Beijing Guide – The Great Wall (Badaling)
As the Chinese national hero Mao Zedong once said, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man”. It speaks volumes that of the 7 wonders of the World, this is the most well-known of them all. A feat of incredible human engineering demonstrating the sheer power of a nation…
Hong Kong: Love/Hate
Despite my very short time spent in Hong Kong, quickly it became apparent that travellers have very mixed emotions to the country. Some will sing the praises of the mystical land which which is world known, where others despise everything that it has become. People’s opinions vary quite considerably, and I can see why. …
Hong Kong
Hong Kong; it’s the city that casts up images of antique wooden junks barging their way through the hordes of other equally ancient boats along the dividing oceans that separate the chaotic madness amongst the narrow streets of enthusiastic business. The mysterious land that has provided so much in the form of pop culture from…
The Life of an ESL Teacher in China
I never imagined that there was ever a possibility of becoming a teacher, let alone being a teacher abroad. However, 9 months after my very nerve-racking first day, it’s time to reflect on life as an ESL teacher. What’s the work like? How difficult is it and how demanding? Its important to remember that life…
Beijing Guide: The Temple of Heaven
When a typical person is asked to picture Beijing, they’ll most likely cast up images of the Great Wall, the mighty Forbidden City or perhaps the neighbouring Tiananmen Square. For most Beijingers, the Temple of Heaven is one of the country’s greatest national treasures, representing as the perfect example of their unique culture and history,…
Beijing: Transport
One of the biggest downfalls of backpacking cities is the sheer size and distance needed to travel from A to B. Everything is spread out far and wide requiring a network of different transport to get there. Despite the horrendously enormous size of Beijing and its surrounding burrows, its surprising to find such efficient and…
Beijing Guide: The Summer Palace
China as a whole has an excessive nature; bigger is better. This can be seen with the endlessly snaking wonder of the world, and the city centre holding the infamous Tiananmen square and the monumental structures that surround it. However when it comes to shear grandness, an amazing example of extravagant beauty. The Summer Palace…
Travel Guide: Beijing
China stand proudly as one of the world’s biggest superpowers, so its only appropriate that their capital should boast the development, history and culture that has made this nation great. A unique nation which stands alone with its incredibly powerful and influential culture that has seeped into every corner of the Earth. There is no…
Beijing Guide: Yonghegong Lama Temple
Nestled in the heart of the city in between the bright lights and chaotic streets of central Beijing, you’ll find the peaceful oasis of spirituality known by many names. To some its marvellously named the Harmony and Peace Palace Lamasery, but what most know as the Yonghegong Lama Temple. This stands as the largest and…
Beijing – The Most Secure City on Earth?
On first impressions to the bewildered traveller, Beijing might look like the most secure and protected city on Earth. The sheer number and variety of security found throughout this enormous capital makes it seem so. It can leave a very confusing impression, particularly after some lasting observation. Of course there’s plenty of malicious rumours and…