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Day Two- Beijing

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You can’t go to China without visiting the Great Wall. This historic wall stretches east-west for more than 5,000 kilometers and dates back to the seventh century BC. The wall was constructed by independent kingdoms to keep out marauding nomads and was later linked together by China’s first emperor. It offers spectacular views and is itself one of mankind’s greatest architectural achievements.

Another famous landmark you really should try to see is Tiananmen Gate. Built in 1417, this gate is 33.7 meters high and consists of a terrace and a tower where visitors can see a panoramic view of the city. It was opened to the public in 1988 and has been renovated four times in the past 50 years. Tiananmen is considered the center to Beijing.

For lunch, head over to Annie’s for the finest pizza in Beijing. The food is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the service can’t be beat. The restaurant is decorated in earthy shade of red, orange, and yellow. The waiters speak good English and are very attentive. If pizza isn’t what you’re craving, try one of their amazing pasta dishes. The Carbonara is fantastic. Kids can even make their own mini-pizzas to be cooked by the chef. Annie’s opens for lunch at 11am every day.

If you have time, head next to the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is a complex that has 70 structures and more than 9,000 rooms. It was once the residence of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and is surrounded by a high wall and a moat. In the early 20th century, it was tuned into a museum and now houses a collection of over 900,000 fine treasures. There is a royal garden located behind the palace. Admission is CNY30 for a regular ticket and CNY50 for an all-inclusive ticket.

For dinner, you should check out the Courtyard Restaurant. Rated as one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world by Conde Naste magazine, this coolly elegant, first-class restaurant features candles, glass, white walls, and contemporary Chinese artwork. It is the ideal spot for a romantic evening or an important business dinner. The menu is a blend of pan-Asian and Western and the cooks specialize in nouveau fusion cooking. After dinner, try something from their impressive menu of after-dinner drinks and desserts.

Next Page: Day Three- Shanghai

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