China
Beijing: the cradle of Chinese history
by Daniel Smajovits
For millennia, China has captured the hearts and minds of the world. Since opening up her doors to tourists in the late 1970’s, more than one billion people have flocked to explore its unique culture and history.
Any first-time traveler to China should start in Beijing, where the country’s rich history is on full display. To fully appreciate the city, Beijing is best explored not only on foot, but with the help of a local.
On our visit to Beijing, we spent two days with Leo Kui, who operates a number of tours in Beijing and the surrounding areas. In his mid 30’s, Leo’s passion is ensuring that visitors leave China with a genuine love for his country and his people. Over the course of two wonderful days, Leo brought life into the century’s old landmarks through his personal stories of growing up in one of the world’s most complex societies. Unlike on larger group tours, Leo limits the number of guests to ensure that he builds a relationship with each and every person, allowing for candid and open conversations that allow you to truly appreciate life in China.
Some of the country’s most famous landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Tian’amen Square and the Temple of Heaven are all within walking distance of each other and navigating throngs of tourists becomes part of the fun and excitement. While there is a perfect photo op at every corner, Leo ensures to meticulously explain the significance of these places to his culture and people and naturally, the role they still play in China today.
With so much to see and do in Beijing, ensure to spend at least one afternoon and evening, either on your own or with a local, walking through the city’s hutongs, or alleyways, some of which remain unchanged since the Ming Dynasty. Today, the remaining hutongs are protected by the government, ensuring that this part of Chinese culture remains intact. Within the winding hutongs around Beijing, you will come across a myriad of restaurants, both for tourists and locals alike, shops and even hotels and guest houses. Yet, locals still live and work in these areas, ensuring their authenticity and critical role in Chinese society.
Although you can spend days within Beijing city limits immersing yourself in the culture, dedicate a full day to visiting the Great Wall of China, which lies a touch more than 100 kilometres outside the city. With many different access points and ways to visit, we decided to once again spend the day with Leo, ensuring that we would be able to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It only takes a few minutes of climbing to realize the massive engineering marvel that is the Great Wall. Built over the course of many dynasties, our full-day tour provided two unique perspectives on the wall: the ancient and the restored. Starting at the Gubeikou portion of the wall, visitors can gaze and climb through the ancient fortifications. Having never been reconstructed, this portion of the wall is a bit difficult to access, but provides visitors with a unique perspective on this mighty barrier. Following a delicious and traditional lunch came the highlight of the day: the restored Jinshanling section of the wall. Timing it perfectly, Leo ensured our arrival came just prior to sunset. With a glass of wine or baijiu, a traditional Chinese liquor in hand, your group is alone, basking in the sunset and the serenity of this wonder of the world.
