Tourism Tips

Adventure at Night

Aided by high-tech roaring and howling effects and illusory images of unknown spirits, the Yunxiugu Scenic Area at Huairou in north Beijing recently opened its daunting night tour area. Yunxiugu was first discovered by Hong Kong movie producers, astounded by nature's work in creating spectacular scenery. Many horror movies have been shot here. The scenic spot supplies special clothes, walking sticks, sneakers, lamps and speakers for tourists. A word of advice: Yunxiugu may not suitable for children or the faint-hearted.

Undiluted fun

Lakeview Waterpark at Yanqi Lake in Huairou provides water fun and excitement for the whole family. This new international water park includes a 3,000-square-meter wave pool with eight wave modes, a 140 meter-by-14 meter-high slide, a 16-meter-long by 18-meter-high tube slide, a double-person slide and colorful tube floating through waterfalls and trees, a tots play pool, spa and vortex pool.

The theme of the 100,000-square-meter park is the Caribbean with the buildings, the decoration and landscape showing the bright colors of a tropical environment. All the park equipment is the latest technology available from the United States, Canada and Europe.

The park was designed by Whitewater West Industries Ltd., which has designed over 100 theme parks including Disney Water Adventures in the United States.

Access to all water attractions, deck chairs, tables, umbrellas and picnic area is free and unlimited upon adult or child admission.

The Deep

Wandering in the clean sea water, passing through beautiful coral reefs, touching soft sand, listening to the susurrations of the breeze, savoring a swimming contest with a green turtle: with a little imagination, almost all of these things can be done right here in Beijing.

Suddenly, a four-meter shark turns toward you, jaws open wide!

No worries. It's just a friendly fish from the Blue Zoo Beijing. Beijing MTD Diving Club and the aquarium now offers diving courses.

Even if it's not real sea, there's definitely real fish. Professional coaching guarantees safety and enjoyment for your underwater experience, even if you can't swim at all. Price: RMB 380(adult), RMB 360 (Child under 12 years old)

Blue Zoo Beijing
Add: South gate of Worker's Stadium (gong ren ti yu chang) Tel: 6591-3397.

Great Wall Tour

CHINA SCITECH INTERNATIONAL TOURS
6611-4046 (8:30am - 6:00pm)
BP: 6670-6666 5888 (Bilingual, 24-hour)
Simatai Great Wall (Tues, Thurs, Sat)
Mutianyu Great Wall (Wed, Fri, Sun)
Badaling, Ming Tombs (Daily, RMB60)

Mentougou Offers Spectacular Views

Tired of Huairou? Been all over the north of Beijing? Mentougou in the west of the city might be the answer.

Beijing's oldest temple, Tanzhe, is here. The highest peak, Lingshan Mountain, is here. Jietai Temple (The Temple of the Altar) here has the largest altar for high-level monks.

Baihua Mountain is famous for its variety of animals and flowers. In recent years, the development of tourism facilities has been very rapid. Road conditions have improved a lot. A number of hotels at different levels provide enough choices.

How to go:
Public transportation: Bus 336, 326, 921 931 to Hetan stop of Mentougou District. There are buses to every tour spot. Bus 929 branch line, bus 931 at Pingguoyuan go directly to Lingshan Mountain and Tanzhe Temple. Tour bus No. 7 at Qianmen and Fuchengmen go to Jietai Temple (Temple of Altar) and Tanzhe Temple. Driving: Take Fushi Road  to enter Mentougou. Road 108 leads to Jietai Temple and Tanzhe Temple ). Road 109 leads to Longquan Hotel, Miaofeng Mountain, Pearl Lake, Baihua Mountain ) and Lingshan Mountain and hotels.

June highlights:
Rose Blossom Festival, huge areas of rose gardens, until June 18, Miaofeng Mountain area, Tel: 6188-2936
Cherry-picking, until June 18, Yintaogou Village, Miaofeng Mountain, Tel: 6188-1114

Modern Rickshaw Boy
Ten tourist rickshaws opened for business at Dashilan, Beijing's model street ,highlighting Beijing's traditional folklore culture and unemployment. Ten laid-off workers from state enterprises became modern rickshaw boys by taking this new job. Their first appearance drew huge crowds, including some old grandfathers who corrected their style. Dashilan is packed with Beijing's famous century-old stores, the most famous being the Tongrentang Drug Store, Ruifuxiang Silk Store and Neiliansheng Shoe Store. To revive old Beijing culture and protect these relics, it was turned into the first walking street of Beijing last year.

Lecture Hall Opens

The Imperial College (guo zi jian, currently the Capital Library) near the Yonghe Lamasery opened the Emperor's Lecture Hall, one of the six palaces in Beijing, to tourists recently. The Imperial College was the highest executive body of China's education system and highest school of learning for the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (from 1279 to 1911). The Emperor's lecture hall is the central architecture inside, and is the only "palace for learning" still existing in China. Emperor Qianlong's chair and other room decorations are presented to tourists. There is a Chinese language exhibition about the old Chinese educational system.

Bus Lines to Suburbs

Direct to suburban scenic spots, 18 special bus lines were recently opened to the public. The following information was accurate at press time. For inquiries and complaints, call 6779-7514.

Wall Zoo
The big zoo near Badaling Great Wall is home to more than 2,000 animals of 47 varieties. Thirty scenic spots including animal areas and performance grounds are scattered along the slope of mountain behind Badaling Great Wall and around a small reservoir. Tour buses take the 10-kilometer mountain path allowing a closer look at the tigers, lions, bears and leopards. There's a strolling area to view meeker friends like the giraffe, zebra and macaque.

Forgotten Valuable Corners in the City
Tourists are inevitably drawn to the obvious attractions of Beijing, but there are a number of beautiful and quiet parks well worth a visit. After tiring work days, no need to take long trips to the suburbs, try out the local park closest to you for an easy weekend.

Chaoyang Park (chao yang gong yuan), for example, is the largest in Beijing. The total area is 20 hectares bigger the Summer Palace. The water area is three times larger than Beihai Park. By day, a quiet relaxing spot. By night, a theme park for children stays open to 5 am the next morning, The entertainment area is a busy venue providing food, American music and bungee jumping. Open: 8am-5 am the next day

Ticket: 0.3 yuan Bus: 115 (Tuanjiehu Beikou), bus 43 (end)

Shuangxiu Park (shuang xiu gong yuan) The park at the North Third Ring Road is composed of the Chinese-style gardens and Japanese-style gardens in the style of traditional residences. There is also a wide range of children's entertainment facilities. Open: 6 pm-9 pm

Ticket: 0.2 yuan
Bus: 367, 302 (Madian stop)

Taoranting Park (tao ran ting gong yuan ) The park features different pavilions and gardens of Chinese roses and other beautiful flowers. One third of the park is water. The park is southwest of Xuanwu District Open: am-9 pm
Ticket: 2 yuan

Bus: Bus 40, 59 (Taoranting stop ), 14, 102 (Youyongchi stop )
Purple Bamboo Park (zi zhu yuan gong yuan )
The park stretches from the West Third Ring Road to the west of the Capital Gymnasium. There are more than 160,000 bamboos planted around the three lakes, decorated with delicate bridges, corridors and pavilions. Open: 6 am-8 pm
Ticket: 0.3 yuan Bus: 114, 323, 334, 374 (Zizhuyuan stop)

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