Fourth day, I was holiday in Beijing, China.

Now, start tour by walking almost 5 km journey. Why I say like that? Because we have to walk from Tain’ Anmen Square until Forbidden City. Not transportation will allow at Tain’ Anmen Square until Forbidden City.

Wah! I can walk 5 km… Not bad, huh?..

After breakfast at our hotel, we go to Beijing Zoo to visit Panda..

Hihihi~ Normally, panda will start eating on the morning so that only the chance we can see panda because most on time panda always sleep.

We was start our journey from Tain’ Anmen Square but not only us walk 5 km, our tour guide also can’t run from this task. Hahaha~ that why, she told us for who feel can’t walk 5 km, just stay on the bus because our bus will wait us at end gate of Forbidden City.

Now, start jogging exercise!

Tain’ Anmen Square which is the largest city square in the world, bordered by the Great Wall of the People. Tain’ Anmen Square is important place in Beijing, China; which are having a lot of government building around it. That why, there are have a lot of military people stand by; and at the same time we have to pass thru the checking point – almost 3 times when around at Tain’ Anmen Square.

Lucky, we have tour guide so they not really checking our bag during pass by thru the checking points.

Our tour guide told us, when something happens at Tain’ Anmen Square that will be breaking news at all TV station around China. That why, they put higher level security on that place.

Tiananmen Square is a large city square in the center of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) located to its North, separating it from the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the fourth largest city square in the world (440,000 m2 – 880×500 m or 109 acres – 960×550 yd).

Near the center of today's square, stood the "Great Ming Gate", the southern gate to the Imperial City, renamed "Great Qing Gate" during the Qing Dynasty, and "Gate of China" during the Republic of China era. Unlike the other gates in Beijing, such as the Tiananmen and the Qianmen, this was a purely ceremonial gateway, with three arches but no ramparts, similar in style to the ceremonial gateways found in the Ming Dynasty Tombs.

 This gate had a special status as the "Gate of the Nation", as can be seen from its successive names. It normally remained closed, except when the Emperor passed through. Commoner traffic was diverted to side gates at the western and eastern ends of today's square, respectively. Because of this diversion in traffic, a busy marketplace, called Chessgrid Streets developed in the big, fenced square to the south of this gate.

Just beside the Tain’ Anmen Square is the Forbidden City. 

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is located in the center of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.

Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 ha (180 acres). The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been under the charge of the Palace Museum, whose extensive collection of artwork and artifacts were built upon the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Part of the museum's former collection is now located in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Both museums descend from the same institution, but were split after the Chinese Civil War.

The Forbidden City is a rectangle, measuring 961 meters (3,153 ft) from north to south and 753 meters (2,470 ft) from east to west. It consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,886 bays of rooms; however this figure may not include various antechambers. Another common figure points to 9,999 rooms including antechambers; although this number is frequently cited, it is likely an oral tradition, and it is not supported by survey evidence. The Forbidden City was designed to be the center of the ancient, walled city of Beijing. It is enclosed in a larger, walled area called the Imperial City. The Imperial City is, in turn, enclosed by the Inner City; to its south lays the Outer City.

The Forbidden City remains important in the civic scheme of Beijing. The central north–south axis remains the central axis of Beijing. This axis extends to the south through Tiananmen gate to Tiananmen Square, the ceremonial center of the People's Republic of China, and on to Yongdingmen. To the north, it extends through Jingshan Hill to the Bell and Drum Towers. This axis is not exactly aligned north–south, but is tilted by slightly more than two degrees. Researchers now believe that the axis was designed in the Yuan dynasty to be aligned with Xanadu, the other capital of their empire.

These two places were so big and it’s really good for who want exercise during holiday. Hahaha~

After lunch, we get ready for shopping time. We had shopping at Yashow Market. This place, we allow to bargaining until 80% from the first price they put to us. But sometimes I not feel so comfortable during the bargaining part with them. For me, they look so scaring. I not buy anything at this place even we was given time 2 hours for shopping.

Before I get ready for packing my luggage, I get chance to visit one of my favorite café during I was holiday at Seoul – which is Twosome+ Coffee was open at Beijing, China. I bought some cake and tumble at Twosome+ Coffee. I miss this café; I will visit again when I go back Seoul in this year. Hahaha~

Tomorrow, we holiday at Hangzhou, China and our journey at Beijing already ended. This city was full with history even in modern city. 

<<<Stay tune of next stories>>>

Here, the link of others stories about my family vacation at China:

Day 1 & Day 2 ~ click here

Day 3 ~ click here

Day 5 ~ click here

Day 6 ~ click here

Day 7 ~ click here

Day 8 ~ click here

Enjoy your reading.. (^_^)

The third day, we were holiday at Beijing, China. I was wake up early in the morning for take early breakfast because we want to walk around hotel, since our tour guide told us that our hotel have beautiful garden with full of beautiful blossom flowers. That why, we want to take this chance to go there and take explore by our self, before start out tour on the second day. Hihihi~

Even cherry blossom season or know as Sakura season was ended during that period, but there still have a lot of variety flowers in the garden. That is so beautiful scene. 

Actually, I already saw the real Sakura flower during my vacation at Jeju Island on early year 2013; so I not feeling so regret when I can’t saw the Sakura flower at China in this year. I still can enjoy with other beautiful flowers around in China during this vacation.

On the way to go the Great Wall of China Beijing, we stop by at Jade Center as the compulsory place during our trip. We have to listen about the jade on the Jade Center even we have right to not buy anything at there. 

I don’t know that the level expensive of jade is almost same with gold; which is the most period time you keep or wear the jade is the higher level expensive of the jade – mostly same like gold’s theory. Most the original jade will have a little bit change of color and design when you wear it in long time. That make your jade become more expensive after date you purchased it.

Actually last 7 years ago, my aunty gives me a bracelet of the new green jade; and I keep wear it on my left hand because left hand is near on the heart location in the body. That was the reasons of good health based on Chinese believer. 

Then I show my jade to the professional jade at there, they ask me how long I wear this jade and I told them about almost 7 years I wear it. They said, this jade is the good jade and the price of my jade will become almost around RM 3000in this year based on the color and the design of my jade. 

The first time, I hear it. I not really believe it because it sound so crazy and the actual price that my aunty bought it before is around RM 150++ only. How it can be like that? Hahaha~ that was really good to make the investment.

Travel to one of the 7 wonders Great Wall of China Beijing which was first built in the Warring States period (475 – 221 BC). The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces.

Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC, there, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built between 220 – 206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

Little of that wall remains. Since then, the Great Wall has on and off been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced; the majority of the existing wall is from the Ming Dynasty.

Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration. 

Furthermore, the defensive characteristic of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire, and the fact that the path of the Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.

The main Great Wall line stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. A comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has concluded that the Ming walls measure 8,850 km (5,500 mi). This is made up of 6,259 km (3,889 mi) sections of actual wall, 359 km (223 mi) of trenches and 2,232 km (1,387 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers. Another archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measure out to be 21,196 km (13,171 mi).

When we walk around the Great Wall – I start wondering how they built this before. I am feeling so amazing!

We just walk until third pit stop because so tired and many people on that day – the road and stairs at Great Wall are quite dangerous too.

Our lunch on second day was near by Great Wall. After tired play around the Great Wall, we are so hungry. Hihihi~ this time, we can finish 3 big bowls of rice.

After lunch, we go to Baoshutang Scald Ointment Factory. This is one of the compulsory places during our trip. This factory sells the variety of Chinese medical. 

Not complete if going Beijing not visit Best Nest Olympic Stadium. Hihihi~

Then, we take the dinner before us watching Kung-Fu show on night. Even the journey is quite long from Baoshutang Scald Ointment Factory to Beijing City but we still feel full for eat dinner in short time, since we eat a lot during lunch time.

This show not includes on our schedule but majority want to watch it and we need to pay even I and my parents don’t wait it. I not remember how much the ticket price but I think it almost RM 150++ per person.

For me, this shows not really my type. It’s quite boring to me… what can I said, I more like to watch Korea concert. Totally can make me super enjoy. Hahaha~

After I was stay at Beijing in third day, I can see the different between China and Malaysia is the type of variety cars on the roads. There is having most expensive cars on the roads rather in Malaysia.  No more “ugly cars” on the roads. 

Our tour guide told us that standard people in China can buy car like “Honda City”, “Hyundai”, “Ford”, or “Audi”.  You can imagine how about rich people in China can buy car? I know you know the reasons why…

I was so surprised when our tour guide told us like that.. Even our tour guide have car Honda City and the price is around RM 42,000++ if to convert in Ringgit Malaysia. On that part, I feel a little bit jealous with them.

That why, you can see the link roads in China have minimum is 4 links for one way and it became 8 links for two ways. Everyday the traffic always jams during peak time, same like in Malaysia too.

<<<Stay tune of next stories>>>

Here, the link of others stories about my family vacation at China:

Day 1 & Day 2 ~ click here

Day 4 ~ click here

Day 5 ~ click here

Day 6 ~ click here

Day 7 ~ click here

Day 8 ~ click here

Enjoy your reading.. (^_^)

Okay! Finally, I got time to update the story about my first family trip to China on April as I called The Fantastic Family Vacation on Spring Season at Beijing, Hangzhou & Shanghai, China in April 2014! 

Hihihi~ 

Before this, I was post the small part of story about this trip; click here to get the general view before read my whole stories.

Now, our story about trip at China is beginning… (^_^)

As you know, when tour period is 8 days 6 nights – that mean the tour agent count day start on the day of they meet all the people in tour group at airport. That why, it was have extra 1 day in this tour. 

Actually, we flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Beijing Capital International Airport on 6 April 2014 (Sunday) around 12:25 am. The same time of plane Malaysia Airline (MH 370) was gone on 8 March 2014. Of course, after hear that news we feeling a little bit scare and worried; but we were safely landing at Beijing Capital International Airport on 6 April 2014 (Sunday) around 5:25 am. 

We using plane Malaysia Airline Air Bus (MH 318) for this trip. We were so thankful to the Malaysia Airlines crews for everything going smooth until us safely landing. Actually, based on the schedule trip – they estimate us safely landing at Beijing Capital International Airport around 6.35 am but we arrive there early 1 hour.

There are not have different world time between Malaysia and China. Only the weather have the different between Malaysia and China, which are China have 4 different seasons – not like in Malaysia. 

The temperature on that day is almost 8 – 12 Celsius at Beijing, China. It’s quite cold for me plus if have wind. 

The Beijing Capital International Airport was so big. We take train from the place plane landing to another building of arrival areas, which is to the immigration counters. It does almost take 15 minutes by train.

Actually, we hear so many rumors after the news about plane Malaysia Airline MH 370 was gone from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Beijing Capital International Airport on 8 March 2014. But everything was back to normal at the airport. I glad nothing like the rumors I was hear it before.

Since we were arrive there early 1 hour, so our tour guide not yet waiting us at arrival gate because on the schedule we will arrive there around 6:35 am. After we meet our Beijing tour guide, then our trips around Beijing City are beginning.

Our luggage was straight take to our hotel, since we were check in room on 3 pm; but all our luggage are keep at the lobby hotel before we check in room. So tour guide take us to first place in our schedule in Beijing, China is Summer Palace.  

The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing, China. The Summer Palace is mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. It covers an expense of 2.9 square kilometers (720 acres), three-quarters of which is water.

Longevity Hill is about 60 meters (200 feet) high and has many buildings positioned in sequence. The front hill is rich with splendid halls and pavilions, while the back hill, in sharp contrast, is quite with natural beauty.

The central Kinming Lake covering 2.2 square kilometers (540 acres) was entirely man-made and the excavated soil was used to build Longevity Hill. In Summer Palace, one finds a variety of palace, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures.

Summer Palace is famous place to tourist and China citizen especially during summer season because Summer Palace is quite cold during summer season in China.  Summer season in China is quite hot and because in the Summer Palace have big lake that make the temperature in the Summer Palace not too hot like another place around Beijing, China. That why, China citizen like to go the Summer Palace during summer season – same like the name of “Summer Palace”. 

After that, we visit the foot massage in Chinese herbal medicine center. This is among the compulsory place that we have to visit when using travel agent, if we don’t want to go among this place, we need to pay some fee to China government. This is the way, China government want to support their tourism department. Actually if take tour agent, its still have the compulsory place among the tour even other country. That normal if take tour agent for vacation; not like when you travel as free and easy travelers.

Then, the time I waiting for Lunch Time!!

What can I said? Most our meals in China is Chinese style and the quantity is almost 11 to 13 meals in one table. It’s quite a lot for 9 peoples in this group for this tour. The number of meals on the table must be odd. I not sure why… maybe they like number of odd.. Hihihi~

After lunch, we straight go to our hotel for rest before we process to Acrobatic Show. For me, I not really like Acrobatic Show but I not sure other people. Mostly during the show, I was sleeping in the cinema until the last performance that they using motorbike.

 We were stay at Rosadale Hotel Beijing in Beijing, China for 4 days 3 nights. Then, we back to hotel for rest. I’m so tired on my first day trip at Beijing, China but it was so fun.

<<<Stay tune of next stories>>>

Here, the link of others stories about my family vacation at China:

Day 3 ~ click here

Day 4 ~ click here

Day 5 ~ click here

Day 6 ~ click here

Day 7 ~ click here

Day 8 ~ click here

Enjoy your reading.. (^_^)