06 May 2016

Sunny In Beijing China

Hello world. Hope you all are having a great week. 

Beijing China, Sunny In Beijing China, China, Sunny In Every Country, Great Wall Of China

Last week, I traveled to Beijing China for the first time. I just came back to the States. I am a bit jet lagged from the 12 hours time difference and almost 14 hours plane ride. But I must admit, it was worth the burden on my body. 

China is the most populated country on the planet. It’s capital, Beijing is hectic and busy yet fun packed with things to do and places to explore. You could spend weeks exploring the different attractions of the city, getting lost in the hutongs and sampling the local dishes. With just a week in China, I wanted to see and experience as much as I could.

China, Beijing, Sunny In Every Country, Sunny In China

China, Beijing, Sunny In Every Country, Sunny In China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

BEFORE TRAVELING TO CHINA

You probably already know you need to have a valid passport for visiting China. But you also need an appropriate visa. Visas are issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate general serving your area. You can deal in person with the embassy or consulate, or you can ask a travel agent to manage the process for you. Special visa agents can also arrange your visa for you (for agents, google search “get china visa”) but these services will cost extra on top of the visa itself. Also the cost and processing time frame is very important.  I will suggest getting multiple entries because it cost the same and less headaches if you want to visit neighboring countries while in China. U.S Citizens pay more compare to other nationalities. For U.S Citizens, the cost is $140 for single, multiply and the length of stay. For non U.S the cost varies $30-$90. 

Another thing that is crucial is knowing that not all websites, social media are available in China. Gmail, Google, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and many other sites and social media are blocked in China. If you plan on staying connected with family and friends, I suggest you get a VPN. It basically gives you access to all the blocked sites and social media. It can be frustrating because the internet speed may still be slower than you are used to. I suggest downloading the VPN before traveling to China. I ordered Express VPN which was less than $13 for 30 days. There are cheaper VPN out there but after hours of research, Express VPN was the fastest and most reliable.

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Lastly, for non-Asians especially Blacks, be aware that there may be stares from the locals and you may even be asked for a photo. For the less exposed Chinese, seeing another race is so rare for them especially blacks.  My advise, have an open mind and don’t take it personal.

Sunny In Beijing China

Almost 14 hours flight from Washington Dulles Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport 

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I met two amazing young men my first night in Beijing that showed me around. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Basset Khan is an Afghan student studying in Beijing. I met him on Instagram. I was crazy to send him a message asking if we can meet and he was crazy enough to gladly say yes. He explained his experience so far in China and the differences with his culture. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Amari is from Albania. He is currently teaching English to Chinese primary kids. I met him at the airport while trying to find my way through the subway. He was nice enough to not only showing me my way from the airport but actually took me to my first apartment in Beijing and showed me around that night. There are amazing souls out in the world but you will never know them if you don’t travel out of your comfort zone. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Amari decided we should visit Houhai Lake. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Amari and Basset joined in the kicking of a colorful item that I cannot describe with the locals while I take pictures of them. 

Sunny In Beijing China

I decided to buy the colorful item and the bunny ears for my niece. 

China, Beijing, Sunny In Every Country

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

The seller noticed I was struggling trying to put the ears on so she came to fix it for me. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

The subway stops running around 10 or 11pm. I had to take a taxi back to the apartment. 

Sunny In Beijing China

The first Airbnb I rented was simple and clean. The host was very helpful in making sure I get to the apartment. She gave me details directions and even provided pictures of the roads. 

China, Beijing, Sunny In Every Country

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing

I took the subway and Railway train to the Great Wall

Sunny In Beijing China

The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the world. There are different sections of the wall which you can visit. Badaling is the most visited; it’s the most refurbished. I chose Badaling because it’s was the closest even though everyone I spoke to in China advised I visit the other sections. I honestly don’t see a difference if you visit as early as possible in the morning to avoid the crowds. I went late so there were many tourists. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing

Sunny In Beijing

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I was lost in the middle of no where. This guy was nice enough to take me back to the right direction. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

The Great Wall Of China

There are many shops, restaurants and even hotel at the Great Wall Of China Badaling.

China, Beijing, The Great Wall

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

If it’s one thing I have in common with the Chinese I met during my stay in Beijing is picture taking. They love, love, looooovvvve taking pictures.

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Option to take the North or South side at the Balding Great Wall. I decided to take the North Side. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I was getting tired at this point. I was so close to turning back around. 

Sunny In Beijing China

I made myself proud by making it to the fourth tower. I celebrated by drinking water and taking more selfies.  

Sunny In Beijing China

This was suppose to be the perfect shot until I got photobombed.

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

While I was trying to take my perfect picture, these amazing, fearless women were too excited to see a black person. So they anxiously asked for a picture.

China, Beijing, Great Wall Of China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Walking back down was not as tiring. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I took the 2 Railing train back to the city. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

From downtown Beijing, I took the subway to my next apartment. Notice, I am saying subway and train. In the states, I say train and subway interchangeably, but in China, train and subway are very different. 

Sunny In Beijing China

This apartment was adorable. I loved its minimalist design yet very stylish. The host Raymond and his wife Rebecca were beyond amazing. Raymond gave me so much information prior to traveling to China. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

The next day, I walked around the neighborhood pretending to be a local holding a camera.

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I stumbled upon delicious street food while exploring the neighborhood. 

Sunny In Beijing China

The next day, I checked into my last apartment in Beijing. I definitely saved the best  for last! It was a beautiful two bedroom apartment with exquisite details. Daniel was the best host and he made my stay so stress free. He served as a great tour guide for some discovery around the city and he also played interpreter and photographer effortlessly. We became fast friends and I am glad to have made a great friend for life in Beijing.

 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Beijing, China, Sunny In Every Country, Airbnb

The pictures doesn’t do this apartment  justice. From every room, you can get the perfect view of the city.  

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I loved the perfume collection in the hallway. 

Sunny In Beijing China

I told the host not to bother fixing the other bedroom since I was traveling alone. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

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Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

After Daniel showed me around the apartment. We went to the Forbidden City

Sunny In Beijing China

The Forbidden City is a maze of temples and shrines. You could spend days exploring the grounds of the walled off city admiring the colorful temples and the various deities dotted throughout the complex.  Called Gu Gong in Chinese, it was the imperial palace for twenty-four emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was first built within 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu  in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ancient Chinese Astronomers believed that the Purple Star (Polaris) was in the center of heaven and the Heavenly Emperor lived in the Purple Palace.  Purple City is the earthly palace of the Emperor. It was forbidden to enter without special permission of the emperor. Hence its name ‘The Purple Forbidden City’, usually ‘The Forbidden City’. I was told it has 9,999 rooms. The number 9 is a symbol of luck in Chinese. 

Sunny In Beijing China

You can take the subway to the Forbidden City

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

The Forbidden City, China, Beijing

Sunny In Beijing ChinaI noticed a lot of Chinese touching the doors. I was told they are doing it for luck. So I joined the bandwagon, hopeful to get luck in traveling to every country in the world. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

The Forbidden City, Beijing China, Sunny In Every Country

Sunny In Beijing China

The Forbidden City

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

After the Forbidden City, Daniel and I went to this georgous restaurant called Dian Cao Xiang. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

My amazing host Daniel!

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I realized the Chinese food I was used to eating in the States was not the real Chinese food. Sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, beef and broccoli… Yeah, Chinese people don’t eat that. Instead, you’ll find more cooked vegetables and simple meat dishes. Different, but delicious.

Sunny In Beijing China

Daniel picked me up the next day for breakfast. I didn’t know where we were going because I told him I am ok with going anywhere for a quick breakfast since I didn’t have much time left to explore that day. We came to this coffee shop. It’s was simply gorgeous and the food was insanely delicious. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

It rained heavily on my last day in China. I guess mother nature didn’t want me to leave( dry joke). I almost didn’t go to Temple of Heaven but it dawned on me that I am in another country, rain or shine, I must explore and Daniel was also crazy enough to come with me. We had a blast in the rain exploring. 

Sunny In Beijing China

The Temple of Heaven Park is located in the Chongwen District, Beijing. Originally, this was the place where emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) held the Heaven Worship Ceremony. It is China’s largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China’s ancient sacrificial buildings. First built in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), it was enlarged and rebuilt during the reigns of the Ming emperor Jiajing and the Qing emperor Qianlong. In 1988, it was opened to the public as a park, showing ancient philosophy, history and religion. Its grand architectural style and profound cultural connotation give an insight into the practices of the ancient Eastern civilization.

Temple Of Heaven China

Temple Of Heaven, China, Beijing

I said to Daniel “I guess we are not the only ones crazy enough to explore in the rain.”

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Temple Of Heaven

My camera got wet in the rain 

Temple Of Heaven China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

On my last day I went to the mall for a quick lunch. This mall I was told is one of the smallest mall in Beijing. It left me wondering what the bigger mall must look like. 

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

After eating this delicious noodle, it was time to go back to the apartment, pack and head to the airport.

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

Sunny In Beijing China

I can’t sell China as being a perfect experience, free of worries. Being an English speaker, there was a language barrier which made interaction with the locals a bit more difficult. Then there is the air pollution. The slow internet was a little frustrating and took some time getting used to. But in all , I have a fantastic time . If you are up for adventure and a chance to change your mind about the world’s biggest, oldest, and possibly soon-to-be the most powerful nation on Earth, I highly recommend going yourself.

Sunny In Beijing China

I hope this post helps inspire you guys to visit China!

Please do not use my photos without permission.