Welcome to Beijing, between traditional habitats and colossal buildings; between hidden treasures and wonders inscribed on the heritage of humanity; between traditional way of life and excessive modernity! Welcome to Beijing, a colourful capital that you must take the time to walk around, to smell, to finally grasp this "Chinese identity" sometimes so decried in the West. And keep in mind that a trip to Beijing is an adventure, especially since here the landmarks are blurred, the social codes different and the writing mysterious. Welcome to Beijing, the administrative capital of the last red bureaucrats and yet the Mecca of world finance. Welcome to Beijing, capital of all possibilities!
Describing Beijing and introducing this huge city to passing travelers is a daunting task. It's a challenge as the city changes, evolves and grows - gaining more and more ground in the surrounding countryside. It is also difficult because China is also feeling the full impact of globalisation (issues of the "uberisation" of work or security are also very much in evidence here) and life in the capital can thus seem - sometimes - or very similar to life in the major European capitals or radically different. As long as the great upheavals in our world do not prevent you from coming here to see how the Chinese intend to respond to them and how Beijing is constantly reinventing itself. A historical setting, a bubble of modernity, Beijing is in constant motion, torn between an inescapable cultural heritage and the irresistible desire to make the most of a life that has become easier. The city is changing so fast that the Pekingese themselves sometimes have trouble finding their way around. But this dynamism makes Beijing an endearing city, full of surprises and discoveries. A city that retains all its charm, even after years of assiduous exploration..
Because Beijing is home to dozens of possibilities for travellers - wealthy or not. So, if you like luxury cars, an evening in front of Sanlitun Village will allow you to see an incessant ballet of these big cars, some of them tuned in a rather intriguing way. For lovers of traditional Chinese culture, a visit to the downtown Hutong will allow you to touch the soul of the capital and its inhabitants. For those contemplating architectural prowess, don't miss a trip - even a quick one - to Chaoyang's business centre, between the CCTV Tower or The Place mall. Also, historians - budding or not - will rejoice during a short trip back in time between the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen or the former legation district. Yes, a trip to Beijing is all this and much more that you will find along the alleys ..
The palace paradise
Beijing is also a mecca for gastronomy. The Chinese are very proud of their cuisine, which, according to them, has no competition. And Beijing, which welcomes people from all over the country, does indeed offer an unforgettable culinary experience. The pronounced flavours of Pekingese lacquered duck are matched by the spices of Sichuan. The sweet sweetness of Cantonese cuisine is underlined by the musky tastes of Xinjiang dishes. The violence of baijiu, the Chinese rice alcohol, the essential drink of Chinese banquets, is tempered by the sweetness of the yellow wine of Shaoxing (huangjiu). Whether you're a fan of noodle bowls, eaten in haste in small street stalls, or the precious banquets of imperial cuisine, Beijing offers a real festival for the taste buds!
A destination in the heart of the Middle Kingdom
If China is the Middle Kingdom, then Beijing is the Middle Kingdom. Protected by the inescapable Great Wall from external aggressions (which nowadays take the form of sandstorms rather than barbarian invasions!), the multi-faceted capital city offers a summary of the country and its contradictions. The architectural tradition of Prince Gong's residence, the Shishahai lake district and above all the Forbidden City is a response to the very design buildings of the Chaoyang business district, the Sanlitun malls or the concentric outskirts of a city that has become sprawling. The latter is one of the great architectural legacies of ancient China and one of the only imperial palaces still standing in China today! It served as a residence for the emperors of the last two dynasties, Ming and Qing, and was built in only 14 years between 1406 and 1420. The speed with which this 74-hectare complex was built, surrounded by a 50-metre wide water ditch and a 10-metre high wall, is quite astonishing! More than 200,000 craftsmen participated in the construction and a supreme sophistication of building techniques, combining modernity and tradition, went into the design of this masterpiece. The city was totally cut off from the outside world until 1924, when Puyi, the last of the twenty-four emperors who succeeded him, was driven out. The palace and its 9,999 rooms (not one more) is today one of the largest museums in the world, an astonishing witness to the imperial golden age
To make the most of it, the Novotel Beijing Peace is conveniently located close to the Forbidden City, but also close to major shopping areas. It is equipped with all modern comforts and offers swimming pool, sauna, gym, and hairdressing salon. The service is impeccable and you will also enjoy the views of Beijing from the 19th floor! It is therefore ideal to be in the heart of the city and to be part of this true historical route, which allows you to navigate from the time of the emperors to that of the proclamation of the People's Republic, from Tian'anmen Square to the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, from the street of the antique dealers, which offers vestiges of the dynasties and souvenirs of the Cultural Revolution, to the office towers that remind you that Beijing is today a world city. At the same time consumerist capital and spiritual city, Beijing feels its heart beating at different tempos
Smart info
When? Beijing enjoys a continental climate (cold and dry in winter, hot and not very humid in summer) with temperatures that easily drop to -20°C in winter and rise - just as easily - to +40°C in summer. Spring and autumn are usually the best times to travel to Beijing and all of China. However, despite its temperatures well below zero, winter can be a good season to discover Beijing under blue skies if one is not too afraid of the cold (especially since it is often at this time that pollution is least felt). The high tourist season covers the periods from March to October and the low season from November to February. Basically, spring/summer and fall (high season) and winter (low season).
Getting there. Count on average between €650 and €900 for a return flight between Paris and Beijing.
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Lodging. A good option to put down your suitcases.
NOVOTEL BEIJING PEACE - More information on the site
Useful. In order to best prepare for his trip.
PEKIN TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
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