Travel: Beijing

Just thought of sharing my travel itinerary. April 19,2012 - 25th April 2012

Day 1, 

upon reaching the airport, took a shuttle bus to Xi Dan, which cost abt $20rmb per pax. and transfer to their MRT and alight at tian an men dong station.

after checking in Sunrise Hostel  http://www.sunrisehostel.com/, < basic facilities, good maintaince, friendly staff, awesome food.>

we went for lunch at one of the resturant along the streets which cost abt $50rmb for 2 persons. and the food was too much 

After which we head to Tian An Men and Zhong Shan Park which cost abt $10rmb per person

but it was worth the visit as the tulips are in bloom!

After which we went to one of their walking street, (can't remember the name)

personally i think it's too commercialized and the shopping isn't that great either. so all the prices are jacked up i supposed.

Dinner was at Quan Ju De, the beijing roast duck, which cost us an arm and leg. and yes, overrated,  

Day 2,

Had Breakfast along the streets and had this beancurd thing that smell of smelly beancurd. =< but the fried doughsticks were nice.

cost abt less then $30rmb for 2 persons

went on their train to the summer palace 

as crowded as singapore during peak hours

$30rmb per person and it doesn't include all the places inside the summer palace!

additional $10rmb

 but a worthwhile place to go!

didn't manage to go explore the other places, cause was damn tired already, the places is full of uphills and downhills

in the evening went for their acrobatics show, not too bad

Can't remember how much was this.

Day 3

breakfast along one of the shops again! it was nice. tad salty tho. 

cost: abt $30rmb for 2 persons

went to forbidden city afterwards, there are guided tours chinese version was $10rmb and other languages is $40 rmb for rental

it was too freaking crowded, escape after 2 hrs inside

went to silk street afterwards and it a place to get fake branded. remember to bargain, at least at 1/2 the price offered. =)

think we went to Xi Dan shopping destrict after this, the shopping there is good, but clothes are only S - L sizes. 

went to the night food street near our hostel, nothing much

 beef balls soup was nice. 

Day 4:

book a tour to Jin Shan Ling Great Wall, less people there. but a really tough climb.

tough climb 

After Jin Shan Ling, basically i am quite dead. 

6 hrs to and fro the great wall. beated.

but an awesome experience, not for the physically weak tho. a must go, if you can

Day 5: Tian Tan

 remember to get the through tickets, if not the separate tickets will end up costing more.

next stop was the yong he gong

where yong zheng stayed for a period of time before it was converted into a temple.

 interesting ticket. a cd of some sort

Day 6: 

RAiny day and freezing cold. so went to the museum and it was free!

 went to beijing zoo after that

remember to get through tickets too. $130 rmb per person

 panda

 bulga? or soemthing like tt

the olympic stadium

water cube

dinner in hostel. awesome. $25 rmb for a giant portion

Day 7: Home sweet Home