Beijing Budget Holiday
Wander the Tiananmen Square, or the spectacular grounds of Gugong. Search for the fast disappearing Hutongs, or curios in Panjiayuan. Experience the splendor of the Great Wall and the culinary delights and curiosities of Beijing, all on a low budget.
This Beijing budget holiday guide will walk you through the Chinese capital, which is visited by millions of tourists every year, and with good reason. One of the best sights to visit is the Forbidden City. Standing in Tiananmen Square, you will not only get an idea of the scale and grandeur that you are about to witness in Gugong, but you're also confronted with a tragic and endlessly debated period in Chinese history. The square is not only the sight of the 1989 massacre of students calling for democratic reform, but also the sight of Mao’s mausoleum.
The Imperial Palace Gugong by itself has over 8 million visitors each year. Built more than six centuries ago, this palatial complex that had once housed the Chinese imperial dynasties Ming and Qing and is now the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government. Yihe Yuan, the summer palace, can not be neglected after your imperial sojourn to Gugong. Make sure you visit Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill on your Beijing budget holiday.
Wangfujing, Beijing’s famous boulevard, rivals the cobblestoned avenues of Europe in terms of the sheer profusion of riotous shops and cafes. You’ll find fashionable boutiques alongside famous brands, combined with the heady atmosphere of tourist throngs. Go down ‘snack street’ in Wangfuijing to get your fix of deep fried insect and toasted scorpions, all on for cheap. If you’re looking to do some serious antique shopping (and even if you’re not), visit the Panjiayuan flea market, which operates on weekends. Walk past the razzle dazzle on the lower floors to the where private collectors offer priceless curios for sale.
Take a day trip for a visit to the Great Wall of China at Badaling. A cable car will take you up to the most majestic military fortification built by man. The area is incredibly touristy, but this part of the wall is among the best preserved, and you will forget all about the crowds when you are standing on an awe inspiring bit of history.
Food in Beijing is very reasonably priced, so you can afford to eat very well even with low budget options in mind. Take care to eat hygienically cooked meals and drink bottled water. Highly recommended are the World of Suzie Wong and Beijing Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant for an initiation into the culinary delights of Beijing. For a great night out, head to the tiny but wonderful What? Bar. Consider Feiyung Youth Hostel, Dongzhimen Golden Pineapple Youth hostel or the Lotus Hostel for a comfortable stay in Beijing.
