DK Travel : Beijing

At the heart of Beijing is tradition, given physical form in the mighty Forbidden City, from where successive imperial dynasties have ruled since the 15th century. Neighboring Tian’an Men Square is the China of recent history, of red-flag socialism and Mao. But this is also a city on the move, as an all-pervading spirit of change makes Beijing the most 21st-century of capitals.

Oriental Plaza Food Court

A huge array of international fast foods at the bottom of Wangfujing (see Oriental Plaza Food Court).
Oriental Plaza Food Court

The basement of this upscale shopping mall has a Southeast Asian-style food court offering everything from Chinese street foods to sushi.
Panjiayuan Antique Market

Set the alarm for dawn for a treasure hunt down at Beijing’s sprawling flea market, where anything and everything turns up eventually (see Panjiayuan Antique Market).
Panjiayuan Antique Market

As much a tourist attraction as a shopping experience, Panjiayuan is home to around 3,000 dealers peddling everything from broken bicycles to family heirlooms. Come for Mao memorabilia, a Qing-dynasty vase, or yellowing Tintin comics in Chinese. The market kicks off daily at 4:30am, and is at its busiest, best, and most chaotic at the weekends. Serious collectors swoop at dawn, but it’s fun any time.
Paper

A prototype paper was made from mulberry bark, although bamboo, hemp, linen, and silk were also used to write on.
Paper money

Developed by Chinese merchants as certificates of exchange. Lighter than coins, bills were soon adopted by the government.
Park Plaza Hotel

The stylish new Park Plaza is a peaceful oasis in a fast developing precinct. Rooms feature designer touches and the hotel is convenient for Wangfujing Dajie and the Forbidden City.
Pass By Bar

It may be book-filled but the atmosphere is anything but hushed at this lending library-cum-café/bar (see Pass By Bar).
Pass By Bar

On a hutong dotted with several hostels, Pass By is a well- established travelers’ haunt. Two attractive rooms wrap around a pretty courtyard; food is a cut above, and there’s a lending library and guidebooks for salePass By Bar.
Peacock

(Gu Changwei; 2005) The tribulations of a working-class family in a small rural town.

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