A rockey tour to Pinggu

Winter usually takes a bite out of outdoor tourism, but one place it doesn’t affect is Pinggu, dubbed the “hometown of ornamental stones.”Located in northeast Beijing, Pinggu sees stone enthusiasts come year-round to collect beautiful stones in the valleys nearby.

A long journey to Ali, the roof of Tibet

Visitors from all over the globe flock to Tibet every year to have a glimpse of its mystery and magnificence. Many are content to take a picture in front of Potala Palace in the capital city of Lhasa in order to show friends back home.

The best villages in and around Beijing

After seven months of online and paper voting, the Beijing Municipal Rural Working Committee and Municipal Tourism Bureau released their list of the “Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in Beijing.” Amusingly – and unlike the last four years – 13 villages made this year’s list.

Turkey, inspiring wonder with both history and modernity

Beijing Today reporter Qiu Jiaoning went to Turkey in mid-October to do research for the “China in Turkey Experience” story that appears in this issue. Here, she shares some of her travel stories.

Pulling civilization along on its tracks

Railway stations, especially modern ones, are mostly located in city centers, close to the heart of regular people’s lives. They are the vessels that physically link city networks.

Catch autumn on wheels

“If one considers scenic spots pearls,” said Zhao Yanyong, deputy director of the Outdoor Sports Club in Yanqing County, “then cycling can be the string that connects them.”

Take in a little history in Youzhou

Beijing has gone by many other names throughout history, including Beiping, Dadu and the oldest one: Youzhou. The ancient name of Youzhou can be traced back to Xizhou (1046-771 BC). It refers to the area of Hebei Province, Beijing and today’s northern Tianjin.

Top snacks of old Beijing – A culinary tour of Xihai, Houhai and Gulou

Snacks in Beijing have a long and colorful history. Some originated from the streets; others were created in the imperial palace. Many have a story to tell about life in old Beijing.

Hutong superlatives – Jaunting little-known hutong and exploring traces of Old Beijing

Visitors to Beijing frequently explore popular hutong like Nanluoguxiang, which are actually just renovated commercial areas. It is a pity that most miss out on the more authentic hutong scattered throughout town, which more accurately frame the lives of old Beijingers.

In advance of grand gathering, a new Guangzhou

A couple of decades ago, Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, was criticized for not living up to its reputation as the “south gate of China.”