to its political and historical significance. The square was recently renovated to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The Forbidden City, also known as the "Former Palace," was the imperial residence of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. The complex has 70 structures and more than 9000 rooms. It is surrounded by a high wall and encircled by a moat. Turned into a museum in the early 20th Century, it houses a great collection of fine treasures. The Nationalist Party took a large number of these treasures to Taiwan in 1949 but 900,000 relics remain. Behind the palace is a delightful royal garden.

Where Are You Going or Qu Nar in Mandarin, is a restaurant owned by a famous Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei. The interiors at Qu Nar are quite interesting with their only adornment being the projections on the walls. The cuisine is typically Northern Chinese and more like home cooked meals. Worth trying out are, "Baked Beef Dumplings With Spicy Vinegar Sauce", "Jinhua Ham", "steam-dried yellow croaker" and "Wild Mushroom Casserole in Broth". If you like veggies you can try the absolutely fantastic stir-fries. A good place to hangout to meet the arty types over delicious meals discussing the latest in art.

China's Great Wall stretches east-west for more than 5000 kilometers. Its origins can be traced to the 7th Century BCE, when independent kingdoms constructed separate walls to keep out marauding nomads. China's first emperor linked many of these during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE). It was renovated several times in later centuries. Built along the rolling ridges of steep mountains, it offers spectacular, even awe-inspiring views, and is surely one of humankind's greatest architectural achievements. For specific details on the Great Wall refer to Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai and Huanghuacheng.

This spot has a reputation for serving the best Beijing Duck. They say their poultry has less calories than other duck served in the city. There are other tasty items on the menu, like their acclaimed fried oysters in Szechuan Pepper-Salt. Check out their other location at the Nanxincang International Plaza.

Chinese Opera includes more than 300 theatrical forms, among which Beijing Opera is usually regarded as the crème de la crème. In many ways it is similar to ancient Greek theater with its combination of singing, dialogue, acrobatics and pantomime. The actors wear masks, and the performances are accompanied by loud and monotonous rhythms produced by percussion instruments. Local professional Beijing Opera singers give a variety of performances with well-balanced casts and a large repertoire.

Located 15 kilometers from central Beijing, this World Heritage Site is a popular tourist attraction. The Summer Palace is a breathtaking display of ancient art and architecture, lush royal gardens and amazing views. The Palace consists of numerous pavilions, towers, bridges and corridors and the gardens are some of the best preserved in China. First built in the Qing Dynasty in 1750 and known as the Garden of Clear Ripples, the Palace was almost completely destroyed in the war of 1860 and was restored in 1886.

Built in 1694, the Lama Temple (or Palace of Peace and Harmony) was the residence of Prince Yin Zhen, a son of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. After the prince came to the throne, half of the residence was used as an imperial palace and the other half was converted to a lamasery. It features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details. It houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas, as well as Tibetan-style murals.

Situated in the south of the city, this stunning temple park was built between 1406 and 1420. It was here that the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed, through an elaborate ritual, to the gods for good rains and good harvests. There are four main areas - the Round Altar, Echo Wall, the Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The distinctive outline of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a symbol of Beijing, and a whisper at any point on the echo wall can be heard anywhere else along its length.

Located near one of the Ri Tan Park lake, this cafe has an especially soothing feel with live music playing in the evenings. Free wi-fi is available allowing patrons to work peacefully on their projects while they sip excellent coffee drinks. Its beautiful setting has inspired the claim that it sports one of the best outdoor terraces in Beijing. The bar opens at 10a.

China's National Center for the Performing Arts, after six years of construction and $400 million, opened in June of 2007. Despite the great costs, the Chinese government says the Center is a not for profit venture, with seats sold at reasonable rates. The atmosphere is opulent, with silk-lined walls, state of the art acoustics and lighting, and a distinguished facade by French architect Paul Andreu. The complex has three performance halls (for theater, opera, and concerts) which collectively seat nearly 6000 people. The Center is located near the Forbidden City and the Great Hall of the People.

Originally built in the days of Kublai Khan, this park was used for recreation by the emperors of post-Kublai Khan dynasties. The famous White Pagoda standing above the Jade Islet creates an exotic scene. It memorializes a visit by the Dalai Lama in 1651. Other famous features include the Nine-Dragon Screen, built to ward off evil spirits, and the Five-Dragon Pavilion. The park is enjoyable in every season, especially in summer when graceful lotus blooms cover the surface of the lake.

The Rear Lakes are three lakes: the Front Lake (Shicha), the Rear Lake (Houhai) and the Jishui Lake. The area around the Houhai lake is known for its nightlife and the alleyways hiding trendy restaurants, bars and stores. Make sure you take a boat ride during the summer.

Not only an restaurant, but more than an art gallery, South Silk Road is a restaurant featuring works of art on the walls chosen by and sometimes even painted by the creator of South Silk Road, Fang Lijun. Although the art is fresh and tasteful, it is really the food that is the tastiest and the star of the show: modern Chinese food with spice is served up daily by costumed wait staff. Try the tree bark salad, some wild mushrooms, or Across the Bridge rice noodles and you won't be disappointed.

While the infamous Silk Alley on Jian Guo Men attracts hordes of foreign tourists and prices to match, this little clothing market is where Chinese go for their silken chinoiserie. Running parallel to Qian Men Avenue at its northern end, it consists of stalls selling pyjamas, underwear, cheong sams, bags, ties and all manner of Chinese and Western garments made in silk. A popular product is the mini decorative silk mobile phone holder -- available in a variety of patterns for around RMB15. Prices are generally lower than in Silk Alley.

This night market has to be seen to be believed. Eager crowds jostle alongside red and white stalls, responding to the calls of vendors or the sight of something delicious or extraordinary to behold. Food comes on skewers, in soup bowls, wrapped in tortillas, or even in half a pineapple, and includes familiar fried and roasted meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruit, alongside hearts, brains, stomach and other innards. Try baby sparrows, scorpions, crickets and silkworm grubs. Glutinous and sticky, savory and sweet rice dishes are filling and cheap. Vegetarians can eat corn, broccoli, mushrooms and noodles.

The Beijing Fen Xing Fencing Club offers private and group lessons for beginners, while enabling more experienced fencers to engage in swordplay. Some instructors speak English. The club is located in the basement floor of the China Sports Museum near the Asian Games Village. It is fully equipped with swords (foil, saber and epee), fencing gear and space for sparring and practice. There is a small refreshment stand for taking a break between bouts. The club also sells fencing gear for serious competitors.

The Grand Hyatt Beijing is on East Chang An Avenue in the business, shopping, and tourist district, walking distance from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The hotel is part of the Beijing Oriental Plaza, China's largest commercial complex that includes eight office towers, four luxury apartment buildings, and a shopping mall.

Beijing is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People’s Republic of China. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911. As such it is rich in historical sites and important government institutions.

Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008. Much of the city was in upheaval as infrastructure was being frenetically constructed and sights were being renovated for the Games. Post-Olympics visitors can look forward to some modern additions to the city’s attractions, including the “Water Cube” and the “Bird’s Nest.”

The Forbidden City is the spot to appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Despite the transformation of the city around it, the Forbidden City remains mercifully relatively untouched.

Hutongs are Beijing’s ancient alleyways, where you can find traditional Beijing architecture. Rent a bicycle and traverse some of the remaining hutongs. Visit the Temple of Heaven early in the morning to see thousands of people starting the day with tai chi. Or see a Beijing opera at the Laoshe Tea House near Qianmen station. There are always short shows in the afternoon. Admission is free, but you should buy a cup of tea.

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.