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Tips for visitors to The Forbidden City in Beijing

September 27, 2011 0 steve

The Forbidden City is probably China’s most famous museum, and second only to the Great Wall as a tourist attraction. For nearly 500 years the 10m high walls have housed the Ming and Qing emperors up until 1911. It was opened to the public in 1925 and made a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987.

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Mythology at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival – Longtan Park, Beijing

September 22, 2011 0 steve

On the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, people all over China celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The celebration takes many forms such as hanging lanterns, getting together with family, exchanging mooncakes, dancing and matchmaking.

asia

Failing to learn Chinese: Trying too hard

September 20, 2011 17 steve

After some time not really learning Chinese, then taking a rapid leap forward online, I decided to try an Intensive Mandarin Course.

asia

Getting tired of being Civilised – Chaoyang, Beijing

September 13, 2011 0 steve

The run up to the October 1st National Day holiday coincides with the judging period of a national civilisation contest. Chaoyang has entered independently of the rest of Beijing and is vying against 80 other cities like Hangzhou, Lhasa and Guangzhou in the competition run by the Central Civilization Bureau.

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A less than tempting visit to the Beijing Public Security Bureau

September 6, 2011 0 steve

A visit to the Public Security Bureau (Gōng'ānjú or PSB), can be a common if unwelcome recurrence for the foreigner living in China. Other changes, such as registration of residence, or employment permits can be done at the smaller local Police posts, or Pai'chūsuǒ, which can be found dotted all over town.

asia

A Day at the Shooting Range – Beijing, China

August 30, 2011 0 steve

Once you escape the traffic, the China North International Shooting Range is only about an hour northwest of Beijing.

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Observations on London, after a year in China

August 25, 2011 0 steve

Observations on the differences between London, the UK and China. There's no clear winner...yet

asia

A guide to the top rated street food of Xi’an

August 23, 2011 0 steve

At the end of our trip round Gansu province we made our way to Shaanxi province, and the capital Xi’an. With only one night in town, we looked up the top five street foods on DianPing, which all seemed to be concentrated in the Muslim Quarter. The main thoroughfare through the Muslim Quarter is Huimin Street, but the best-rated street…

asia

Maijishan Grottoes – Tianshui, Gansu Province

August 16, 2011 0 steve

I love when somewhere I’ve never heard of, and stumbleupon by accident, becomes one of my new favourite places. The Maijishan Mountain Grottoes are one such discovery. The mountain’s sheer face rises vertically out of the ground, an oddity amongst the surrounding rolling hills. Maijishan translates as Wheat Stack Mountain as it looks (somewhat) like a solitary pile of straw.…

asia

Grasping Chinese – Beijing, China

August 10, 2011 0 steve

Following my earlier post about Failing to Learn Chinese and all the excellent feedback, the creator of a system called Grasp Chinese contacted me.

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A travel blog covering living, working, volunteering and travelling in over 90 countries

asia

Tips for visitors to The Forbidden City in Beijing

Mythology at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival – Longtan Park, Beijing

Failing to learn Chinese: Trying too hard

Getting tired of being Civilised – Chaoyang, Beijing

A less than tempting visit to the Beijing Public Security Bureau

A Day at the Shooting Range – Beijing, China

Observations on London, after a year in China

A guide to the top rated street food of Xi’an

Maijishan Grottoes – Tianshui, Gansu Province

Grasping Chinese – Beijing, China

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Popular Posts

How to apply for a Chinese visa in Hong Kong

Simple guide to choosing a VPN for China (and elsewhere!)

One born every minute : Chinese Scams in Beijing

Beijing Zoo is horrible

Less common tips for first-time visitors to China

Recent Posts

Sapsan fast train – Moscow to St Peterburg

In Photos: Hermitage Museum – St Petersburg

A view across St Petersburg

Catherine’s Palace – Pushkin, near St Petersburg

Nevsky Prospect Walking Tour – St Petersburg, Russia

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