Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei | 30min, Fuxing Bullet Train Takes You from Tianjin to Beijing.

Photographer: Reporter Li Ran of Xinhua 

Since August 8, 2018, "Fuxing" Bullet Train of Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway had been officially sped up to 350km/h. It takes only 30min from Tianjin to Beijing. So, tourists and citizens in Tianjin are warmly welcome to visit Beijing by "Fuxing".

Departure -- Tianjin Railway Station

C2584 is recommended departing from Tianjin Railway Station at 7:53am. There is still time for a breakfast.

30min late, the train will arrive at Beijing South Railway Station from where we can conveniently take Metro Line 4 and Line 14. Located in Fengtai District, Beijing, it is the largest railway station of Beijing with highest receiving and sending frequency.

First stop - The Imperial Palace

Speaking of Beijing, we always think of the Forbidden City, the landmark architectural complex located on the axle wire of Beijing, where we can feel the history and culture of Beijing.

Honored as the head of world top five palaces, the Imperial Palace was built from Yongle 4th Year of the Ming Dynasty and completed in Yongle 18th Year. The 961m long (south to north) and 753m wide (east to west) architectural complex is fenced up with a 10m high rampart and a 52m wide moat outside the rampart. The palace is divided into parts. The part of three main halls, including Taihe Hall, Zhonghe Hall and Baohe Hall, were sites for ceremony and state affairs discussion; while the part of three main palaces, including Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace and Kunning Palace, were residential sites of the emperors and empresses.

Many rare and precious stones and wood were used to build the outstanding palace. Ancient working people showed their excellent skills to achieve every fabulous detail of the palace. Red and yellow are supplemented with coloured glaze in blue, purple, black and green; animal decorations, such as Chinese dragon, phoenix, lion, sea horse and Shibi are vividly carved.

Address: No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Traffic: Metro Line 4 (Daxing Line) - Metro Line 1 (about 44min)

Visiting duration: 3h

Second stop - Ming Tombs

After lunch, which we highly recommend "Quan Ju De", authentic Beijing roast duck, we can take the bus to the next destination, Ming Tombs.

Occupying an area over 120sq.km, Ming Tombs, which are located at the foot of Tianshou Mountain, Changping District, have opened multiple attractions like Changling Mausoleum, Dingling Mausoleum and Zhaoling Mausoleum, etc.

Built during 1409 to 1945, Ming Tombs are the biggest imperial mausoleum complex of China and even the world with most mausoleums of emperors and empresses. Thereinto, Dingling Mausoleum of Emperor Wanli is the only excavated one. The surface structure of Dingling Mausoleum covers total 180,000sq.m; three rows of white marble bridges are built right in front of the entrance with delicate carvings; behind those bridges, there is tall pavilion built over a stone tablet surrounded by several aesthetic Ming style buildings.

Unfortunately, because lack of conservation technology, frescoes, sculptures and various burial objects of Dingling Mausoleum could not keep the situation when they were excavated. So that, tourists can only imagine the grand occasion from photos. Anyway, Ming Tombs are your best choice to know about history, culture and architectural art of the Ming Dynasty.

Address: Ming Tombs Zone, Changling Town, Changping District, Beijing.

Traffic: Bus No.5 - No.872, get off at Dagongmen bus stop (about 2h and 12min)

Visiting duration: 2h

Third stop - Badaling Great Wall

As the saying goes: One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero. You would be regret to visit Beijing without the magnificent Great Wall.

After visiting Ming Tombs, we recommend to go to Badaling by bus and find a BNB or hotel nearby to stay over. Although, Badaling Great Wall is closed at night, you should never miss the night scene here because it is one of the two important night shot locations of the Great Wall.

We can start climbing early the next morning. Badaling Great Wall, which was an important mountain pass of Ming Great Wall, is well developed section with comparatively gentle slope. Cable car is also available for kids and the aged.

As a famous section of the Great Wall, Badaling is more like a wall of people at the weekend. There is no lack of many foreign friends who may also want to be "heroes" on the wall.

Address: North End of Guangou Ancient Street, Judu Mountain, Yanqing District, Beijing.

Traffic: Bus No.949 - No.919 at Chenzhuang bus stop, get off at Badaling Forest Park and walk to the destination (about 1h and 46min).

Visiting duration: 3-4h

Fourth stop - The 100 Miles of Water and Mountain Gallery

After the Great Wall, we can go to the final stop of Yanqing 100 Miles of Water and Mountain Gallery, a glamorous natural scenic area of Beijing. It is located in Yanqing World Geopark which is really a great reputation comparing to the "national geopark" we usually heard.

Since it is called as a "water and mountain gallery", natural scenery here cannot be described only the word "beautiful". There are magnificent Dishuihu Waterfall, peaceful Wulong Gorge, Solemn Zhaoyang Temple and mysterious Dragon King Temple. The most important part is that, as a geological park, there are a great many of fossil animals and plants including the precious silicified wood which is also known as "wood jade". Combining with natural and diversified colors, as well as hard and crystal like character, "wood jade" is extremely valuable on paleontology, archaeology, collection and ornament.

Address: No.153 Dongdian Village, Qianjiadian Town, Yanqing District, Beijing.

Traffic: Bus No.919 - No.y38 at Yanqing Dongguan bus stop, get off at Paixueling bus stop (about 4h)

Visiting Duration: 1-2h