Beijing first camping park brings nature closer

Urbanites rarely get the chance to go outside the city. But for those who don’t want to look like homebodies yet would rather not spend half a day stuck in traffic trying to escape the downtown, there’s now another option: a huge camping park inside the city.

Tibet season – A 10-day exploration of the holy plateau

August is Tibet’s month to shine. With festivals such as the Shoton Festival and Horse Racing Festival, visitors are privy to some of the most stunning plateau scenes of the year.

Boarding with a local family in Xicheng

In 2008, a program called “Olympic Family” paired foreign tourists with locals who provided them room and board, essentially acting as a hotel.

A white house in Hangzhou

Unlike in other parts of Hangzhou, tourists are few and traffic is light at Baileqiao, where Beijing photographer Chen Yan, her friend Cai Yan, a graphic designer in Guangzhou, and two others built their dream house: a six-room boutique hotel called Uhouse.

Hiking arcadian mountain peaks

Haituo Mountain, not yet developed for tourism, is worth exploring for just that reason. Located on the border of Beijing and Hebei Province, it’s home to the second highest peak in the area and some great views.

Chic island breaks

Around Beijing are several small islands with fancy names such as Jadeite Island and Quarter Moon Island, that have been recently developed, with clean water and a less commercial feel.

German beer fest grows in Beijing

A giant cup of beer, authentic German food and German waitresses and waiters… Beijing introduced the Munich Beer Festival on July 16 at the Xiedao Resort, trying to offer an exotic Bavarian beer fest to locals.

Old umbrella crafts in Luzhou

Many elders in their 50s or 60s can still recall when they used oiled paper umbrellas as teenagers, which were decorated with various floral patterns. These days, about the only place one encounters these old-fashioned umbrellas is in TV shows or films.

Times a-changin’ in Fangshan

No other district in Beijing can match the long history of Fangshan District, where the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chinese traditional arts at foot of the Great Wall

The folk culture exhibition, featuring intangible cultural heritage, opened at Wangjing Culture Square in Badaling Great Wall last Monday.