I've been seeing and reading a lot about China lately, and I thought I'd share some interesting stuff that I've learned.
1. Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China. In my generation, this was one of the most notorious locations in the world. Circa, May 1989, protests; mostly students, became a daily event in the square. Most sources agree that the protests started with the death of Hu Yaobang, a progressive Chinese Communist Party General Secretary. Over the course of a few weeks, things festered, coming to a head on or about June, 4th. The government deployed troops to the square where many people protesting died. The numbers were never verified. Hundreds to thousands of people died starting on that date.
Fortunately, things have both changed and remained the same in Beijing, and although it's still monitored by guards today, the square is open to the public and is still the largest public square in the world. You should make a reservation to enter and bring your passport for security. Viator and other tour companies can help you arrange a visit.
While there you can visit the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and Monument to People's Heroes, and Quianmen Gate. It's also adjacent to the Forbidden City. You can reach the square easily by subway and there is no charge to enter the square itself. Other attractions on site may charge an entry fee. You should always have reservations for attractions in this area.
If in Beijing, which is more and more uncommon all the time, but still possible if you're adventurous, this is a historic site not to be missed.
https://www.viator.com/Beijing-attractions/Tiananmen-Square-Tiananmen-Guangchang/d321-a164
https://www.getyourguide.com/tiananmen-square-l4269/viewing-points-tc238/
https://wildgreatwall.com/make-reservation-tiananmen-square/
https://www.history.com/topics/asian-history/tiananmen-square
2. The Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China. This is another great historic site in the city. Not far from the Forbidden City, this is a Taoist Temple that was originally designed to use to be thankful for a successful harvest. Sacrifices were done at the site for the God of Heaven, although not anymore. Visitors can visit the grounds, but need a reservation and a ticket ranging from $4 to $7 to enter the building.
Once again, this site can be visited easily by subway and is open during daytime hours. It's beautiful, ancient, and a great place to take photos. So, once again, if in Beijing; add this stop to your itinerary.
https://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/attraction/temple-of-heaven.htm
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d311534-Reviews-Temple_of_Heaven-Beijing.html
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/881/
https://www.historyhit.com/locations/temple-of-heaven/
3. Pipe Street, Hutongs of Beijing, China. Known as Yandaixie Street, it is a 232 meter Hutong. A Hutong is a narrow alleyway or street. That being said, it's a beautiful part of the old town of Beijing. Historically, there were a lot of tobacco shops and places to smoke and buy pipes on the oldest business street in the capital. Today, its got great architecture and old world charm.
Today, it's a great place to go shopping. It's geared for tourists, so you'll find a lot of souvenir type shopping and great local food. It's a must see if you're in Beijing, and it's a lot of history. Who knows? You might even get to buy some tobacco and a pipe.
https://www.chinadiscovery.com/beijing/yandaixie-street.html
https://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/article/47OOqDfLDWN
https://www.viator.com/en-GB/Beijing-attractions/Yandai-Byway/d321-a18694
https://ruqintravel.com/china-destination-guides/yandai-xiejie-street/
https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/night-view-of-yandai-byway
4. What is Alipay and how do I use it? There's a lot of different ways to pay when traveling, and Alipay is the most popular Chinese way to pay, or tap if you choose. Alipay is an app and while in China, it's your best way to tap, pay and go. Your American and most other credit cards won't work in China, and Alipay is way more convenient than cash in today's economy.
There have been rumors about the Chinese stealing your personal information, but I hear that about everything Chinese, and I've never encountered a problem. Neither has anyone I've ever known who's traveled to China. Decide for yourself. If you're that paranoid about it, maybe you shouldn't be traveling in China in the first place.
But, you can download the app while in the country and load it and use it for just about anything. You can pay for merchandise, subways, trains, food, services like Uber and on and on. Just a great way to navigate conveniently in China.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eg.android.AlipayGphone&hl=en_US
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alipay-simplify-your-life/id333206289
https://www.alipayplus.com/pay-in-the-chinese-mainland
https://wise.com/us/blog/what-is-alipay
https://www.registrationchina.com/articles/how-to-use-alipay-app-to-help-foreigner-visiting-china/
5. Ride the HSR throughout China. The HSR is High Speed Rail. China has one of the most extensive high speed rail networks in the world. You can go all over the country and it's a big one. You can buy business class and first class seating or just ride like a normal person. Also known as bullet trains, they started in Beijing and eventually oozed out all over the country, so the prices start at around $5 for a local trip to Tiananmen Square or so and go up from there. You can travel across the country for around $200 one way in regular seating on the right train at the right time.
Riding trains is one of my favorite pastimes. I love the scenery, the experience and the fact that I don't have to drive. I imagine that driving in China is anything from overly complicated to just plain impossible as a visitor, so riding a bullet train sounds like a great way to get out and move about the country.
https://wildchina.com/2023/11/chinas-trains-a-comprehensive-guide/
https://www.newsweek.com/china-high-speed-rail-miracle-1924185
https://www.statista.com/topics/7534/high-speed-rail-in-china/#statisticChapter
There you have it. Some random, but hopefully helpful information about visiting China. It's one of the most exotic locations that we as Americans may visit someday, and I find it fascinating. Always remember, the people of a country are not the politics of their country. Most people are fabulous and you'll be happy that you took the chance to go to a country that we as Americans are normally warned about. Travel is education, and education knows no boundaries and should know no fear. I know people who have traveled in China just a few years ago, and they had an exceedingly memorable trip and made friends that they're still in touch with today.
Remember, you only have one life to live and there's a whole world out there to see. Travel to learn. Travel to enjoy the wonder of it all. Travel for the experience and enjoy!
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