1. The Great Wall You’re thinking “duh” right? But we’re not suggesting the most popular section, Badaling. Try scenic Mutianyu or take the cheap train to Jinshanling then sleep overnight in the nearby village and get up at 3am to walk up the wall and watch the sunrise. Or just spend the night on top of the wall!     2. Summer Palace Ok, so Summer Palace isn’t exactly a hidden place in Beijing . Everyone including tourists have been several times but it is one of the best places to go during a hot summer day. Rent a boat and relax out on the lake. There’s a cool breeze from the water and in the middle of the lake it’s quite peaceful and serene. Money saving tip: If you’re planning to stay in Beijing for over a year, you can get a very cheap year-round ticket from the middle...

Biking is the best way to avoid traffic jams and get around town for free, but is it safe? That depends on your skill level! Biking  alongside millions of people in large Chinese cities such as Beijing or Shanghai can be a bit crazy and will definitely raise your heartbeat. While there are designated bike lanes, cars will use them at will to park or drive in and there are also pedestrians and motorbikes which will use them. Despite the danger of biking in cities where anything goes, we love getting some exercise while enjoying the hopefully fresh air and sunshine. So brush the dust off your secondhand bike and stay safe with the following tips: 1. Take it slow Slow and steady wins the race or in this case, keeps you alive. Until you become an expert at weaving in an out of traffic and people, biking at a...

Get your boats ready to race and grab 21 of your closest friends!  China’s dragon boat festival  has arrived. You may have a three day weekend but don’t make the mistake of staying at home relaxing during this public holiday. Why? You’ll regret missing out on stuffing your face with the many different types of zongzi (mini pyramid shaped sticky rice) and taking part in the festivities. Ideally, you’ll want to travel to one of China’s main cities that are near water. Hong Kong has the most professional races and was the first to start international dragon boat races which have now spread around the world. While you’re watching the races, grab a wide variety of zongzi to sample. This sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves may have several different fillings including pork, bean paste, dried dates, red beans, egg or chicken so check to see what’s inside before you...