“五岳”-Mt. Songshan in Henan 中岳嵩山（河南）

Song Mountain lies in Dengfeng city, in the heart of Henan Province and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of its capital, Zhengzhou. Song Mountain, which is also known as Zhong Yue (middle mountain), is known as one of the Five Mountains of China. The others in this group are Tai mountain in Shandong Province, Hua Mountain in Shaanxi Province, Mount Heng in Shanxi Province and Mount Heng in Hunan Province.Song Mountain has fine natural scenery. Its 72 mountains, grouped around the peaks of Mount Shaoshi and Mount Taishi, extend for about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from east to west. Besides these mountains, there are many valleys, caves, pools and waterfalls, each of which provides the visitor with a unique and wonderful experience. The landscape is so unique that it has been given the title of 'International Geological Park' by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).The history of Song Mountain is as rich and interesting as its landscape. Its proximity to Luoyang, the ancient capital city of nine different dynasties, made it an essential place for emperors to offer sacrifices to their ancestors and the gods and to confer the crown to their heirs. This has left many sites of historic and cultural interest in this area. The beauty of the area's scenery also led to many scholars, eminent monks and famous Taoists chose this area as an important place to give lectures, explain Buddhist sutras and develop the teachings of different religions. Practitioners of the three faiths of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism absorbed ideas from each other, which led to their three belief systems growing closer together.Song Mountain is the birthplace of China Zen Buddhism, and is the home of many wondrous temples, including Shaolin Temple, the largest pagoda forest in China, Ta Lin (meaning pagoda forest) and the most ancient pagoda in China, Songyue Temple pagoda. A visitor can also visit the oldest cypress, as well as the earliest star observation platform in China.What makes Song Mountain different from the rest of the Five Mountains is its profound and extensive cultural history. For this reason, a visit to Song Mountain will be greatly rewarding for scholars of religion, physical culture, astronomy, archaeology, geology, art, and architecture, as well as for travelers with a passion for beauty and history.

Beijing Snack：Time Honored Brand老字号

Traditional Beijing Snack is a prized delicacy in Beijing Cuisine. Some restaurants serve the local snacks that have been enjoyed by the townspeople for hundreds of years. Now, these time-honored restaurants are again alive with vigor. Following are some featured restaurants we recommend to you: Du Yi Chu Shao MaiChinese name: 都一处烧卖（dū yī chù shāo mài）In Qianmen Street, there is a restaurant that has been enjoyed by the locals for hundreds of years. It is said that the name of the restaurant was given by Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The restaurant has a history of over 300 years and it is still doing well. Shao Mai is a kind of steamed dumpling with the dough gathered at the top. Shao Mai with vegetable stuffing as well as meat stuffing is well liked by the diners. Temporarily, to support the repair work of the Palace Museum, the restaurant was moved to Fengtai District.Location: No.15, Fangcheng Yuan Cate Street, Fangzhuang, Fengtai DistrictHua Tian RestaurantChinese name: 华天小吃（huá tiān xiǎo chī）It is also a restaurant with long history. Since the 1980s, there was a Muslim restaurant simply named as Xiao Chi Bu, selling traditional Beijing snacks. Now, after many years' development, the taste of the snacks here is as genuine as before. Dou Zhi (Bean Soup), Zha Gao (Fried Cake) and Jiao Quan (Fried Bread Ring) are the most popular snacks here.Location: Northeast corner of the crossroad of Di'anmen Street, Dongcheng DistrictBei Ping Lou RestaurantChinese name: 北平楼酒楼（běi ping lóu jǐu lóu）This is a traditional Beijing restaurant, offering all kinds of Beijing local snacks. As well as the delicious dishes, the decoration of the restaurant is also impressive. The waiter wears a short gown with a towel hanging over his shoulder. When entering the restaurant, you will be taken back to the old Beijing in 1930s.Average Cost per Person: CNY40Bei Ping Lou Restaurant (Liu Pu Keng Branch)Location: No.65, Liupukeng, Xichang DistrictBei Ping Lou Restaurant (Ta Yuan Branch)Location: No.1, Ta Yuan, Haidian DistrictBei Ping Lou Restaurant (Dianmen Branch)Location: No.181 (Jia), West Street, Dianmen Gate, Dongcheng DistrictBei Ping Lou Restaurant (Pan Jia Yuan Branch)Location: No.48, Wusheng Dongli, Chaoyang DistrictBei Ping Lou Restaurant (Liuliqiao Branch)Location: No.17, Liuliqiao Nanli, Fengtai DistrictDao Jia ChangChinese name: 到家尝（dào jiā cháng）It is an ideal place to taste real Beijing Cuisine as well as the catering culture of Beijing. The traditional Beijing Cuisine served here, especially the noodles with soybean paste, will make your mouth water.Average Cost per Person: CNY30Dao Jia Chang (Guangxumen Branch)Location: No.20, Guangxumen Beili, Chaoyang DistrictDao Jia Chang (Shilipu Branch)Location: east of Huangtang Department Store, Shilipu, Chaoyang DistrictDa Zhai MenChinese name: 大宅门（dà zhái mén）The restaurant is highly praised for its menu. Every day, there are performances in the big hall of the restaurant. The diners can enjoy the performances while having their meal.Average Cost per Person: CNY80Location: No.3, Huixin Beili, Chaoyang DistrictDa Zhai Men (Changping Branch)Location: No.23, Fuxue Road, Changping DistrictGou Bu Li Baozi (steamed stuffed bun)Chinese name: 狗不理包子（gǒu bù lǐ bāo zī）Gou Bu Li Baozi is the most famous steamed stuffed bun all over the country. It originated in 1858 in Tianjin. The steaming hot Baozi in a delicate shape will surely make your mouth water.Average Cost per Person: CNY20-CNY30Gou Bu Li Baozi (Wangfujing Branch)Location: Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District (opposite the south gate of Wangfujing Department Store)Gou Bu Li Baozi (Qianmen Branch)Location: Dazhalan, Qianmen, Chongwen DistrictGou Bu Li Baozi (Dongdan Branch)Location: No.88, Dongdan Street (North), Dongcheng DistrictGou Bu Li Baozi (Haidian Branch)Location: No.3, Maolinju, Fuxing Road, Haidian DistrictJiu Men SnacksChinese name: 九门小吃（jǐu mén xiǎo chī）It is the heaven of Beijing snacks lovers as nearly all the Beijing snacks are gathered here and waiting for you to taste.Average Cost per Person: CNY35Location: No.1, Xiyou Hutong, Shichahai Houhai, Xicheng DistrictDao Xiang CunChinese name: 稻香村（dào xiāng cūn）It is a time honored brand restaurant serving genuine Beijing snacks. There are many branches all over the city. Average Cost per Person: CNY20Recommended Dishes: Pancake in Oxtongue Shape, Pea-flour CakeLocation: Bldg B1, Xinguang World, No.87, Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang DistrictLiu Bi JuChinese name: 六必居（lìu bì jū）The restaurant enjoys a long history. The tablet hanging above the entrance was written by Yan Song, a prime minister in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Pickles that have a salty flavor are the special dishes of the restaurant.Location: No.3, Wai Langshidian, Xuanwu DistrictSha Guo JuChinese name: 沙锅居（shā guō jū）Average cost per person: CNY15-CNY20Hours: 11:30 - 13:30 17:00 - 20:00Location: 60 Xisi Nan Da Jie, Xicheng DistrictDa Wan Cha RestaurantChinese name: 大碗茶酒家（dà wǎn chá jiǔ jiā）Average cost per person: CNY50Hours: 9:00 - 22:00Location: 3F Bldg. 3 Zhengyang Market, Qianmen Xi Jie, Chongwen DistrictYou Yi Shun RestaurantChinese name: 又一顺饭庄（yòu yī shun fàn zhuāng）Average cost per person: CNY50Hours: 10:30 - 22:00Location: 28 Huangsi Jie, Desheng Men, Xicheng DistrictLvrou Houshao Wang (Donkey Meat and Baked Wheaten Cake)Chinese name: 驴肉火烧王（lú ròu huǒ shāo wáng）Average cost per person: CNY10-CNY20Location: 90, Huguosi Jie, Xicheng DistrictYi Wan Ju Noodles (noodles with chopped meat in fried bean sauce)Chinese name: 一碗居（yī wǎn jū）Average cost per person: CNY30Hours: 11:00 - 22:00Location: Bldg. 5, 4th Section, Anhui Bei Li, Asian Games Village, Chaoyang District

Beijing Cuisine :Imperial Court Food宫廷菜

According to the different people it served, imperial cuisine is divided into imperial court cuisine and imperial official cuisine.Imperial Court Cuisine is a style of food with origins in the Imperial Palace. Based on foods served to the Emperor and his court, Imperial Court Cuisine is well-known by the original features of the raw material and carefully selected ingredients. Additionally, the dishes are decorated by different colorful vegetables and fruits carved into various shapes. Each dish has a propitious name, such as Yu Feng Huan Chao (jade phoenix returning to the royal). And some of them even have short stories. Today Imperial Court Cuisine has become a major school of Chinese cooking with several places offering this unique flavor. Fang Shan in Beihai Park and Ting Li Guan in the Summer Palace are the best ones. This cuisine was not available 150 years ago. While expensive, it is worth trying. Imperial official cuisine is particular to Beijing. In the past, Beijing officials were all very picky about what type of food they ate. The most famous type of Official food is Tan Family Food, available in the Beijing Hotel. This is the preferred food of the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911) official Tan Zongling, and was later introduced into restaurants. Another type of food is described in the classic novel, Dream of Red Mansions. The author, Cao Xueqin, described a number of dishes in the book and now there are several restaurants that serve this style of dish. The most famous place is the Beijing Grand View Garden Hotel next to the Beijing Grand View Garden modeled after the garden described in the Dream of Red Mansions. Other restaurants featuring this novel type of food are the Jinglun Hotel and Laijinyuxuan Restaurant in Zhongshan Park.Restaurants of Imperial CuisineFangshan RestaurantChinese name: 仿膳饭庄（fǎng shàn fàn zhuāng）Located in Beihai Park, Fangshan Restaurant is the most famous one offering the luxurious Imperial Court Cuisine. The restaurant was opened in 1925 by imperial chefs of the former Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and caused a great sensation at that time. Fangshan means ‘imitate the imperial court cuisine' in Chinese. The restaurant is made up of three parts and it can hold 500 people eating at the same time. It is decorated in imperial style with the design of dragon and phoenix. Here is the best place to experience the life of the Chinese emperors in former days. Now, it serves nearly 800 kinds of Imperial Court Dishes. Among them, Man-Han Banquet is the most famous.Average cost per person: CNY200 - CNY300 Hours: 11:00-13:30 17:00-19:30Location: No.1, Wenjin Jie, inside Beihai ParkBus Route: 5, 13, 101, 103, 109, 810 (get off at Beihai Stop)Li Jia Cai RestaurantChinese name: 厉家菜（lì jiā cài）Located in a courtyard of Yangfang hutong in Beijing, there is a special restaurant named Li Jia Cai Restaurant (Li Family Restaurant) which is devoted to Imperial Court food. The initiator of Li Jia Cai is Li Shanlin, a retired professor of mathematics, who also has great interest in cooking genuine Beijing Imperial Court Food. The restaurant has no employees. The Li family are owner and employees of the restaurant; and dinner is by set menu. That is to say, a guest can not order the dishes but must wait for whatever they serve; furthermore, one banquet daily, if you want to have a dinner here, you should make a reservation (at least two weeks ahead of time); finally there are no chemical materials in the dishes, all flavorings are natural. This restaurant has welcomed many celebrities including the former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, the former premier of Britain, John Major, and Chinese superstar Jackie Chan. Professor Li speaks English and can discuss Chinese culture while you enjoy your dinner and good wine. If you are a real gourmand, try to find this restaurant hidden in a Beijing hutong.Address: No.11, Yangfang hutong, Denei DajieTing Li Guan RestaurantChinese name: 听骊馆（tīng lí guān）The table delicacies in Ting Li Guan Restaurant absorb the essence of the Eight Cuisines in China and combine the Han Cuisine with the other cuisines of minority groups such as Man, Mongol and Hui.Average cost per person: CNY70 - CNY200Hours: 11:00 - 14:00 16:30 - 19:00 (Make your dinner reservations at least an hour before your dinner time.)Location: at the south of Wanshou Hill, inside the Summer PalaceBus Route: 332, 374, 716, 817 (get off at Xin Jianguomen Stop)Yushan RestaurantChinese name: 御膳饭店（yù shàn fàn diàn）The layout of the restaurant follows the imperial palace with luxurious decoration. When eating in the restaurant, diners are served by waitresses in traditional imperial costumes.Average cost per person: CNY80 - CNY120Hours: 16:30 - 19:30Location: No.87, Tiantan Lu, Chongwen DistrictBus Route: 34, 35, 36, 106, 6 (get off at Tiantan North Gate Stop)Yan Yi Shan Zhai RestaurantChinese name: 砚逸善斋酒家（yàn yì shàn zhāi jǐu jiā）The restaurant is located in a compound courtyard that was the residence of a princess in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). So the courtyard is commonly called Gege Fu (Princess Mansion House). It offers the best dishes of imperial cuisine and imperial stew is the special dish there. Comparing with other imperial restaurants, Yan Yi Shan Zhai Restaurant is a perfect combination of imperial cuisine and Sichuan hotpot. Diners put vegetables and meat into the soup, similar to creating the hotpot of Sichuan Cuisine.Hours: 11:00 - 14:00 17:00 - 22:00Location: No.9, Daqudeng Hutong, Backstreet of Art Gallery, Dongcheng DistrictTan Jia Cai RestaurantChinese name: 谭家菜（tán jiā cài）Average Cost per Person: CNY200 - CNY800Hours: 11:30 - 14:00 17:30 - 21:30Location: 7/F, Unit C, Beijing Hotel, 33, Dong Changan Jie, Dongcheng DistrictBus Route: 1, 4, 10, 52, 103 (get off at Wangfujing Stop)Guoyao Xiaoju Chinese name: 国肴小居（guó yáo xiǎo jū）Average Cost per Person: CNY50 - CNY200Hours: 09:00 - 22:00Location: 58, Jiaodaokou Bei Santiao, Dongcheng DistrictHaitang JuChinese name: 海棠居（hǎi tang jū）Average Cost per Person: CNY100 - CNY300Hours: 10:00 - 22:00Location: 32, West Street, Xuanwumen, Xuanwu DistrictTai Shang Gong RestaurantChinese name: 太上宫酒楼（tài shàng gōng jǐu lóu）Hours: 11:00 - 14:30 17:00 - 22:00Location: No.15, Anding Road, Chaoyang DistrictHui Zhen Lou RestaurantChinese name: 汇珍楼饭庄（huì zhēn lóu fàn zhuāng）Hours: 11:00 - 14:30 17:00 - 22:00Location: No.8, Beichen Road (East)

Beijing Cuisine :Other Roast Duck Restaurants 其他烤鸭店

In addition to Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, there are many other restaurants offering visitors the best dishes of Beijing Roast Duck. Although less famous than Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, they also offer delicious food and are much cheaper. Visitors can also taste the original roast duck there. Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant, which derives its name from the meaning of 'convenient and comfortable,' is a good choice for diners.Some detailed information about these restaurants is listed as follows:Bian yifang Roast Duck Restaurant (Happiness Street Branch)Chinese name: 便宜坊烤鸭幸福路店 (biàn yífǎng kǎo yā xìng fú lù diàn)Average Cost per Person: CNY 70Hours: 10:00 - 21:00Location: No.36, Happiness Street, Chongwen DistrictBus Route: 8, 35, 41, 60, 116, 707 500) this.width=500;" border=0>Bian yifang Roast Duck Restaurant (Chongwen Gate Branch)Chinese name: 便宜坊烤鸭崇文门分店 (biàn yífǎng kǎo yā chóng wén mén diàn)Average Cost per Person: CNY80 - CNY100Hours: 11:00 - 20:00Location: 1st floor, Hademen Hotel, No.2ed Jia, Chongmenwai StreetBus Route: 9, 36, 39, 43, 807 500) this.width=500;" border=0>Made in China (No. 1 Restaurant in Chang'an Street)Chinese name: 长安壹号（cháng ān yī hào）Average Cost per Person: CNY 200 - 300Hours: 11:30 - 14:30, 18:00 - 22:00Location: 1 F, Junyue Hotel, Dongfang Square, No.1, Chang'an Street (East)Bus Route: 1, 4, 10, 20, 37, 59, 104, 201, 803Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant (Tuanjie Lake Branch)Chinese name: 大董烤鸭团结湖店（dà dǒng kǎo yā tuán jié hú diàn）Average Cost per Person: about CNY 130Hours: 10:00 - 22:00Location: No.3, Tuanjie Lake, Chaoyang DistrictBus Route: 105, 108Qi Tian Lou Restaurant is popular among gourmets for its delicious dishes and reasonable prices.Chinese name: 齐天楼 (qí tiān lóu)Location: No.26, East Street, Drum Tower, Dongcheng DistrictHong Yun Lou Roast Duck Restaurant offers roast duck of all kinds as well as some home cooking. Chinese name: 鸿运楼烤鸭店（hóng yùn lóu kǎo yā diàn）Location: No.14, Xidan Jie (North), Xicheng DistrictYi Pin Yuan Roast Duck Restaurant is the best restaurant serving roast duck and home cooking that is delicious but cheap.Chinese name: 一品园烤鸭店（yī pǐn yuán kǎo yā diàn）Location: No.24, Huangsi Jie, Xicheng DistrictLi Qun Roast Duck Restaurant is situated in a traditional compound courtyard. The environment and the flavor of the dishes will give the diner a real feeling of the locals.Chinese name: 利群烤鸭店（lì qún kǎo yā diàn）Location: No.11, Xiangfeng Hutong, Qianmen Jie (East), Chongwen DistrictBeijing Roast Duck Restaurant offers the traditional Beijing Roast Duck as well as the special roast duck - Su Bu Ni (crisp but not greasy) with low fat content. It is a better choice for the lady who is on a diet. Chinese name: 北京烤鸭店（běi jīng kǎo yā diàn）Location: No.3, north of Tuanjie Lake, Chaoyang DistrictLi Kang Roast Duck Restaurant offers visitors cheap but delicious roast duck. The Roast Lamb here is also popular.Chinese name: 利康烤鸭店（lì kāng kǎo yā diàn）Location: No.1, Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang Lu (South), Chaoyang DistrictSai Fei Ya Roast Duck Restaurant runs 24 hours a day, serving roast duck and family-style dishes of all flavors.Chinese name: 赛飞亚烤鸭店（sài fēi yà kǎo yā diàn）Location: southwest corner of Guanganmen Qiao, Xuanwu DistrictJiu Hua Shan Roast DuckChinese name: 九花山烤鸭（jǐu huā shān kǎo yā）Location: in the east gate of Workers' Stadium, Chaoyang DistrictQian Men Roast Duck RestaurantChinese name: 前门烤鸭店（qián mén kǎo yā diàn）Location: No.14, Qianmen Jie, Chongwen District

Beijing Cuisine :Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant 全聚德烤鸭店

Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant is one of the best restaurants serving Beijing Roast Duck. It has a history of nearly 150 years, and today there are many chain restaurants of it around the city. The following branches come highly recommended: the oldest Qianmen Branch as well as the two branches at Wangfujing Street and Hepingmen Gate.Here are the main branches of Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing:Quan Ju De Roast Duck Restaurant (Qianmen Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭前门店（quán jù dé kǎo yā qián mén diàn）Average Cost per Person: CNY 120 - 150Location: No.32, Qianmen Street, Chongwen DistrictOpening Hours: 11:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 20:30Bus Route: 20, 17, 53, 22, 59, 819, 110To support city planning, the restaurant in Qianmen Street has been closed for reconstruction from April to October, 2007. Quan Ju De Roast Duck Restaurant (Hongkun Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭鸿坤店（quán jù dé kǎo yā hóng kūn diàn）The new restaurant was opened on the second floor of Hongkun Hotel in April 26, 2007. It can serve meals to up to 500 people at the same time.Location: No.1, Guangan Street, Fengtai DistrictBus Route: 6, 38, 332, 321, 57, 704, 309, 390, 712, 122Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Wangfujing Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭王府井店（quán jù dé kǎo yā wáng fǔ jǐng diàn）Average Cost per Person: CNY 120 - 150Location: No.9, Shuaifuyuan Hutong, Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng DistrictOpening Hours: 11:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 20:00Bus Route: 803 Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Hepingmen Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭和平门店（quán jù dé kǎo yā hé píng mén diàn）Average Cost per Person: CNY 120 - 150Location: No.14, Qianmen Street (West), Xuanwu DistrictOpening Hours: 10:30 - 20:00Bus Route: 44, 48, 66, 14, 15, 707Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Guomen Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭国门店（quán jù dé kǎo yā guó mén diàn）Location: 1st floor, Jingxin Mansion, No.2 Jia, East 3rd Ring Road (North), Chaoyang DistrictOpening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00Bus Route: 300, 302, 419, 416, 718, 725, 730, 731, 830, 825, 847, 984, 985, 957, 96 Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Yayuncun Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭亚运村店（quán jù dé kǎo yā yà yùn cūn diàn）Average Cost per Person: CNY100Location: Unit A, No.309, Hui Zhong Bei Li, Chaoyang DistrictOpening Hours: 9:00 - 23:00Bus Route: 425, 752, 753 (get off at Datun Stop)Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Xicuilu Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭西翠路店（quán jù dé kǎo yā xī cuì lù diàn）Average Cost per Person: CNY90Location: No.9, Xicui Road, Haidian DistrictOpening Hours: 11:00 - 20:30Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Xiushui Branch)Chinese name: 全聚德烤鸭秀水店（quán jù dé kǎo yā xìu shuǐ diàn）Location: 6th floor, Xiushui Mansion, No.8, Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang District

Beijing Cuisine :Beijing Roast Duck北京烤鸭

According to a Chinese saying, no visit to Beijing is complete if you miss seeing the Great Wall or dining on Roast Duck. As a famous and delicious food with very long history, Beijing Roast Duck is an excellent choice if you want to understand more about Chinese cuisine, culture and customs.It is thought that Beijing roast duck, like the tradition of roast turkey in America, owes its origin to the roast goose that is still popular in Europe on festive occasions. Westerners like Marco Polo brought certain European customs to China and may have introduced the concept of roasting poultry to their Chinese hosts during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). Ducks had long been domesticated in China and the plump ducks proved to be an excellent substitute for goose in much the same way as the American colonizers found the native turkey to be. However, there is another school of thought based upon certain records that show roast duck has a much longer history dating back as far as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420 - 589). Up until the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279), ducks were roasted in the area around Jinling, today's Nanjing. However, the later Yuan Dynasty rulers moved their capital city to Beijing from Jinling and took with them their cuisine thus making roast duck popular in the city that was eventually to make it its very own specialty. The ducks were originally roasted in a conventional convection oven until Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) when roast ducks became a delicacy in the imperial menu and were highly regarded by emperors and other members of the ruling classes. The ducks used during this period were a special breed namely the White Beijing Duck and a new method of cooking was employed, by suspending the ducks over the flame in an open oven. These two traditional methods of cooking have resulted in the two major present day schools of roast duck preparation.The initial method has been perpetuated by very few restaurants among which Bianyi Fang (Convenient and Comfortable) Restaurant, established in 1861, is the most famous. There serves roast duck with a well-preserved traditional flavor. The second method is relatively well-known and used with great success by the Quan Ju De Restaurant. Today, Quan Ju De means Beijing Roast Duck to many Chinese people as well as foreign visitors.Over a long period of development exceeding some 140 years, a consummate and precise procedure for cooking Beijing Roast Duck has been firmly established: First, a suitable White Beijing Duck will be chosen for preparation. After the bird has been plucked, air is pumped between its skin and flesh. A small incision is made for the removal of the entrails. Secondly, and once the bird has been thoroughly cleaned, a wooden skewer is inserted through it to facilitate its hanging and ultimate heating; the body cavity is filled with water and the incision that had been made is closed.Thirdly, the skin of the duck is air dried and brushed with a layer of sugar.Fourthly, the duck is then put into a large oven, using a smokeless hardwood fuel and heating to about 270 degrees Centigrade for 30 to 40 minutes. The duck is turned frequently during the roasting process to ensure even cooking.Then the delicious roast duck is ready! It will be a shining date-red in color and unique in flavor; Beijing Roast Duck is characterized by its crispy skin and tender texture. Besides the traditional roast duck, many restaurants offer an All Duck Banquet - various dishes cooked with the offal and juices of the duck, surrounding the main dish. It will be sure to give you satisfaction and enjoyment when dining.In addition, there are some points to which you need to pay attention when having Beijing Roast Duck. The best seasons for eating it are spring, autumn and winter. The hot roast duck will be brought to the dining table by the chef where he will slice it into more than 100 thin flakes, each having its piece of crispy skin. The way to really enjoy the succulent meat is as follows: first take one of the small, thin pancakes provided and spread it with plum sauce, small slices of spring onions and then add some pieces of duck. Finally roll up the pancake and take a bite. You will be surprised by the terrific taste!

Chinese Cultures---Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen Square is one of the largest city squares in the world. It is situated in the heart of Beijing. Tian'anmen was built in 1417 and was the entrance gate to the Forbidden City. Now the square stretches 880 meters from north to south and 500 meters from east to west. The total area is 440,000 square meters. That's about the size of 60 soccer fields, spacious enough to accommodate half a million people.
Covering over forty hectares, Tian'anmen Square must rank as the greatest public square on earth. It's a modern creation, in a city that traditionally had no squares, as classical Chinese town planning did not allow for places where crowds could gather. Tian'anmen only came into being when imperial offices were cleared from either side of the great processional way that led south from the palace to Qianmen and the Temple of Heaven. The ancient north–south axis of the city was thus destroyed and the broad east–west thoroughfare, Chang'an Jie, that now carries millions of cyclists every day past the front of the Forbidden City, had the walls across its path removed. In the words of one of the architects: "The very map of Beijing was a reflection of the feudal society, it was meant to demonstrate the power of the emperor. We had to transform it, we had to make Beijing into the capital of socialist China." The easiest approach to the square is from the south, where there's a bus terminus and a subway stop. As the square is lined with railings (for crowd control) you can enter or leave only via the exits at either end or in the middle. Bicycles are not permitted, and the streets either side are one way; the street on the east side is for traffic going south, the west side for northbound traffic.
The square has been the stage for many of the epoch-making mass movements of twentieth-century China: the first calls for democracy and liberalism by the students of May 4, 1919, demonstrating against the Treaty of Versailles; the anti-Japanese protests of December 9, 1935, demanding a war of national resistance; the eight stage-managed rallies that kicked off the Cultural Revolution in 1966, when up to a million Red Guards at a time were ferried to Beijing to be exhorted into action and then shipped out again to shake up the provinces; and the brutally repressed Qing Ming demonstration of April 1976, in memory of Zhou Enlai, that first pointed towards the eventual fall of the Gang of Four.
Tian'anmen Square unquestionably makes a strong impression, but this concrete plain dotted with worthy statuary and bounded by monumental buildings can seem inhuman. Together with the bloody associations it has for many visitors it often leaves people cold, especially Westerners unused to such magisterial representations of political power. For many Chinese tourists though, the square is a place of pilgrimage. Crowds flock to see the corpse of Chairman Mao, others quietly bow their heads before the Monument to the Heroes, a thirty-metre-high obelisk commemorating the victims of the revolutionary struggle. Among the visitors you will often see monks, and the sight of robed Buddhists standing in front of the uniformed sentries outside the Great Hall of the People makes a striking juxtaposition. Others come just to hang out or to fly kites, but the atmosphere is not relaxed and a ￥5 fine for spitting and littering is rigorously enforced here. At dawn, the flag at the northern end of the square is raised in a military ceremony and lowered again at dusk, which is when most people come to see it. After dark, the square is at its most appealing and, with its sternness softened by mellow lighting, it becomes the haunt of strolling families and lovers.

Chinese Cultures---Forbidden City (Zijincheng)

The Forbidden City is located at the center of the city of Beijing. First built in 1406 and completed in 1420, the city served as the royal palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. During the Ming and the Qing Dynasties, 24 emperors lived here. Apart from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Complete Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and the East and West Inner Palaces, tourists can also pay a visit to the Exhibition Hall of Historical Relics, the Hall of Treasure, the Hall of Paintings, the Hall of Arts and Crafts, the Hall of Ceramics, the Hall of Bronze Ware, and the Hall of Clocks.
Forbidden City , The Gugong, or Imperial Palace, is much better known by its unofficial title, the Forbidden City, a reference to its exclusivity. Indeed, for the five centuries of its operation, through the reigns of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, ordinary Chinese were forbidden from even approaching the walls of the palace.Today the complex is open to visitors daily 8.30am–4.30pm, with last admission at 3.30pm (￥55, students ￥20). You have the freedom of most of the hundred-hectare site, though not all of the buildings, which are labelled in English. If you want detailed explanation of everything you see, you can tag on to one of the numerous tour groups or buy one of the many specialist books on sale. The audio tour (￥25), available by the south gate, is also worth considering. You're provided with a cassette player and headphones and suavely talked through the complex by Roger Moore – though if you do this, it's worth retracing your steps afterwards for an untutored view. Useful bus routes serving the Forbidden City are #5 from Qianmen, and #54 from Beijing Zhan, or you could use #1, which passes the complex on its journey along Chang'an Jie.

Chinese Cultures---Temple of Heaven - Tiantan

Set in its own large and tranquil park about 2km south of Tian'anmen along Qianmen Dajie, the Temple of Heaven (daily 6am–6pm; ￥30, students ￥0.5), is widely regarded as the high point of Ming design. For five centuries it was at the very heart of imperial ceremony and symbolism, and its architectural unity and beauty remain for most modern visitors more appealing – and on a much more accessible scale – than the Forbidden City. There are various bus routes to Tiantan: bus #36 runs from Tian'anmen past the west and south gates, while #20 and #54 pass the west gate on their way from Beijing Zhan down to Yongdingmen, also via Tian'anmen, and bus #41 from Chongwenmen stops opposite the east gate.
The temple was begun during the reign of Emperor Yongle and completed in 1420. It was conceived as the prime meeting point of Earth and Heaven, and symbols of the two are integral to its plan. Heaven was considered round, and Earth square, thus the round temples and altars stand on square bases, while the whole park has the shape of a semicircle sitting beside a square. The intermediary between Earth and Heaven was of course the Son of Heaven, the emperor, and the temple was the site of the most important ceremony of the imperial court calendar, when the emperor prayed for the year's harvests at the winter solstice. Purified by three days of fasting, he made his way to the park on the day before the solstice, accompanied by his court in all its panoply. On arrival, he would meditate in the Imperial Vault, ritually conversing with the gods on the details of government, before spending the night in the Hall of Prayer of Good Harvests. The following day, amid exact and numerological ritual, the emperor performed sacrifices before the Throne of Heaven at the Round Altar.
It was forbidden for the commoners of old Beijing to catch a glimpse of the great annual procession to the temple and they were obliged to bolt their windows and remain, in silence, indoors. The Tiantan complex remained sacrosanct until it was thrown open to the people on the first Chinese National Day of the Republic in October 1912. Two years after this, the infamous General Yuan Shikai performed the solstice ceremonies himself, as part of his attempt to be proclaimed emperor. He died before the year was out.

Chinese Cultures---Great Wall

"He Who Has Not Climbed the Great Wall Is Not a Real Man"-popular Chinese saying. The Wall extends for 3,000 kilometers from the seaside in Shanhaiguan in northeast China to Jiayu Pass in Gansu Province, crossing five provinces and two autonomous regions. The most imposing sections of the Great Wall today are located at Badaling, Mutianyu and Jinshanling.
This is a Great Wall and only a great people with a great past could have a great wall and such a great people with such a great wall will surely have a great future. --Richard M.Nixon
The most commonly told fact about the Great Wall – that it is the one man-made structure visible from the moon – is perhaps the most impressive. But other statistics are close rivals. The wall was begun in the fifth century BC, continued until the sixteenth century and stretches some 6000km across China. Today's surviving sections, placed end to end, would link New York with Los Angeles, and if the bricks used to build it were made into a single wall 5m high and 1m thick, it would more than encircle the earth. Even at ground level, and along the small, most-visited section at Badaling, constantly overrun by Chinese and foreign tourists, Wan Li Changcheng (The Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li), is clearly the PRC's most spectacular sight.
The Chinese have walled their cities since earliest times and during the Warring States period, around the fifth century BC, simply extended the practice to separate rival territories. The Great Wall's origins lie in these fractured lines of fortifications and in the vision of Qin Shi Huang, who, unifying the empire in the third century BC, joined and extended the sections to form one continuous defence against barbarians. Under subsequent dynasties – the Han, Wei, Qi and Sui – the wall was maintained and, in response to shifting regional threats, grew and changed course. It did lose importance for a while, with Tang borders extending well to the north, then shrinking back under the Song, but with the emergence of the Ming it again became a priority, and military technicians worked on its reconstruction right through the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.
For much of its history, the wall was hated. Qin Shi Huang's wall, particularly, was a symbol of brutal tyranny – he wasted the country's wealth and worked thousands to death in building it. It is estimated that he mobilized nearly a million people to construct it, but other dynasties surpassed even that figure. Many of the labourers were criminals, but in the Sui dynasty, when there weren't enough men left for the massive project, widows were pressed into service. A Song-dynasty poem expresses a common sentiment:
The wall is so tall because it is stuffed with the bones of soldiers,
The wall is so deep because it is watered with the soldiers' blood.
The irony, of course, is that the seven-metre-high, seven-metre-thick wall, with its 25,000 battlements, did not work. Successive invasions crossed its defences (Genghis Khan is supposed to have merely bribed the sentries), and it was in any case of little use against the sea powers of Japan and later Europe. But the wall did have significant functions. It allowed the swift passage through the empire of both troops and goods – there is room for five horses abreast most of the way – and, perhaps as important, it restricted the movement of the nomadic peoples in the distant, non-Han minority regions.
During the Qing dynasty, the Manchus let the wall fall into disrepair as it had proved no obstacle to their invasion. Slowly the wall crumbled away, useful only as a source of building material. Now, though, the Great Wall, as Nixon might have added, is great business. At the restored sections, Badaling, and to a lesser extent, Mutianyu, the wall is daily besieged by masses of visitors. It's possible to escape the crowds at Simatai, as yet untouched by development – though get there quickly. Other places to see the wall are at Shanhaiguan ("The Pass Between the Mountains and the Sea"), Zhangye (a stopover for caravans) and Jiayuguan (the last fortress on the wall).

Welcome to Beijing Ancient Observatory

Welcome to Beijing
Ancient Observatory

In ancient China, the Emperor ruled as an earthly representative of a supreme celestial ruler; therefore it was extremely important to study the heavens in order to steer the country in the right direction. In fact, the Ming Dynasty was aided by Jesuit missionaries in its examinations of the stars in the 17th century. This observatory dates from 1442 and houses an impressive collection of stargazing devices.

Welcome to Beijing Acrobats at Chaoyang Theater

Welcome to Beijing
Acrobats at Chaoyang Theater

This theater is a showcase of spectacular Chinese acrobatics made famous in the West by visiting circuses. Individual and synchronized acrobats show off their well-honed skills. Additional props like bicycles, barrels, and seesaws, provide a mesmerizing show with impressive showmanship.

Welcome to Beijing's Hutongs

Welcome to Beijing

Beijing's Hutongs

Despite the advent of time, Beijing is still riddled with these long, winding alleyways where families have lived for centuries in their own communities. Spend an afternoon wandering around - it may feel intrusive at first, but you will be welcomed with curiosity and interest by neighbors who are cooking, gossiping, or playing mah jong and cards. Guided hutong tours are available but it's the process of discovery that is rewarding and satisfying.

Welcome to Beihai Park Beijing

Welcome to Beijing
Beihai Park
Beihai means 'North Lake' and this park contains Beijing's most enjoyable public waterway, with amusement park rides, restaurants, and snack stalls. Paddle boats can be rented to enjoy the tranquil experience of floating on the placid lake, or for the more adventurous, mount the stairs of the white Tibetan pagoda to enjoy a view of Zhongnanhai, the heavily guarded residential compound where China's leaders live.

Beijing Attractions

Welcome to Beijing
Top 5 Attractions

NO.1 Lama Temple

Beijing's most impressive Tibetan Buddhist temple has five main halls and various interesting galleries to explore, with English speaking guides available for private tours The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Fortunes is particularly a must-see, boasting the 26-meter high Maitreya Buddha. An active temple, 500 monks reside there providing a glimpse into the monastic life.

NO.2 The Great Wall

It doesn't get more scenic than the Great Wall. Three choices are available: Badaling, an hour from the city, the most convenient and thus most popular part of the Wall; Mutianyu, further and more spectacular (and also a more demanding hike); and Simatai, remote and generally unrestored. All three have cable cars operating for those looking for a less arduous way to see the spectacular views.

NO.3 Summer Palace

This imperial retreat dates from 1153, but only took its present form in 1750 when Emperor Qianlong had it built for his mother as a birthday present. It was from here that the Empress Dowager ruled for a few years at the start of the twentieth century. More a park than a palace, the beautiful lakes, bridges, halls, and temples make this a place to spend at least half a day, either leisurely rowing a boat on the lake in the summer; or gliding across the frozen waters in winter.

NO.4 Temple of Heaven

Built with feng shui principles in mind, visitors can content themselves with a walk around the impressive temple grounds. Highlights are the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Echo Wall, where whispers supposedly travel across the courtyard.

NO.5 Ming Tombs

Thirteen of the Ming Dynasty's 16 emperors are buried outside Changping, about 50 km north of Beijing. It is advisable to rent a car as transport is needed to travel between tombs. Flanked by stone sculptures of imperial advisors and various animals, a 'spirit way' takes visitors up the 7 km to the major two restored tombs. From there, you can hike or drive to the unrestored tombs and even visit a traditional walled village.

Welcome to Beijing China

Beijing
Capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is under the direct administration of the Central Government and is the center of politics, culture, and international exchange. It is also one of the nation’s largest centres for industry, finance and tradeFamous for its long history and splendid culture, the city is undergoing big changes in the drive for modernisation. In 1986, some of the city’s most scenic destinations were chosen as the Sixteen Sights of Beijing, and include Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu, Beihai Park, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Fragrant Hill, Shidu Scenic Spot, Relics of Primitive at Zhoukoudian, Longqing Gorge, Big Bell Temple, White Dragon Pond, Ming Tombs, Lugou Bridge and the Grand View Garden.Although traffic can be dense at times, navigating through the city is easy, whether by bus, taxi or metro. Outside rush hour, metered taxis are good value although it is advisable to have your destination written down in Mandarin to avoid confusion.Beijing's winters are cold and dry with occasional snow and average temperatures reach well below zero in January, when the city is at its most picturesque. Temperatures peak in July and the summers are hot and sunny with plenty of rain. Autumn is probably the most pleasant season to visit the city.

After Beijing's 'green Olympics'

With the flame now extinguished at the "Bird’s Nest" stadium, China should unite the country around the great successes – and formidable challenges – of the green Olympics.

When the Olympic flag was unfurled at the "Bird’s Nest" stadium in Beijing, the Chinese leaders at the scene must have been wondering what the Games would mean to China after the closing ceremonies. The 51 gold medals won by China have probably been enough to ease the pain and frustration of their star athlete Liu Xiang’s sudden departure from the 110-metre hurdles.
This year, the Chinese people have experienced the tragic Sichuan earthquake and the glory of Olympic fanfare, uniting us in sorrow and pain as well as inspiring us with the spirit of international cooperation. With such a dramatic backdrop, it is inevitable that the Chinese people feel a sense of loss after the Olympics. China and its people will need to look for a new cause to unite the country—a cause championed by its leaders and pursued by its people.
In fact, China has already embarked on the path of this cause. These Olympics were advertised as the “green Olympics.” From banning plastic bags to shutting down factories and reducing the number of cars on the road, Beijing has started to create an environmental and people-friendly city. And in the past 10 years, Beijing citizens, for the first time, can experience the convenience of public transportation and unclogged roads as well as improved air quality.
From the presence of numerous state leaders at the opening ceremony to the thousands of Olympic volunteers, Chinese authorities should realise that the international community and the Chinese people have all been wishing China well. The communist rulers should have confidence in their own people that we can help find environmental solutions for China’s unparalleled environmental challenges. Just as athletes need support and freedom to train for gold medals, so do citizens and civil society organizations need support and freedom to help China find effective environmental solutions that will benefit the entire country.
Prior to the Olympics, most of these nongovernmental groups have been screened due to fear that they could create trouble during the Games. But this fear has proven to be unwarranted. Instead, the government should regard these groups as natural allies and should work together with them to protect the environment, reduce poverty, improve education, fight diseases, and protect public health.
The Chinese public must be at the forefront of an effective response to China’s environmental challenges. Currently, China’s environmental movement is organising conservation efforts, leading education programs, and engaging community members in volunteer work. Chinese environmental organisations also have a unique opportunity to work with the government to implement environmental regulations and emulate Beijing’s environmental achievements nationwide.
All of China’s impressive progress and accomplishments to address pollution issues prior to the Olympics have been paralleled with continued environmental challenges across the country: pollution continues to impact the environment and human health in major cities and rural provinces. While the Beijing 2008 Olympics have elevated the status of environmental protection in China, I hope that the improvements we have seen in Beijing will be replicated across the country and continue long after the Olympic Games’ closing ceremonies.
As one of the countries that hold the key to saving the world from environmental destruction, China can help lead efforts to protect the environment. Now, after the closing ceremonies have ended and the international attention has gone away, the real Olympic challenge begins. China made enormous progress dealing with its environmental issues during the Olympics. Can China maintain and advance these environmental gains after the Olympics, benefiting people throughout China? Can China adapt its successes in Beijing to address the environmental challenges throughout China’s vast provinces?
China has a new challenge after the Olympics—one that is arguably even more important than this celebration of humanity and international cooperation that occurs once every four years. Now that the Olympic flame has been extinguished at the Bird’s Nest stadium, China’s leaders and people need to work together to protect the environment. Even more than the Olympics, this new cause that can unite China, its leaders, and its people will define China’s legacy in the future.