Beijing Olympics Travel Video Guide

Sights | Great Wall

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:46:21 -0500

The Great Wall of China
Approximately 50 miles northwest of Beijing is where you will find Badaling, the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China. The portion of the wall running through this site was built during the Ming Dynasty, along with a military outpost reflecting the location's strategic importance. Now visited annually by millions, the immediate area has seen significant development, including hotels, restaurants, and a cable car.

Sights | Drum Tower

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:07:03 -0500

The drum tower was originally used as a musical instrument in China. Later on however, both the drum tower and the bell tower were both used for telling time. Telling the time by bell and drum played an important role in helping people live and work regularly when there was no other means to keep track of the time. As a result, bell and drum towers became public architectures, and were widely constructed in almost every city throughout the country.

Sights | China Culture Park

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:15:18 -0500

The Chinese Ethnic Culture Park in downtown Beijing includes 55 village gardens characterized by the folk styles of 55 Chinese ethnic groups. A variety of performances, held nearly every day, take place in the gardens. A compelling summer event is the Dai people's Water-Splashing Festival. From July 1 to August 31, many Dai girls in traditional costumes perform dances and throw water at each other and at tourists, too!

Transportation | Taxi

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:46:13 -0500

Taking a Taxi in Beijing China
Taxis are an excellent choice for getting around Beijing. They are abundant, convenient and fairly inexpensive for a Western tourist. The Taxi drivers are normally both friendly and honest. Most of them drive the ever reliable VW Jetta and the only negative is that long traffic jams may increase the cost of your ride.

Transportation | Walking/Biking

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:06:19 -0500

The city is completely flat and there are bike lanes to be found on almost every major street in Beijing. In addition to this, the people of the city are welcoming and friendly to both pedestrians and cyclists. In any event, you will certainly not be alone if you choose your own feet for a mode of transportation. China has indeed well earned its reputation and nickname as the "Nation of Bicycles".

Transportation | Driving a Car

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:15:10 -0500

From sharing their roadways with so many bicycles and pedestrians, Beijing motorists have unfortunately resorted to reckless driving as the norm. The Chinese drivers seem to be left free to follow their own set of rules rather than any posted laws. The locals drive their vehicles both on streets and sidewalks to get wherever they are going and honk their horns frequently so that others will get out of the way!

Dining | Street Breakfast

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:57 -0500

Beijing Street Breakfast
It is assembled by street vendors in less than a minute. Jian bing guoz is a classic Beijing breakfast of vegetables wrapped in an omelette wrapped in a pancake. Be sure to give it a try!

Dining | Restaurant

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:06:28 -0500

Chopsticks may not be the only thing to get used to when sitting down to eat a meal in a traditional Chinese restaurant. There are new customs to learn and table manners that may at first seem strange to the Western observer. Food is typically ordered by one person at the table and served family style for all to enjoy. If your taste is for finer dining, then some of the city's more elegant venues can be found in the east and central districts of Chao Yang and Dong Cheng.

Dining | Farmer's Market

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:15:04 -0500

China is a nation that is in rapid transition from old ways to new ways and from ancient to modern times. But change never comes easily. Here is an old style food market that you can still find doing business just a couple blocks away from an ultra modern grocery store.

Culture | Kung Fu

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:43 -0500

Chinese Culture, Kung Fu
Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan are national heroes. And since Beijing's selection as the host of the 2008 Summer Olympic games, wushu is set to become an Olympic sport. Beijing has now become the most preeminent center for the study and practice of martial arts with people coming from around the world to train and prepare for the games.

Culture | Tai Chi

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:06:36 -0500

Tai Chi is a form of Chinese martial art that is primarily practiced for its health benefits, including a means for dealing with tension and stress. Through the practice of Tai Chi many Chinese keep fit and flexible well into their old age. If you visit any park in Beijing at daybreak then you can enjoy the thrill of watching both young and old practice this beautiful discipline by the hundreds.

Entertainment | KTV

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:32 -0500

Beijing Entertainment Karaoke, KTV
An amazing phenomenon of Beijing nightlife is KTV, or "Karaoke" as it's also called. You rent a room with a group of friends and get your own karaoke machine. You can order drinks and sometimes there's a great buffet too. After midnight the food is free and the KTV becomes significantly cheaper. You can book a six-hour block from midnight until six a.m. And, many do!

Entertainment | Headwash

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:06:44 -0500

For only 20-40rmb this may be the best bargain in all of China. An experience to be remembered, the 30-45 minute head wash includes head, back, shoulder, arms, and hand massage. If you can figure out how to ask, they can provide you with an inner ear massage. And let me tell you, it's truly priceless!

Entertainment | Ping Pong

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:14:57 -0500

You can see people playing ping pong everywhere in Beijing. And don't be afraid to initiate a friendly challenge even to a stranger or child passing by. The Chinese people are really that friendly! But don't expect to win the match unless your skills are extraordinary. After all, ping pong is their national sport.

Shopping | Night Market

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:20 -0500

Beijing Shopping, Night Markets
Sometimes having a carnival atmosphere, they attract large crowds with colorful booths and exotic foods on display in the streets. And at other times they are a more simple shopping diversion found on the sidewalks for the nocturnal pedestrian. In either event, the Beijing Night Markets are well worth your consideration for an evening's walk.

Shopping | Convenience Store

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:20 -0500

The vendors do not typically speak any English. But where else can one go to find batteries for the camera or to satisfy your thirst for a soft drink? Convenience stores are clearly the undisputed rulers of the streets in Beijing. And so, whether you are simply out and about town during the day or looking for a late night snack, you can find one on almost any corner.

Language Lesson | Chinese Language Introduction

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:09 -0500

An introduction to speaking Chinese. Learn to speak with the correct tones.

Language Lesson | Chinese Currency

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:45:03 -0500

Language Lesson - An intro to the Chinese Currency

Language Lesson | My Name Is... What's Yours?

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:44:47 -0500

How to say "My Name Is... What's Yours?" in Chinese Mandarin

Language Lesson | Thank You

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:44:42 -0500

How to say "Thank You" in Chinese Mandarin

Language Lesson | Yes

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:44:34 -0500

How to say the word "Yes" in Chinese Mandarin

Language Lesson | No

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:44:25 -0500

How to say the word "No" in Chinese Mandarin

Language Lesson | Counting in Chinese Mandarin

vtb-support@VideoTravelBook — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:06:51 -0500

Learn To Count From 1-10 in Chinese Mandarin