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42 Working Women® n Autumn 2014
BeijingWW travel WW travel
China is a land of revealing diversity. It can be described as ancient yet up to the minute, antique and funky, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, space age yet old fashioned, a land of mesmerising contradictions.
No matter where you look in China, you see something unexpected, something surprising.
It may surprise you to know that China has more millionaires than any other country, and more 5 6, and 7 star hotels.
China has emerged into the 21st century as an exciting ‘go to’ destination and its doors have been flung wide open to the world. There is something for everyone … and the best part is you can be in China in less than eleven hours from any Australian capital!
Most first time travellers to China do the big three, Beijing, X’ian and Shanghai. At a squeeze you could do the three cities in seven days but we would suggest ten days or more, giving you more time to explore and experience what’s on offer.
Beijing is a cultural and historical feast. This is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Think, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square, and we are talking about the largest public square
in the world and the largest palace complex, filled with museums, galleries and artisans.
No matter what you think, nothing will prepare you for the sheer magnitude of the Great Wall of China, which is just a short drive from central Beijing. Pack some comfy walking shoes so you can tick climbing the Great Wall off your bucket list. Another fascinating area of Beijing, is the Hutong, best seen from the seat of a rickshaw, or cycling the narrow alley ways and streets. See Beijing behind the scenes and appreciate the simple life of these beautiful people, their homes and everyday life.
The Hutong area is also home to some of the most simple and best eateries in Beijing. One of our favourites is Mr Shi’s Dumplings at 74 Baochao Hutong, Gulou East St, Beijing. You will find Mr Shi’s filled with locals and expats, which is always a good sign.
Beijing, like Shanghai, is a shopping mecca, with vast super modern sprawling shopping malls, up-market high-end boutiques, street markets, wholesale markets, the copy markets … and everything in between. And it is all open until 9–10 pm, which gives you time for both sight seeing and picking up some unbelievable bargains.
The Silk Market or Copy Market as it is known is a favourite with tourists, six storeys of
everything you could possibly imagine. This is where you can pick up a ‘Prada’ handbag, a ‘Chanel’ Jacket, ‘Gucci’ shoes, a ‘Mont Blanc’ pen, ‘Nothface’ snow gear, ‘Dior’ sunglasses, and loads and loads more. It is heaps of fun and you need a sense of humour and a ready smile but if you want a browsing relaxed shopping experience, this is not the place for you.
Other markets that are very similar, but more low key, are the Yashow Market in the Sanlitun district and the Hongqiao Pearl Market. The Pearl Market is a four-story building located just next to the Temple of Heaven that offers much more than pearls. Like the Silk Market, it provides everything from shoes, bags, luggage, clothes, silk, tea, toys, souvenirs, to authentic pearls and jewellery.
At night, there is plenty of entertainment, and apart from all the amazing restaurants (try Duck de Chine in the 1949 Hidden City building in the Sanlitun district for the most mouth watering Peking Duck you will ever taste!), there are some great bars in the Sanlitun district and it is not unusual to hear the sounds of sultry blues and ‘hoppin’ jazz as you walk around the area.
The Chaoyang Acrobatic Show is also a must do whilst you are visiting Beijing. The performance lasts three hours and VIP seating will cost you $25 to $30, we recommend you book in advance.
Wangfujing Street is a ‘walking street’, it is the main shopping and commercial street of Beijing and is worth visiting day or night. Not only will you have the opportunity to shop in some of the largest shopping malls in the world, you can also join the locals in line dancing or ballroom dancing. Or maybe Tai Chi is your style? They are very happy for you to join in, you need a sense of fun and to not to take yourself too seriously.
The best thing about Beijing is it is safe, it’s easy to navigate and very easy to get around. It has an efficient and very cheap subway rail system, a plentiful supply of cabs (look for the government owned green, blue or red, and avoid the black and unmarked cabs that are privately owned), and it is always an adventure
China is so much more than mao, rice paddies and straw hats. SanDra martin and natalie SHeParD invite you to discover the intriguing and mesmerising China that they know, starting with Beijing.
Calling all
Wonderful WomenWild Wacky
if you want a unique, fabulous, fun travel experience with like-minded inspiring women, then this is the trip for you.
With over 25 years experience in the travel industry, Sandra Martin your image and style coach is constantly amazed by China, this country of contrast’s ability to surprise and delight at every turn.
Join Sandra and Natalie Shepard your lifestyle coach and other Wild Wacky Wonderful Women in China. 11 days visiting Beijing, Xian & Shanghai. May 24th 2014, (Booked out), limited places available for the September 20th departure. Bookings being taken now for May & September 2015. A holiday here makes perfect sense, China has it all, and is affordable.
WWWW – Sandra: 0414 728 968 natalie: 0419 607 200 228A Lygon St, East Brunswick, Vic [email protected] www.wildwackywonderfulwomen.com.au
to hop on a local bus, they are plentiful and efficient too.
We use our own transport in Beijing, and always have our own English-speaking guide, and this allows our small group a huge degree of flexibility and independence. Beijing is a very friendly city, and in the 10 years we have been taking groups of women there, we have always felt safe and well cared for.
One of the nicest things to do at the end of a big day of sight seeing, shopping and exploring, is to have a relaxing massage. Massage is a Chinese specialty, and you find it available in
most hotels. Whether it be a pedicure, foot spa and massage or a full body two hours of bliss, it is a great way to end the day; expect to pay $8 to $20. Some of our girls have been known to have four in one day – they are that good.
Beijing is the perfect place to start your China adventure, and it’s only a short flight to X’ian the home of the famous, Terracotta Warriors.
Hotels in Beijing are plentiful and varied in price and quality. We stay at either the Holiday Inn Downtowner, a good quality 4 star hotel, set back from the street so that it is quieter, close to all the main tourist highlights, with a
department store and supermarket over the road, a fantastic ‘locals’ wholesale market, and the subway station at the front door. The Novotel Beijing, is downtown and is a five minute walk from Wangfujing, the main shopping street, and close to all the major attractions. n
n You need a visa to enter China.n Best time of year to travel is between late
may to late September.n avoid Chinese public holidays, i.e. october
1st – 7th.n most hotels supply complimentary bottled
water.n in the markets, you are expected to haggle
(with a smile and a laugh), so expect to pay only 15–20% from the initial starting price.
n there are many airlines flying into China, if you choose a Chinese airline, they allow a 40 kg luggage allowance which is a real bonus
n taxis: always ask for the meter to be put on, if you haven’t negotiated a fare in advance.
n if travelling with a Chinese airline, we would suggest you load your iPad or tablet with movies and music, because the inflight entertainment is usually in Chinese.
n travel light, don’t take much with you, as you are bound to pick up some incredible bargains, and this is an opportunity to pick up Christmas presents and gifts for others.
n tipping isn’t expected, although it is undoubtedly appreciated.
n always carry tissues or toilet paper in your bag.
n good western style toilets can be found in any hotel lobby or major shopping mall.
n Free wi-fi can be found in all mcDonalds, and Star Bucks coffee shops, which are plentiful.
t i p s f o r t r a v e l l i n g i n c h i n a
ContaCt Sandra Martin and Natalie Shepard
Business Wild Wacky Wonderful WomenPhone +61 (0) 414 728 968www.wildwackywonderfulwomen.com
a r t i c l e c o u r t e s y o f W o r K i n g W o M e n ® M a g a z i n e – w w w.wo m e n s n e t wo r k . co m . au
