From Ben Mead – Managing Director
Japan Airlines, Conrad Beijing and Tiananmen Square & The Forbidden City
One of the great things about my job is the opportunity to travel, meet new people, experience new cultures, foods and see the world. Recently, my family and I (my wife Kim and 3 children aged 12, 10 and 10) boarded our Japan Airlines flight from Sydney to Beijing with a short change of planes in Tokyo bound for Beijing.
Japan Airlines - Sydney to Beijing
If I start with the flight first with Japan Airlines (JAL) which I only have great things to say about - what a great airline with wonderful service, comfortable seat and pitch and that customary Japanese efficiency and service. Travelling with kids is not the same as flying solo and the staff were nothing but helpful, courteous and friendly and the kids in particular loved all the Japanese snacks on offer to help the hours pass on the 9 hour journey.
We flew on the new Boeing 787-900 and we loved the space, quietness of the aircraft and just how new, clean and well presented the aircraft was. The entertainment system was great with what seemed like 100’s of movie and TV show options in all languages. As noted earlier we had a short 1 hour and 15 minute stop in Tokyo Narita to change aircraft for our connecting flight to Beijing. To be honest we were a little worried about this connection but as soon as we arrived (ahead of schedule) we should have relaxed. After all it is Japan and everything works like clockwork and we had nothing to worry about, making our connection with ease.
It was then another 4 hours onto Beijing aboard our JAL Airbus 777-300 this time and when we boarded to our surprise we had less than 30 passengers onboard (it was 1 October and Chinese National Day and no one was travelling and as we were too late find out already in Beijing). Immigration and Customs in China were very quick and efficient and we had very little time waiting in lines. On arrival into Beijing Capitol Airport you are in awe of the size of the airport. It is huge and once through immigration you board a train to the other part of the terminal to collect your luggage and clear customs which was quick and painless.
Conrad Hotel Beijing
We were then transferred from the airport to our hotel the Conrad Beijing which is a relatively small (289 rooms) but upscale, luxurious and modern hotel in the Chaoyang district. It was a wonderful base for us to explore this city and given the fact that it was Golden Week in China and Beijing was awash with millions of people it was nice to have a sanctuary away from the main attractions with a few less people.
The exterior of this property is striking and architecturally very interesting. It is a very high quality, well run and beautifully presented property with great amenities including an amazing indoor health club, pool, spa and great food and beverage outlets. The rooms are very spacious and very well appointed with wonderful views and the 5 star Conrad/Hilton quality appointments including great beds, linen and pillows. I would thoroughly recommend this property in Beijing and we slept incredibly well on night 1 after a day of travel and it was nice to have a base to explore China from for the next 7 nights.
We were fortunate enough to be upgraded to an Executive Floor room which had amazing views of the Beijing Skyline and the views from the Lounge on Level 26 were a real highlight.
Tiananmen Square & The Forbidden City
This morning we woke ready to explore the best of the East and after a hearty breakfast at the Conrad we were met by our guide and driver at the hotel ready for a day of adventure.
As noted earlier it was Golden Week who for those who don’t know it is the one week of the year considered to be Holiday Week with 1 October being National Day to commemorate the People’s Republic of China and this year was the last 70th year celebrations so it was a big deal and great to see but it is also the busiest week of the year in China so crowds were big. I am not going to lie - traffic and crowds were a challenge and I would think twice about travelling in Golden Week again however it did give us an appreciation for the scale of all things in China which is developing, growing and displaying its wealth and power in a big way.
Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world. It lies at the center of Beijing's historical north-south axis that runs through the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. The square is in front of the Forbidden City and has a number of sights of its own, including the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. The historical, cultural, and political significance of the square makes it a must-visit sight in Beijing. Tiananmen Square is huge - taking up more than 400,000 square meters and can hold over one million people. In addition to the simply awe-inspiring space, the square is an ideal place to take pictures of Tiananmen Gate (the "Gate of Heavenly Peace"), one of the most symbolic buildings in China. Other highlights of a trip to Tiananmen Square include the flag raising and lowering ceremonies at sunrise and sunset, respectively, as well as the changing of the guard at specific times throughout the day. Be aware that these ceremonies are incredibly popular with domestic Chinese tourists and it is often difficult to secure a good position for viewing the ceremony. Chinese tourists from around the country descend on Tiananmen Square to take their photos in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao. Some of these tourists are from distant rural areas and may rarely see non-Asian faces in their hometown, so be prepared for some of them to take photos of you or ask you to take photos with them.
Note that walking around the square can be extremely hot during the summer, as there are no trees or shade. Remember to wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. There are shops and toilets around the perimeter of the square, so if you need to buy a bottle of water or use the bathroom, do so before entering the square.
All visitors to Tiananmen Square must enter from one of several specific entry points, all of which have airport-level security, including metal detectors and x-ray machines. You may be asked for ID, so it is advisable to bring your passport as well. Be aware that Tiananmen Square is a political place that is regulated by the government and the police and sometimes subject to temporary close without prior notice.
After our visit to Tiananmen Square it was only a very short walk to the Forbidden City. These two iconic sights can be done together as part of a great day of touring. We also included a traditional tea ceremony and lunch as well! The Forbidden City occupies 720,000 sq m (7,750,000 sq ft), over three times larger than the Louvre Palace in France. An estimated 1 million labourers worked to complete the structure. It is China’s most popular tourist attraction and during Golden Week prepare for crowds, crowds and more crowds! It has more than 90 palace quarters and courtyards, 980 buildings and over 8,728 rooms. For a size comparison, the Vatican measures 440,000 square meters, and the Kremlin measures 275,000 square meters. The impressiveness of the size and scale of this ancient fortified palace is not to be missed. Due to its cultural significance and unique beauty, the Forbidden City is extremely popular with both Chinese and foreign tourists. The palace museum boasts 14 million visitors annually, more than any single section of the Great Wall. These overwhelming numbers often make for extensive lines, particularly on national holidays and weekends. The Chinese government is working hard to ensure the constant flow of visitors is well-regulated, and to prevent harm to the ancient buildings by the large crowds. The palace is considered a must-see for everyone lucky enough to visit Beijing and we loved our visit and a guide is a must to understand the significance and history of the largest Imperial Palace in the world and a masterpiece of Chinese architecture.
Coming soon: The Great Wall, Summer Palace, The Pearl Markets and Chinese Cuisine!
