A Busy Shopping Street full of History, Culture and Character

Many people come to Beijing to shop for souvenirs. If you're looking for a quiet hutong with boutique shops to wander through, then see our blog of July 26, 2009. If you're looking for gleaming new shopping malls full of Western name brands, then they are everywhere, and great for cooling off or finding a clean toilet. If you like to bargain, then there are all sorts of markets, see blogs of 15 July 2009, Mar 2010, Nov 2010, Dec 2011......

However, if you want to see a bustling shopping street full of history, culture and character, then just head off a few steps from the renovated Qian Men Street. This street, almost 300 m long, has been here for 600 yrs, and lived off the wealthy royals and court people living in and around the nearby Forbidden City. It has been burnt down several times through fire and fighting but still remains a popular commercial area. Over 100,000 people pass through every day!

The best silks, shoes, hats, foodstuff can all be bought here. It was the original pedestrian street of Beijing, and full of old Chinese brands, many of which are sadly no longer famous.  

Starting at the western end of the street you will soon pass by the first cinema in China, (1907) which was a tea house originally for watching Beijing Opera, and now

turned into a cafe. 

Silk was invented in China so naturally there are several famous silk stores along this street. This display shows the basics of spinning, dyeing and weaving.

This store proudly shows off the first Chinese flag of the People's Republic of China they made, which was used in Tiananmen Square during the Oct 1st independence day celebration in 1949.

The Rui Fu Xiang silk store is housed in a magnificent buidling with western columns and carved Chinese floral designs.

You are given a friendly greeting outside the Bu Ying Zhai shoe store which makes high quality handmade shoes of all designs traditional and modern.

This silk store next door also has wonderful 19th century (Qing) wrought iron facade, a bit like the mansions in Penang (Apr 2012 blog), as well as stone carved walls..

One shop still famous after all these years is Liu Bi Ju, meaning Six Daily Necessities, referring to “firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar”. Based on that business, the shop is still famous for its wide variety of tasty pickles.

Across the road is a newly developed are called Xian Yu Kou or Fresh Fish Mouth, where you can sample all sorts of local food from around China, including also a Taiwan Street behind. When we were there, there was a beautiful display of different lights showing various folk characters and gods.

Looks like the Monkey King?

God of Longevity with his long life peaches

And you may recognise this Westernized God....

Many local snacks can be found, including these noodles being shaven in strips off a lump of dough, "dao xiao mian"

and the ever popular "jian bing", a kind of savoury pancake.

Further on, you will see a local fruit and vegetable market....

strawberries for USD2 per pound.

all kinds of dried fruits, such as we have seen in Xinjiang...

different spices and herbs

can you see what these are?

more familiar vegetables

So many different vegetables...it would take another morning to show you round a local market. If there are any foodies out there, I would love to take you round, buy some fresh ingredients you like and then come to my home to make dumplings...... ready when you are!

Where Have All the Bicycles Gone?

These photos are from a by gone past just 15 years ago.   Today, the millions of bicycles that we use to see are now mostly replaced by cars as well as millions of motor scooters and motorized bikes that we refer to as Mopeds. Someone riding a bicycle in Beijing is now rare. I walked 5 blocks down a main street in Beijing and only counted 5 pedal bicycles this past year, where one just 15 years ago could have counted hundreds. Gone are the bike parking areas like you see here replaced by scooter parking lots. More Pollution? Probably but most of them are run by battery.  When the battery starts to wear down they just pull into a station and swap it out for a charged one.  One can lease a battery rather than needing to buy one and there is no charging time.  Pictured here is an old bike from the 1980's which could have been bought for just $12 U.S. back then as one of the standard means of transportation. Be Warned however, the battery operated scooters and Mopeds run silent and one needs to watch out when crossing streets.   For more information on Travel in China contact me via email at  Interlak@eskimo.com   This year will be my 25th year of travel in China and over 50+ trips through out the country as a Tour Operator to China and Tibet.

Which One is Your Buddha?

In China you will always find something interesting including some Temples.  The Temple here was a new one I discovered in the countryside one day.  The Temple is round and contains statues of over 100 Buddhas.  There are four entrances to the Temple.  The idea is that you may go in any entrance that you wish.  You then turn to the right and then start counting  Buddhas until you get to your age and that is your Buddha.  Being a bit heavy at 230 lbs, the Buddha at my age is pictured here and was quite realistic and my Chinese friends had a good laugh about it with me.  A well planned tour can give you many experiences and wonderful memories of a visit to China.   We have been doing tours to China for almost 25 years and I personally work with my local Chinese associate partners developing great tours and checking sights and hotels to insure excellent tours to my customers needs and wants.   Check out our web site at www.interlakechinatours.com    Private customized tours to your interests are our specialty.  You may only go to China once in your life so you might as well see what you are interested in since you can't see everything in just one trip.  Over 25% of our customers go back again and we hope you will be one of them.  

China Tour Prices

I teach a class here in Seattle on Saturdays one day a quarter on Travel in China.  As a tour operator I understand how difficult it is to compare tours and find out which one is the best value as well as a good tour.  Travel is expensive today so most people want to compare tours but many people really do not understand the difference in costs.  Hotels in the central area are best for tourists so they can freely walk around and see sights during their free time.  Some tour companies put people either in the suburbs or neighborhoods outside the central area which are cheaper but very inconvenient as you must take a taxi every time you want to leave.  The cost difference and time spent is not worth the savings but it makes the tour company look good with the lower cost. The best way to compare tours is contacting the tour company and asking for a reference list of former customers so you can get an independent assessment of their tours.  You get what you pay for in China.  There are deluxe tours and budget tours and your budget needs to be met as well.  5 star hotels have a wide range in China in costs.  The best values are 4 star hotels.  Within the hotels there are rooms usually at 4 or 5 different levels in cost.  Tour operators generally book the cheapest of course unless you are on a private tour and request a Superior or Deluxe room.  For more information contact us with your questions.  We are always glad to give you advice whether you are a customer or not.  Email me at
interlak@eskimo.com     Our web site is  www.interlakechinatours.com   Our 25th Year of China only.

Last Day in Seoul and Now Headed Home

Ok, there probably isn't much to write in terms of commentary here.  We pretty just went all over Seoul seeing the sights and taking pictures.  It's probably best just to write describe a bit of where we are and what we are doing in the captions.

An elevator takes us up to a cable car which then takes up to the top of the N Seoul Tower.  The tower sits on this peak in Seoul and supposedly has great views of the city. 

You can see the tower and the cable car the takes us up. 

I saw something similar in Zhangjiajie.  I guess the Chinese and Koreans are very romantic people.

Super hazy day.  The views were not that great.

The tower is a pretty green color at night and can be seen from many places in Seoul.

Jezreel wanted to have a donut party since there is a Dunkin' Donuts on every corner.

More food.  I can't believe how much food we are eating on this weekend.

Just a random door going nowhere.

Jee-Young at I at Gyeongbokgung Palace.  She wouldn't let me post any pictures on the blog showing her face.  So, here I am with the mysterious woman with the black visor.

The palace is a fairly large area with multiple buildings.  It was destroyed by the Japanese when they colonized and then rebuilt.  It was then partially destroyed during the Korean War and then rebuilt again.  Jezreel thought it was pretty amusing that so many Japanese tourists were roaming around the grounds with a tour guide.  We wondered what they were telling them.  Would they say: "This place used to be even more beautiful until we burned it to the ground!"

We got to see a recreation of the changing of the guards ceremony.  It was really interesting!

I love the look of the architecture here.

The king's throne.

This girl came up to me and pointed at her camera.  I thought she wanted me to take a picture of her with her friends.  But, she wanted to have her friends take a picture of her with the foreigners.

Hyunjin kept telling me: "You aren't doing it right.  Drop your knees lower."  I said: "I'm trying!!!!"

Love this shot.  Lily pads, traditional Korean building, typical looking mountain in Korea.  

I was born in the year of the rabbit.  Thought he needed an extra set of bunny ears.

I was excited to take a bite of what I thought was a Korean marshmallow.  Turns out it was a moist towelette for cleaning your hands before eating.

You see why I can't get a decent burger in Korea.  They have no clue!

This was in an older residential area in Seoul that's been preserved.  People still live in this area and the architecture looks like this.

I like this picture because you can see the old Korea with the new Korea.

Another good shot contrasting the old and new.

Jezreel and Hyunjin could not have been more hospitable.  We had such a great time! 

Standing in front of the National Assembly building.  The National Assembly is Korea's version of Congress.

I'm trying to look tough, but I can't quite pull it off.

The shot right after this is me falling, but I didn't include that one.  I like this one better.

The start of the sequence where I try Bundaegi, which is a steamed butterfly cocoon (yes, with butterfly included).  You can see my reaction if you scroll down.

I came so close to throwing up.  The taste was indescribable.  I kept burping it up during the day and even had to refrain from thinking about it.

I saw this and so badly wanted to have my kids with me.  They would have loved this park right on the Han river.

From the top of the 63 building, which used to be the tallest building in Seoul.  Wonderful views from up here.  We all thought it was crazy how far the city went in all directions.

Sign for the LDS temple in Seoul.

It was hard to get good shots at night, but we tried.

Jezreel agreed to take a picture in front of the temple with me, but kept saying "There better not be a guy waiting with pamphlets."

I didn't plan this, but a missionary from California who is working at the temple came up and asked who we were.  Really nice guy.  It was Sunday night in Korea, so the temple and vistors center were closed.

Not the best picture, but I like the spires, the moon, and Korean flag all in one shot.

I was surprised that the driveway going up to the temple was right off of this alley way.

Jezreel wanted to challenge me to a dart throwing battle.

I won!!!!  I did like this pig better, but it had a big rip in it, so I had to exchange it for another.

I sure got a great many stares on the subway ride home carry my pig with me.  The sacrifices I am willing to make for my little girl, Lucy!

Very typical scene in Korea.  They are so attached to their gadgets.  It's a little disturbing actually.

He is so jealous of my pig!

I'm taking such good care of my new friend.