A Taste of China…

Travel editor Jen Merigan enjoyed a ‘taste’ of China when she visited the country in April 2013 and this page features various videos she recorded of her journey and a photo gallery.

A Guangzhou Stopover

Jen flew China Southern Airlines from Perth to Guangzhou on an A330-223 in Business Class and stayed at the Central City Crowne Plaza Hotel.

In Guangzhou she enjoyed experiencing some of the world’s best Yum Cha and touring the Six Banyon Buddhist Temple which has a 600 year history.

The video below features a prayer session at the temple and then a snapshot of some locals playing an interesting game of skill in the park on Shamian Island.

We then explore the Qing Ping Chinese herb market. Enjoy the video highlights from Guangzhou – pronounced GwongJo.

A sneak peak of a China Southern Airlines A380

From Guangzhou to Beijing Jen flew on an A380 which was a ‘first’ for her and in this fun little video she shares the first class A380 experience with us.

Beijing Day One

It was a fleeting visit to Beijing and this video features the Forbidden City and the Wangfujing night markets where some interesting items were on the menu.

Jen stayed at The Peninsula Hotel in Beijing and this lovely five star hotel is located in the heart of the city and provides superb facilities and dining options.

Day 2 – The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu

A visit to China is not complete without walking the Great Wall.

The Mutianyu section offers visitors the opportunity to walk 23 watch towers over two and a half kilometres. Here’s a snap shot of Jen’s Great Wall adventure.

Alice’s Tea House

Alice and her husband Charlie run a tea house in one of Beijing’s Hutongs.

Alice not only will provide dinner for groups of four or more but can also assist with bookings for shows and tours.

You can contact Alice’s Tea House at No 81 TieShe Xie Jie, XuanWu District, Beijing (Just 100m east from Far East Hotel) Ph – 010 -630 13213 or email her before you go at – Alice197412@126.com

Day 3 – 798 Art District of Beijing

This was an amazing ‘find’ in Beijing – The 798 Art District is located on the outskirts of Beijing and is a unique space which has risen out of an enclave of disused electronics factories.

In the last 10 years local artists have taken over and and now you can wander through galleries featuring contemporary Chinese artists, admire the impressive street art, and enjoy the cafes and interesting arty shops.

The Final Supper

One cannot leave Beijing without sampling the famous Peking Duck pancakes and Jen was lucky enough to visit the Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant with a 600 year old history of serving the dish – here’s a quick ‘flick’ of the chefs carving the roasted duck – also take note of Jen’s pronunciation of the name of the restaurant – it was very authentic.  Telephone 645570501.

Jen’s two highlights from the trip…

“I enjoyed everything we did  but I especially loved Beijing and I felt very at home in this city. If I had to pick two highlights, well, that would be climbing the Great Wall and discovering old Beijing walking around the Hutongs. I found a lovely painting by a local artist featuring a Hutong in Alice’s Tea Shop and it now adorns my bedroom wall, there was something very special there.”

Jen’s Photo Gallery featuring Guangzhou and Beijing, China – April 2013