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As China’s capital, Beijing has embraced many of the country’s famous attractions. The tourist who has a knack for history will surely find this place worthwhile because he will be thrilled by the different grand palaces, magnificent monuments and marvelous bridges and towers that abound the city.

All of the Beijing hotels are always ready to share their warm smiles and selfless hospitality. You will not have trouble finding your preferred rooms since you have a wide array to choose from. You will also discover the ease in traveling from different points in the city because of the abundance of cars, buses and trains.

Some of these wonderful ancient wonders that you should visit are the Lugou Bridge and the Wanping Fortress. Located near some of the affordable Beijing hotels, they are attractions worth visiting. They give you a glimpse of the city’s wonderful history, specifically its relations to the outside world during the dynastic era.

The Lugou Bridge, more famously known as the Marco Polo Bridge, is located 15 kilometers southwest of the city center across the Yongding River. Administratively, it is located in the city’s Fengtai District, which is a relatively newer part of the city, where you can readily see various Beijing hotels.

The bridge is very famous since it was given positive views by the Venetian traveler Marco Polo during his visit to China in the 13th century and for the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which started the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). In his journal, Marco Polo described the bridge as “a very fine stone bridge, so fine indeed, that it has very few equals in the world.” It is considered an architectural breakthrough since it was made from solid granite.

You will be greeted by hundreds of artistically unique stone lions from different eras as you cross the bridge. An important feature of these creatures is that there are more lions hiding on the head, back or under the belly or on the paws of each of the big lions.

At the end of the bridge, you will see another historical masterpiece, the Wanping Fortress. Also known as the Wanping Castle, it was built to defend the city against Li Zicheng and the peasant uprising. It has two gates: the Majestic Gate on the east and the Favorably Govern Gate on the west. This grand edifice was built during the Ming Dynasty.

The Lugou Bridge and the Wanping Fortress are two historically important structures of this ancient city. That is why we encourage you not to miss these sites when you stay in any of the hotels in Beijing since they remind us that history should always be treasured and respected. So book your room now and be enthralled by the excitement that our wonderful city can give you.

Author E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works closely with the Fraternal Cooperation Hotel Beijing and many other beijing hotels. Learn even more about the Fraternal Cooperation Hotel Beijing here.

categories: hotels,beijing,rooms,cheap,affordable,accommodation,vacation,trip,travel,china

Beijing, China’s political capital, houses many interesting man-made structures which either served as fortresses against invaders or as welcoming halls for various guests from all around the world. The “Son of Heaven,” or the emperor, was the playmaker and the helmsman of the country. It was through him that the country continues to run its course.

In this contemporary age, we can see numerous Beijing hotels standing peacefully side-by-side with these ancient wonders. It is indeed amazing to note how the old can coexist and complement the new. That is why it is important for us to remember that we must study the past for us to know the future. The sacrifices of the ancient Chinese have resulted into the country’s emergence as one of today’s superpowers.

When staying in Beijing hotels, do not forget to visit some of these wonderful ancient structures that were very important in the daily life of the city. Aside from the world-famous Great Wall, you must take a snapshot of Beijing’s drum and bell towers.

The drum tower, also known as the Gulou, is situated at the northern end of the central axis of the Inner City. First built for musical reasons and as a clock, it is now a tourist attraction. The structure is made of wood and is two storeys high. Only one out of the 24 drums can still be seen until now.

The Zhonglou, or the bell tower, can be seen very close to the drum tower. Both these towers were good vantage points in ancient Beijing since they were then the tallest structures. This is a 33-meter-high edifice with gray walls and a green glazed roof.

Kublai Khan built the Drum tower in 1272. It was then reconstructed to the east of the original site in 1420. In 1800, large-scale renovations were carried out. The Bell and Drum towers were finally opened to tourists after more than a century.

Musical instruments such as bells and drums were later used to tell time in ancient China. They also served as watches for both officials and commoners alike. These two towers held significant roles in telling the time during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. An interesting fact is that until now, you can still hear the rings of these ancient timepieces. In this modern age, people who stay in Beijing hotels or in their respective homes have already wristwatches which help them perform their tasks throughout the day.

These two towers, as we call them, are important pieces of Beijing’s history. True enough, time is of the essence. That’s why we invite you now to book your spacious rooms in any of the Beijing hotels and hop in to experience a tour that you will truly remember.

E. Larson is a long-time expatriate of Beijing, China. He works with the Shanxi Grand Hotel Beijing and many other hotels in Beijing. Check out his website about the Shanxi Grand Hotel Beijing here.

categories: hotels,beijing,rooms,cheap,affordable,accommodation,vacation,trip,travel,china

When you are planning a vacation in Rome, you will find that there are a tremendous number of locations to visit and things to do. Choosing your accommodations to enjoy your holiday activities to the fullest can save you time and money when you decide to choose Rome apartments vs hotels. There are multiple benefits to choosing apartments for stays in Rome. The apartments are beautiful and comfortable and offer you a perfect place to rest at the end of a busy day.

When a person stays in a hotel, it has a tendency to distance you from the area that you are visiting. The people, smells, and culture of a city are often lost in the room that you leave your suitcase in. The personal touches of home are lacking and the colors of the room do not reflect the life and vitality if the city.

Noise is another factor that you will have to deal with in a hotel. The walls of hotels can be thin and you are well aware of any action taking place in the next room. The hotel is a room that does not offer a group that is vacationing together any opportunity to escape into a quiet corner to read.

Apartments in Rome are located in every district. There are apartments near each site and activity and are often found in the beautiful historic buildings of the city. Most of the hotels are within walking distance of the many activities that take place in the city throughout the day and are near wonderful clubs, bistros and cafes. A person who is traveling alone will find that the studio apartments are as complete and home-like as a group of people staying in a large three bedroom apartment.

One of the best ways to save money on vacation is on eating and accommodations. Saving money in these areas so that you can enjoy a little more of the night life and pick up some extra gifts or special items makes a great vacation fabulous. The cost of the apartments vary based on the size and location of the apartment you will need, but they do share many things in common.

There are many markets located throughout Rome and you will be able to take advantage of the fresh foods that are brought from throughout the region. Taking advantage of the kitchen that is in the apartments will not only give you a chance to cook some spectacular food in the convenience of your home, but also save you money on your daily meals.

The residents of Rome are a marvelous, friendly people that make anyone feel welcome. Immersing yourself in this wonderful culture will add an extra level of enjoyment to your vacation that would not be found if you were staying in the same building with the residents of Rome. The apartments are fully furnished and the kitchens have everything that you need to cook glorious meals. Some of the smaller apartments have microwaves and the larger apartments have stoves and microwaves so you can bring home food and heat it up later when you want a snack.

Many of the apartments have balconies and garden areas. You can be staying in the middle of Rome with all of its marvelous busy activities and escape with a warm cup of coffee to the garden where you can enjoy some quiet time, read a book, or write a letter.

The benefits of staying in Rome apartments vs hotels are immeasurable. Once a person stays in an apartment in Rome, you will feel that you are returning home each time you return. The apartments are beautifully laid out and all that you need to bring is your toothbrush and clothing to begin your vacation the minute you arrive.

Everyone wants to visit Rome for a great get a way, but what happens when you want a apartments in Rome? Tons of people can see Rome apartments all over the town. Rome is very popular place to live and has many great schools.

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It’s easy to find UK flights to other countries and continents at any time during the month. There are plenty of flights to Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North or South America, and even to the Pacific Islands. Using the search bar provided on most sites will show what flights are available. There are spaces for the departure and destination locations to be entered and the dates for both ways. The number of adults and children need to be entered in as well.

One way and round trip options are both available when looking into flight times and prices available. Having flexible dates and times is one way to get a lower airfare price. Another way to get a discount is by booking a hotel room at the same time the airfare is booked. The airlines and hotels often work together with booking sites and will allow lower rates because they are being reserved together. This process often makes booking a hotel stay on the correct day easier too, since the dates will coincide.

Weekend travel is usually going to cost more than flying during Monday through Thursday. The most desired travel times are usually on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, which makes flights on these days go for higher prices because of demand. Hotel rates tend to follow the same trend as well; higher prices for weekend stays.

When there are too many gray days in a row, a trip to the Caribbean is a perfect way to soak up some sun on the glorious beaches. Any of these places can be visited on flights leaving the UK, but there are certain days that are going to be cheaper than others.

Making a trip happen over a long weekend is more cost efficient than trying to stick to a Friday through Sunday schedule. Taking off on a Thursday and then returning on a Monday is perfect for dropping the price of airfare down. Not only will prices be lower, but the crowds shouldn’t be hectic.

Holiday travel almost always costs a lot, unless there is a seat on a flight that isn’t selling and the airline decides to drop the price down very low. They want to make sure all their seats are full when they fly.

Flights can leave the UK from many different major airports. In Greater London, there are Heathrow and Gatwick, while in the Midlands there is Birmingham International Airport. Other airports in England include Coventry, the Liverpool John Lennon airport, and the Manchester International. As for Wales, there is Cardiff airport and Scotland has Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. No matter where one lives in the UK, there is an airport that is fairly close.

Being able to search multiple airline services at once is the best way to find low airfares. There are some sites that will search every airline possible and then display the prices and flight schedules. Be sure to check on the number of stops made for each flight. Some really cheap flights have two or three plane changes in them, so the flight will take a lot longer than necessary. When booking UK flights, being flexible is the best way to go.

It is easy to find UK flights via British Airways to other countries and continents at any given time. There are tons of flights to Africa, Asia, OZ, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North or South America, and even to the Pacific Islands.

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No one can go wrong with an Ixtapa Villa Rental. This is true because of its location. Ixtapa is a beach resort in Mexico and is also popular stop among tourists and cruise goers. The exquisite beaches in the area are an irresistible trait the resorts have to offer. Villa rentals in Ixtapa make it possible for you to take advantage of such a beautiful landscape

Whether you want to fish, swim, eat good food, or simply experience the nightlife, villa rentals help you do it all. From singles to married couples, to families, everyone can have a good time here. Villas allow you to have a place to yourself, without any disturbance and at the same time have a good time socializing with everyone else.

Renting a villa is the best way to take advantage of all the amenities this resort town has to offer. Spacious with excellent services, villa rentals provide you with the relaxation necessary during such an amazing vacation. With all of this, a vacation of a lifetime is inevitable. The privacy the villa provides allow to take a moment out of your day just to think and the city allows you to go out and have fun.

Villas provide the privacy you would needs in such a fast moving town such as Ixtapa. With everyone there for a vacation, having a place to yourself ensures the privacy and serenity that everyone needs. If that is not what you want bungalows, hotels, and condos are also always available.

Even though the town is fast paced, it’s not as fast moving as Cancun for example. This ensures that you have the same amount of fun, if not more, with less hassle. Cancun can become too crowded; however, the villas balance the right amount of privacy with the perfect amount of socializing.

Everyday can become a vacation with a rental villa. You would never have to leave it. The privacy ensures a quiet scene. There also many things one can do inside of a villa taking advantage of all the amenities it has to offer. It can become your home away from home at least for a few days.

Villa rentals provide you with the right amount of relaxation and fun. In a town like Ixtapa, this is exactly what you would need. If this is not what you want, other types of rentals can help you meet your needs, but villas are most definitely the way to go.

Learn more about Ixtapa Villa. Stop by Sean Elstins’s site where you can find out all about Ixtapa Villa Rental and what it can do for you.

categories: Ixtapa Villa rental, Ixtapa, villa rental, Mexico

Lively, cultural and stunning are three words that best describe the country of Mexico. Lying underneath the United States of America, Mexico has many wonderful sights, sounds and smells just waiting to be explored. A Mexican vacation needs the perfect base for your visit and a villa in Mexico is one of the best options.

Along the length and breadth of Mexico are thousands of opulent villas available for rent. Many come with their own balcony, a barbeque outside and a private swimming pool. If you opt for a rental villa situated on the coast, you will also be able to enjoy breathtaking ocean views.

When you rent a villa for your vacation in Mexico you can choose to stay put in your luxurious surroundings or travel further afield to see what the country has to offer. Most people arrange car hire at the airport for their stay, making it very easy to get around this wonderful country.

You may choose just to lounge by the pool at the villa, take to the beach for a spot of sunbathing or enjoy some of the watersports available such as water skiing. For a fuller vacation, Mexico also has a myriad of informational museums and historically important ruins to be enjoyed, many within quick driving distance of your base. And of course, there is wonderful food, entertainment and music to be relished too.

Finding the perfect Mexican rental villa is effortless. The internet is home to literally thousands of rental agents who have wonderful villas on offer. It is also possible to find some great villas to rent in specialist magazines and property press releases. Many vacationers also approach their travel agent to find them a great villa as part of their Mexican vacation adventure. You may find that by booking a villa over the internet, you will get a discount, giving you more spending money as well as a wonderful base.

If you would like to know which areas are the best to visit in Mexico then it is worth reading some reviews. Many people like to let others know about their experiences in Mexico and post reviews on forums and travel websites. This is a great way to find out which places in Mexico will give you the best vacation experience.

No matter whether your villa in Mexico is on the coast or inland, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful vacation. The people are warm and friendly, the weather is hot and the country as a whole will leave you with wonderful memories of your time there. Infact, you may find yourself returning to Mexico again and again!

Looking to find the best deal on Villa in Mexico, then visit www.pacificvacation.net to find the best advice on Ixtapa, Mexico Villas for you.

categories: Mexico, Villa, Vacation

During the Chinese New Year, one of the celebrations is that of the lantern festival. Come let us find out the legend behind it.

The lantern is one of the most significant symbols of the Chinese New Year. In fact there is an entire festival known as the Chinese lantern festival celebrated at the time of New Year. In local lingo the festival is known as Yuan Xiao. It gets its name from the first month of the year which is called Yuan where as the second half of the name is what the ancient people used to refer to as night.

Fifteen days after entering the New Year, when the first full moon night is observed, the lantern festival is celebrated that night. It is to celebrate the joyful environment when the first full moon of the New Year is seen shining brightly. Chinese people get together at the festival site and together they hold their lanterns up trying to constitute a beautifully lit up surrounding.

Chinese lanterns are designed with great detailing. Often you would find riddles featuring on them that would get you rather involved in solving them and they are hardly, normal lanterns! The lantern festival is accompanied by eating rice balls which are shared with closed ones during this season.

The beginings of the lantern tradition

The legend that is most well-known linked with the Lantern New Year event is that, God Taiyi who reigned over the heavens in the ancient era was worshipedby the people in this festival. This is one of the many mythologies associated with the traditional New Year lantern festival.

Being the god of heaven it was supposed that he controlled the entire luck of the human world. The authority to impose punishment through natural disasters or medical epidemics was attributed to this god. The emperor who first started the tradition of holding a ceremony to please Taiyi was Qinshihuang. There ceremonies were held in order to gain the good pleasure of Taiyi and avoid the risk of natural disasters.

With time the ceremony gained currency and was highly sponsored during the Han dynasty. In fact it was during the rule of the emperor Wudi that the event became one of the most important ceremonies in China which would go on for the entire night.

The story behind the lantern festival however had a different explanation too that said the Taoists influenced these celebrations. The fortune of the Chinese people was in the hands of the Taoist lord Tianguan, apparently, and he seemed to have taste for Chinese entertainment. Hence, the Chinese took to pleasing him by, celebrating on the streets and executing various performances to keep him happy.

The origin of the day of lighting lanterns was apparently discovered by King Mingdi, as a different story says. This story states that he was under Buddhist influence and one dream had led to the extraordinary selection of the fifteenth day of the New Year as the day to commemorate the event of lighting lanterns.

The lantern festival is one of the special events held as a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations no matter which part of the legend is genuine. These lanterns are interestingly designed with unique Chinese motifs.

Chinese paper lanterns are enjoyable and not difficult to make. If you would like to read further on other Chinese new year customs follow the hyperlinks.

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After a cozy and homely rest at your Beijing hotel’s room, its ripe time for you to discover and appreciate China’s vibrant past.

Shopping in Beijing may turn out to be very hectic for most people. Considering the possibility of being lost in traffic, mislead by maps, and communication gaps between the locals. Fortunately there are services offered like shopping assistants that will aide you in your shopping needs.

If you have a niche for art, then Beijing, known for being the capital of China’s longstanding culture and tradition, has something very special in stored for you.

Chinese brush pens are very popular among the local artists in China since they use a lot of different kinds of brush pens to create their master pieces. One shop located within the proximity of most Beijing hotels sells a complete line of brushes that painters and students alike, use.

Chinese brush pens are unique among others since they’re hand crafted and they come in different sizes and textures for varying strokes or purposes.

For example, a large soft weasel hair brush is used for applying color on a painting that has water lily or lotus leaves on it, while medium sized brushes made from goat or sheep hair is used for controlling difficult outlining stokes. Small brushes on the other hand are best used for very fine outlining. For a variety of effects, hairs from squirrels, rabbits, horses, and chickens are also used.

The owner Mr. Zhang, having 50 years of experience in making brush pens, guarantees a high quality product. In special cases, Mr. Zhang engraves special Chinese characters into these brushes to add to its uniqueness. If you would like your brushes to be encrypted with these special characters, you can ask your shopping assistant to help you convey your request to Mr. Zhang.

If you’re not interested in brushes, perhaps you could take a look at other shops around Beijing hotels that sell lovely oil paintings.

Strategically located at the heart of Beijing’s buzzing streets, the first floor of Beijing’s largest art market, houses Ms. Chen’s art studio. Ms. Chen is a contemporary artist, she makes amazing oil paintings that awes tourists and locals alike. Ms. Chen uses two unique types of style in her paintings: The Western-style of oil painting and the combined Western-Chinese Style. Most of her paintings are about landscapes, still objects, and figures.

Shopping in Beijing can’t get any better than this, with the help of your shopping assistant, you can be assured of getting the most value out of your money since your shopping assistant not only guides you on what items are cheaper, but they also bargain for you. The shopping assistants are also knowledgeable of Beijing’s shopping geography, ergo, she will be able to take you to the shops that are near your Beijing hotel, saving not only your money but your time as well.

If you would like to know more about these shopping assistants, you can go to your Beijing hotel’s help desk, or visit myshoppingbeijing.com.

E. Larson is a long-time expatriate in Beijing, China. He works closely with the Fraternal Cooperation Hotel Beijing and many other beijing hotels. Go to his website on the Fraternal Cooperation Hotel Beijing here.

categories: hotels,beijing,shopping,assistants,rooms,cheap,affordable,accommodation,vacation,trip,travel,china

Beijing has long been China’s seat of national cultural and political affairs. Due to this, she has been a witness to the ever-changing landscape throughout the years. Born from years of enigma, the city has risen from the problems of the past, continues to subsist in these modern times and is set to conquer new heights in the years ahead.

Beijing has a lot of scenic attractions that leave a positive impression in its visitors. This has resulted into huge tourists arrivals from anywhere around the world. Potentially, it caused the proliferation of dozens of Beijing Hotels, spanning north to south and east to west. The variety of hotel rooms offer you splendid choices, ranging from the subtle bedrooms to the magnificent suites. That’s why when in Beijing, you are sure to find a room that is tailored to your budget.

Before the People’s Republic was instituted, the city experienced major upheavals. To enshrine these important events and honor the people who have offered their lives for freedom, several monuments have been erected across the city. Among these structures, the Monument to the People’s Heroes is one of the most notable. This is a ten-storey obelisk which can be found within a stone’s throw from many Beijing hotels. This was built in memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for the revolutionary struggles of the Chinese people during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The monument is strategically located at the southern edge of Tiananmen Square. Designed by architects Liang Sicheng and his wife, Lin Huiyin, it has a height of about 37.94 meters and covers an area of 32,000 square feet.

It took 17,000 pieces of granite and marble to construct this 10,000 metric ton obelisk. The pieces were taken from the provinces of Qingdao and Shandong and from Fangshan District, just outside the city.

There are eight large bas relieves on the tablet’s pedestal which depict scenes from the revolution and can be read clockwise from the east. Some of these include the burning of opium in the Opium War in 1840, the Jintian Village Uprising in the Taiping Revolution in 1851 and crossing the Yangtze River Campaign, or Successful Crossing of the Yangtze River in 1949.

On the front of the monument, you can readily see an inscription in Mao Zedong’s handwriting, which reads “Eternal glory to the people’s heroes!” On the back, there is a message which was drafted by Mao Zedong and written by Zhou Enlai, which also revered the efforts of the heroes of the past.

Truly a historical gem, the Monument to the People’s Heroes is one attraction that visitors staying in various Beijing hotels should not miss because it gives honor to the people who restored national pride to the Chinese. Getting to this place from many Beijing hotels is not a problem since transportation such as cabs and the subway are readily found. We advise you to visit this site during the morning to avoid the huge crowd that tends to converge upon the square in midday or in the afternoons. So bring your friends with you and experience this timeless piece of Chinese history.

Author E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works closely with the Ningxia Hotel Beijing and other hotels in Beijing. Check out his website about the Ningxia Hotel Beijing here.

categories: hotels,beijing,rooms,cheap,affordable,accommodation,vacation,trip,travel,china

You will see that the New Year parade holds a most important place in Chinese New Year. Learn about the background of the parades in both traditional and modern China.

New Year parade is one event which is dearest to a Chinese heart. The elaborate spectacle which is part of the parade goes to show how much the Chinese people are conscious of their past traditions and how they like to show to the whole world what they mean to them. Parades are the best way to prove this point to the whole world.

The Chinese people and its culture dates back to almost five thousand years. In between the culture has gone through number of stages some of which is still quite mystifying and intriguing. The country’s history reveals a strong cultural background which makes the people all the more proud of their traditions.

Today you will come across the New Year parade exhibiting all those ancient traditions and mixing them up with a modern flavor in order to bridge the difference. The bringing back of ancient traditions serves as a great tourist attracting factor to which the modern amenities are added in order to make them comfortable. Hence the parade acts as a regeneration of ancient Chinese tradition as well as revitalization for all those present there to witness it.

Chinese New Year parade is a mixture of old and new. The format of the marching squad is similar to American formation. The lantern parade is the older aspect in the parade. The dragon dance is another ancient tradition which is an important feature. By and large you will see the parade representing ancient ideas with a modern touch. For example there are marching bands etc. which are totally western practice and had no place in Chinese ancient culture.

The roots of the Chinese New Year Parade lie in the early civilizations that began to come closer on a communal level many centuries ago. With neighborhood connections developing into a deep friendship people started to get together and celebrate the coming of New Year in the form of processions and parades.

The Chinese New Year parade today is no more a local item viewed at the most by the neighbors but has developed into an event which the whole world takes an interest and visit the country to witness. The rest who can’t still watches it through Television coverage.

The New Year parade showcases the artistic talent of China together with the exciting performances as a part of Chinese customs. You can see some beautifully and elaborately designed floats as a part of the show along with people in attractive and colorful costumes apart from lions and dragons.

The New Year parade in China is all about colorful pageantry and loud noise made by the firecrackers. The firework bursting which an integral part of the parade makes huge amount of noise and people actually enjoy it and no one is concerned about noise pollution.

The limelight of the Chinese New Year parade is without a hesitation held by the dragon which is a puppet about a hundred foot long made from silk, bamboo and paper. Young men and women hold up the dragon and present the traditional dragon dance that is accompanied by gongs and drums.

Chinese new year street decorations often start getting prepared months before the actual new year. If you want to know more about what goes into making annual Chinese new year parades follow the links contained here.

categories: china,chinese,culture,society,poeple,home,family,animals,religion,spirituality