Huanghuacheng 黄花城
If your idea of relaxation is losing yourself in the mountains, far away from the madding crowd on a crumbling rampart covered with flowers in bloom, then Huanghuacheng is for you. Huanghuacheng literally means “yellow flower city” after the swath of yellow flowers that blankets the site in summer. The hike starts at Jintang Lake and the crescent-shaped Huanghuacheng Reservoir, which breaks the Great Wall into three sections. The hiking trail is accessible from a raised walkway, but keep an eye out for the giant carp flopping around near the sides. Huanghuacheng is also known as Shuichangcheng (“Water Great Wall”) because part of the wall is underwater. After paying the RMB 3 “entry fee” levied by farmers, walk up the trail until you get to a ladder; climb up to start your exploration of the Great Wall. Proceed with caution; some sections require negotiating nearly 45° inclines, loose bricks, and plunging descents. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with soaring views, shadows playing over the mountains, and invigorating winds. Huanghuacheng is about 11km in total; at the eighth guard tower or so, there’s a little path that leads to the base of the mountain. Walk 1km along the side of the road until you get to a village; you can catch a bus back to Huairou Bus Station. Leave by 3.30pm to avoid missing the last bus.

Recommended ages: 14+ (or active younger kids aged 10+)
To do: Hike along an unrestored section of the Great Wall
Good to know: Be very careful. Parts of Huanghuacheng are quite steep and don’t have any walls or battlements to hold on to. Scattered watchtowers provide temporary relief from the sun, but a high-SPF sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, hiking shoes, and layered clothing are essential. There are no washrooms on the Great Wall, so take care of “business” before heading up. Though it’s possible to get there by bus, hire a private car to get the most out of your day. The ride can get quite bumpy, so those prone to carsickness should go with a driver to have the option of stopping.
Admission and opening hours: The only “admission” price is a RMB 3 fee levied by farmers at the entrance to the hiking trail. Similarly, there are no opening hours to speak of.
Address and contact: Xishuiyu, Jiuduhe Township, Huairou District (6165 1111/1818) 怀柔区九渡河镇西水峪
Distance: 60km (3 hours by bus, 1 hour and 45 minutes by car)

Getting there
Bus: Take the 916 express bus (916快) from Dongzhimen; tickets cost RMB 12. Get off at the last station, Huairou Bus Station (怀柔汽车站). You’ll be beset by drivers clamoring to take you to the Great Wall; hire a car or walk 600m southwest to another bus stop (cross Fuqianjie Dongjie 府前街东街 to get there). Look for unmarked buses going to Shuichangcheng (水长城), then get off at Huanghuacheng Reservoir station (黄花城水库). Tickets cost RMB 8. You’ll find the entrance to Huanghuacheng about 100m in front of you, which says ironically enough, “This section of the Great Wall is closed to visitors.”
Car: From Fourth Ring Road, catch the Jingzang Expressway (京藏高速). At Xiguan Roundabout (西关环岛), take the third exit to the Jingyin Expressway (京银高速). Turn right at Changchi Lu (昌赤路), drive for 7km, then turn right again at Huaichang Lu (怀长路). After 16km, turn left on Anxi Lu (安西路) and follow the road until you see Huanghuacheng on your right.

Badachu 八大处
Badachu (“Eight Great Sites”) takes its name from the eight Buddhist temples that make up the area’s main attraction. Though most of the temples’ names and embodiments date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Badachu’s history as a site of worship can be traced all the way back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The first of the eight temples, Chang’an Si (长安寺) is actually located right outside the park. The second temple, Lingguang Si (灵光寺), is Badachu’s main attraction and the only one that still has monks-in-residence. Lingguang Si features the 13-storey Buddha Tooth Pagoda, which the faithful circle at least three times for good luck. Take the nearby chairlift (RMB 30) or continue exploring the temples on foot: Sanshan’an (三山俺), Dabei Si (大悲寺), Longwang Tang (龙王堂), Xiangjie Si (香界寺), Baozhu Dong (宝珠洞), and Zhengguo Si (证果寺). There is another chairlift and a slide (RMB 40) near Baozhu Dong. For many, however, Badachu’s temples are an afterthought; the area’s hiking trails, spectacular views, and craggy peaks are distraction enough.

Recommended ages: 3+
To do: Visit Buddhist temples
Good to know: Of the eight temples, five have teahouses where you can refresh yourself with a quick drink. Two of the temples have adjacent lodgings.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 10. Daily 5am-7.30pm (summer), daily 6am-6pm (winter).
Address and contact: Badachu Lu, Shijingshan District (8896 4661)
Distance: 19km (1.5 hours by bus, 40 minutes by car)

Getting there
Bus: Take bus 972 from Pingguoyuan subway station, bus 347 from Xinjiekou, bus 389 from Yuquan Lu, or bus 958 from Shijingshan Amusement Park.
Car: From West Fourth Ring Road, exit at Dinghui Beiqiao (定慧北桥). Go west on Tiancun Lu (田村路) past West Fifth Ring Road and turn north on Badachu Lu (八大处路).

Shengquan Mountain 圣泉山
Located 6km from the town of Huairou, Shengquan (“Holy Spring”) Mountain is sandwiched between Hongluo Temple and Mutianyu Great Wall. Highlights include an active Buddhist temple, vendors selling local products, a petting zoo with rabbits, deer, sheep, and goats, and several easy hiking trails around the mountain. Non-hikers can catch a bus ride to the top (RMB 15 one way, RMB 30 roundtrip). You’ll see waterfalls, shrines, temples, caves, a suspension bridge, gourds on the vine, and – once you reach the top – a sea of clouds weaving between the mountains.

Recommended ages: All ages
To do: Experience an active Buddhist temple
Good to know: The best way to reach Shengquan Mountain is by car. Hiking trails are one of the park’s main attractions, but families with younger children can spend the day ambling along Shengquan’s stroller-friendly paved walkways.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 26, RMB 13 (students), free for kids under 1.2m. Daily 6.30am-8.30pm.
Address and contact: Koutou Village, Qiaozi Township, Huairou District (6063 7288/9, shengquanshan@126.com) www.bjshengqs.com 怀柔区桥梓镇口头村
Distance: 70km (5 hours by bus, 1 hour by car)

Getting there
Bus: Take bus 916 or 936 from the Dongzhimen long-distance bus station to Huairou Beidajie (怀柔北大街). Then, switch to a mini-bus bound for Shengquan Mountain.
Car: Take the Jingcheng Expressway (京承高速) until you reach Huairou Qiao (怀柔桥). Switch to Jingmi Lu (京密路) and drive north for about 1.3km. Turn left at Huaichang Lianlu (怀昌联路), then right on Nanhua Dajie (南华大街). After 1.3km, turn left on Qingchun Lu (青春路) and drive until you reach a roundabout. At the roundabout, take exit 3 to Huaihuang Lu (怀黄路) and drive for 6.4km until you reach the destination. Shengquan Mountain will be on your right.

Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡
Longqing Gorge is known for the Longqing Gorge Ice Sculpture Festival in the winter and peaceful mountain vistas in the summer. Often compared to the Yangtze River’s famous Three Gorges, Longqing Gorge also ranks favorably with Guilin’s mountain and water vistas. Visitors can ride the world’s longest chain of escalators (surrounded by a bright yellow dragon-shaped shell, no less). The five-minute ride takes you to the reservoir behind the dam; from there, you can catch a 30-minute boat ride down the river (longer tours can be arranged). Besides sightseeing, tourists can bungee jump, zip line, kayak, rock climb, go horseback riding, and go-karting. Hundred Flowers Cave or Baihua Dong (百花洞) is best avoided, as the only sign of “flowers” are dusty plastic replicas. For those with plenty of energy to spare, combine this day trip with a morning visit to neighboring Badaling Great Wall.

Recommended ages: 5+
To do: Take the world’s longest chain of escalators
Distance: 85km (8 hours by bus, 1.5 hours by car)
Good to know: This is not a stroller-friendly day trip. Longqing Gorge is usually a few degrees cooler than Beijing, so pack extra layers of clothing. Small restaurants by the Longqing Gorge parking lot serve cheap and filling home-style dishes. Longqing Gorge is reachable by bus, but the trip is very long; save yourself the trouble and hire a driver instead.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 40 (park admission), RMB 40 (all access), RMB 20/50 (students). Daily 8am-9pm. Address and contact: Longqing Xia, Yanqing County (6919 1020) 延庆县龙庆峡
Getting there
Bus: From Deshengmen subway station, take bus 919 to Yanqing Station (延庆站). Catch a cab to the gate of Longqing Gorge (RMB 20, about 15 minutes).
Car: Take the Badaling Expressway (八达岭高速公路), get off at the Yangqing Exit (延庆出口), and follow the signs for Longqing Gorge.

Ancient Cliff Dwellings (Guyaju) 古崖居
About 90km north of Beijing, there’s a network of cave dwellings carved into the side of stone hills. It’s generally believed that the Xiyi ethnic minority built the caves during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), but not much is known about why or how they did this – or what made them leave. Although access to the 147 caves is mostly restricted to the lower dwellings, the largest cover more than 20sqm and are made up of multiple rooms. Kids will enjoy wiggling into the smallest ones, which have just enough room to lie down in. At the peak, there is a great view of the lake and surrounding valley. Guyaju only takes one or two hours to tour, so this day trip can be combined with a visit to nearby Longqing Gorge.

Recommended ages: 4+
To do: Climb through a mysterious network of caves
Good to know: There aren’t any restaurants or vendors nearby, so pack a picnic and bring lots of water. Though Guyaju is reachable by bus, we recommend hiring a driver. Ample parking is available.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 40, RMB 20 (students), free for kids under 1.2m. Daily 8am-4pm.
Address and contact: Dongmenying Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing County (6911 0333) 延庆县张山营镇东门营村
Distance: 90km (8 hours by bus, 2 hours by car)Getting there
Bus: On weekdays, take bus 919 from Deshengmen station to Yanqing Dacaiyuan (延庆大菜园), switch to bus 920 towards Xiaying (下营), and get off at Guyaju Lukou (古崖居路口). On weekends, express bus 919 (919快) goes directly to Guyaju.
Car: From Madian Qiao (马甸桥) on North Third Ring Road, take the Badaling Expressway (八达岭高速公路) to Yanqing (延庆), take Jingzhang Lu (金盏路) to Dongmenying Village (东门营村), then follow signs for Guyaju for about 2km.

This post originally appeared on the beijingkids website on June 17, 2015.

Huanghuacheng 黄花城
If your idea of relaxation is losing yourself in the mountains, far away from the madding crowd on a crumbling rampart covered with flowers in bloom, then Huanghuacheng is for you. Huanghuacheng literally means “yellow flower city” after the swath of yellow flowers that blankets the site in summer. The hike starts at Jintang Lake and the crescent-shaped Huanghuacheng Reservoir, which breaks the Great Wall into three sections. The hiking trail is accessible from a raised walkway, but keep an eye out for the giant carp flopping around near the sides. Huanghuacheng is also known as Shuichangcheng (“Water Great Wall”) because part of the wall is underwater. After paying the RMB 3 “entry fee” levied by farmers, walk up the trail until you get to a ladder; climb up to start your exploration of the Great Wall. Proceed with caution; some sections require negotiating nearly 45° inclines, loose bricks, and plunging descents. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with soaring views, shadows playing over the mountains, and invigorating winds. Huanghuacheng is about 11km in total; at the eighth guard tower or so, there’s a little path that leads to the base of the mountain. Walk 1km along the side of the road until you get to a village; you can catch a bus back to Huairou Bus Station. Leave by 3.30pm to avoid missing the last bus.

Recommended ages: 14+ (or active younger kids aged 10+)
To do: Hike along an unrestored section of the Great Wall
Good to know: Be very careful. Parts of Huanghuacheng are quite steep and don’t have any walls or battlements to hold on to. Scattered watchtowers provide temporary relief from the sun, but a high-SPF sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, hiking shoes, and layered clothing are essential. There are no washrooms on the Great Wall, so take care of “business” before heading up. Though it’s possible to get there by bus, hire a private car to get the most out of your day. The ride can get quite bumpy, so those prone to carsickness should go with a driver to have the option of stopping.
Admission and opening hours: The only “admission” price is a RMB 3 fee levied by farmers at the entrance to the hiking trail. Similarly, there are no opening hours to speak of.
Address and contact: Xishuiyu, Jiuduhe Township, Huairou District (6165 1111/1818) 怀柔区九渡河镇西水峪
Distance: 60km (3 hours by bus, 1 hour and 45 minutes by car)

Getting there
Bus: Take the 916 express bus (916快) from Dongzhimen; tickets cost RMB 12. Get off at the last station, Huairou Bus Station (怀柔汽车站). You’ll be beset by drivers clamoring to take you to the Great Wall; hire a car or walk 600m southwest to another bus stop (cross Fuqianjie Dongjie 府前街东街 to get there). Look for unmarked buses going to Shuichangcheng (水长城), then get off at Huanghuacheng Reservoir station (黄花城水库). Tickets cost RMB 8. You’ll find the entrance to Huanghuacheng about 100m in front of you, which says ironically enough, “This section of the Great Wall is closed to visitors.”
Car: From Fourth Ring Road, catch the Jingzang Expressway (京藏高速). At Xiguan Roundabout (西关环岛), take the third exit to the Jingyin Expressway (京银高速). Turn right at Changchi Lu (昌赤路), drive for 7km, then turn right again at Huaichang Lu (怀长路). After 16km, turn left on Anxi Lu (安西路) and follow the road until you see Huanghuacheng on your right.

Badachu 八大处
Badachu (“Eight Great Sites”) takes its name from the eight Buddhist temples that make up the area’s main attraction. Though most of the temples’ names and embodiments date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Badachu’s history as a site of worship can be traced all the way back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The first of the eight temples, Chang’an Si (长安寺) is actually located right outside the park. The second temple, Lingguang Si (灵光寺), is Badachu’s main attraction and the only one that still has monks-in-residence. Lingguang Si features the 13-storey Buddha Tooth Pagoda, which the faithful circle at least three times for good luck. Take the nearby chairlift (RMB 30) or continue exploring the temples on foot: Sanshan’an (三山俺), Dabei Si (大悲寺), Longwang Tang (龙王堂), Xiangjie Si (香界寺), Baozhu Dong (宝珠洞), and Zhengguo Si (证果寺). There is another chairlift and a slide (RMB 40) near Baozhu Dong. For many, however, Badachu’s temples are an afterthought; the area’s hiking trails, spectacular views, and craggy peaks are distraction enough.

Recommended ages: 3+
To do: Visit Buddhist temples
Good to know: Of the eight temples, five have teahouses where you can refresh yourself with a quick drink. Two of the temples have adjacent lodgings.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 10. Daily 5am-7.30pm (summer), daily 6am-6pm (winter).
Address and contact: Badachu Lu, Shijingshan District (8896 4661)
Distance: 19km (1.5 hours by bus, 40 minutes by car)

Getting there
Bus: Take bus 972 from Pingguoyuan subway station, bus 347 from Xinjiekou, bus 389 from Yuquan Lu, or bus 958 from Shijingshan Amusement Park.
Car: From West Fourth Ring Road, exit at Dinghui Beiqiao (定慧北桥). Go west on Tiancun Lu (田村路) past West Fifth Ring Road and turn north  on Badachu Lu (八大处路).

Shengquan Mountain 圣泉山
Located 6km from the town of Huairou, Shengquan (“Holy Spring”) Mountain is sandwiched between Hongluo Temple and Mutianyu Great Wall. Highlights include an active Buddhist temple, vendors selling local products, a petting zoo with rabbits, deer, sheep, and goats, and several easy hiking trails around the mountain. Non-hikers can catch a bus ride to the top (RMB 15 one way, RMB 30 roundtrip). You’ll see waterfalls, shrines, temples, caves, a suspension bridge, gourds on the vine, and – once you reach the top – a sea of clouds weaving between the mountains.

Recommended ages: All ages
To do: Experience an active Buddhist temple
Good to know: The best way to reach Shengquan Mountain is by car. Hiking trails are one of the park’s main attractions, but families with younger children can spend the day ambling along Shengquan’s stroller-friendly paved walkways.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 26, RMB 13 (students), free for kids under 1.2m. Daily 6.30am-8.30pm.
Address and contact: Koutou Village, Qiaozi Township, Huairou District (6063 7288/9, shengquanshan@126.com) www.bjshengqs.com 怀柔区桥梓镇口头村
Distance: 70km (5 hours by bus, 1 hour by car)

Getting there
Bus: Take bus 916 or 936 from the Dongzhimen long-distance bus station to Huairou Beidajie (怀柔北大街). Then, switch to a mini-bus bound for Shengquan Mountain.
Car: Take the Jingcheng Expressway (京承高速) until you reach Huairou Qiao (怀柔桥). Switch to Jingmi Lu (京密路) and drive north for about 1.3km. Turn left at Huaichang Lianlu (怀昌联路), then right on Nanhua Dajie (南华大街). After 1.3km, turn left on Qingchun Lu (青春路) and drive until you reach a roundabout. At the roundabout, take exit 3 to Huaihuang Lu (怀黄路) and drive for 6.4km until you reach the destination. Shengquan Mountain will be on your right.

Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡
Longqing Gorge is known for the Longqing Gorge Ice Sculpture Festival in the winter and peaceful mountain vistas in the summer. Often compared to the Yangtze River’s famous Three Gorges, Longqing Gorge also ranks favorably with Guilin’s mountain and water vistas. Visitors can ride the world’s longest chain of escalators (surrounded by a bright yellow dragon-shaped shell, no less). The five-minute ride takes you to the reservoir behind the dam; from there, you can catch a 30-minute boat ride down the river (longer tours can be arranged). Besides sightseeing, tourists can bungee jump, zip line, kayak, rock climb, go horseback riding, and go-karting. Hundred Flowers Cave or Baihua Dong (百花洞) is best avoided, as the only sign of “flowers” are dusty plastic replicas. For those with plenty of energy to spare, combine this day trip with a morning visit to neighboring Badaling Great Wall.

Recommended ages: 5+
To do: Take the world’s longest chain of escalators
Distance: 85km (8 hours by bus, 1.5 hours by car)
Good to know: This is not a stroller-friendly day trip. Longqing Gorge is usually a few degrees cooler than Beijing, so pack extra layers of clothing. Small restaurants by the Longqing Gorge parking lot serve cheap and filling home-style dishes. Longqing Gorge is reachable by bus, but the trip is very long; save yourself the trouble and hire a driver instead.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 40 (park admission), RMB 40 (all access), RMB 20/50 (students). Daily 8am-9pm. Address and contact: Longqing Xia, Yanqing County (6919 1020) 延庆县龙庆峡

Getting there
Bus: From Deshengmen subway station, take bus 919 to Yanqing Station (延庆站). Catch a cab to the gate of Longqing Gorge (RMB 20, about 15 minutes).
Car: Take the Badaling Expressway (八达岭高速公路), get off at the Yangqing Exit (延庆出口), and follow the signs for Longqing Gorge.

Ancient Cliff Dwellings (Guyaju) 古崖居
About 90km north of Beijing, there’s a network of cave dwellings carved into the side of stone hills. It’s generally believed that the Xiyi ethnic minority built the caves during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), but not much is known about why or how they did this – or what made them leave. Although access to the 147 caves is mostly restricted to the lower dwellings, the largest cover more than 20sqm and are made up of multiple rooms. Kids will enjoy wiggling into the smallest ones, which have just enough room to lie down in. At the peak, there is a great view of the lake and surrounding valley. Guyaju only takes one or two hours to tour, so this day trip can be combined with a visit to nearby Longqing Gorge.

Recommended ages: 4+
To do: Climb through a mysterious network of caves
Good to know: There aren’t any restaurants or vendors nearby, so pack a picnic and bring lots of water. Though Guyaju is reachable by bus, we recommend hiring a driver. Ample parking is available.
Admission and opening hours: RMB 40, RMB 20 (students), free for kids under 1.2m. Daily 8am-4pm.
Address and contact: Dongmenying Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing County (6911 0333) 延庆县张山营镇东门营村
Distance: 90km (8 hours by bus, 2 hours by car)

Getting there
Bus: On weekdays, take bus 919 from Deshengmen station to Yanqing Dacaiyuan (延庆大菜园), switch to bus 920 towards Xiaying (下营), and get off at Guyaju Lukou (古崖居路口). On weekends, express bus 919 (919快) goes directly to Guyaju.
Car: From Madian Qiao (马甸桥) on North Third Ring Road, take the Badaling Expressway (八达岭高速公路) to Yanqing (延庆), take Jingzhang Lu (金盏路) to Dongmenying Village (东门营村), then follow signs for Guyaju for about 2km.

This article originally appeared on page 40 of the beijingkids June 2015 issue. Click here to read the issue for free on Issuu.com. To find out how you can get your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.

 Eating zhongzi and racing dragon boats might seem like the basic ritual to Dragon Boat Festival, but there is more than meets the eye to this Chinese holiday.

1. In Chinese, Dragon Boat Festival is called “Duan Wu Jie” meaning a holiday on the fifth day of the fifth month, in the Lunar Calendar. So there is no mention of the words, “dragon” or “boat” in Chinese.

2. Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet that lived in the state of Chu (present day Hubei) during the Warring States period in China, is famous for his contributions to the poetry collection known as Song Ci; Songs of the South. He is also the reason why Chinese people celebrate Dragon Boat Festival (according to common folklore). Legend has it that Qu Yuan cared much for his country and exploited the corruption behind the Emperor of the state of Chu. Legend has it that villagers carried dumplings and boats to the middle of the Miluo River after Qu Yuan jumped into the river, hoping that his death would shock the emperor into realizing the effect his corruption had over the state and his people. However, the villagers were too late. In order to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body, they beat drums, and splashed water with their paddles, throwing rice into the water as a food offering to Qu Yuan’s spirits, and to distract fish away from his body.

Not long after, late one night, Qu Yuan’s spirit appeared before his friends and told them to wrap their rice into three-cornered silk packages to ward off the dragon – what we know as zongzi. The rice is now wrapped in reed leaves instead of silk.

This act of racing to search for Qu Yuan’s body gradually became the tradition of dragon boat racing that is held on the anniversary of his death each year.

3. Countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam also participate in this festival, as a process of cultural sharing. South Korea applied to UNESCO for their version of the Dragon Boat Festival to be listed as intangible cultural property, and they were successful. The application, sent by South Korea, was not well received by China.

4. The date-filled zongzi is the most common, but there are different styles of zongzi. Choose from small and big sizes, reed leaf or banana leaf wrappings. They are often filled with one of the following: dates, bean paste, or meat. They can be sweet (eaten with sugar) or salty. One thing is for sure though: They are easily devoured by children and adults of all ages.

5. Since summer has arrived, remember to keep the family safe from germs and diseases that thrive in the heat. Ai Cao (Moxa) is a medical herb that can be hung in the doorway to ward off evil spirits. Xiong Huang Jiu, a wine consisting of realgar, is also a medicinal drink. It is consumed during Dragon Boat Festival as a tradition. These two herbal elements will help support a stronger immune system, while you celebrate the holiday.

6. According to the lunar calendar, June is actually May, and is known as “A hundred toxins in a month”or “bai du yue” in Chinese. This is why Chinese believe it is a good time to cleanse the system and to pay careful attention in warding off diseases.

7. The Quyuan Theory: In the former territory of the state of Wu, the Dragon Boat festival commemorates Wu Zixu, a loyal advisor to the king. However, he was usually ignored by the king. King Fuchai forced him to commit suicide, and his body was thrown into the river on the fifth day of the fifth month. After his death, in Suzhou and other places, Wu Zixu is remembered on Dragon Boat Festival.

8. Dragon Boat Festival or Duan Wu Kie can also be called Nv Er Jie “Daughter’s Holiday.” Although the Qu Yuan Theory is popular in the Northeastern part of China (Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhoushan), people commemorate Cao E instead. Cao E’s father, Cao Xu was a shaman in Zhejiang. In 143 CE, Cao Xu presided over a ceremony commemorating Wu Zixu and accidentally fell into the river. In an act of filial piety, Cao E followed her father into the river and searched for three days. On the fifth day, both were found dead in the river. Eight years later, a temple was built in Shangyu dedicated to the memory of Cao E and her act of filial piety. The tributary of Qiantang River is named after Cao E.

9. In Chinese folklore, Zhong Kui is an exorcist. Pictures of Zhong Kui are hung in the house to scare away evil spirits and demons.

10. Carrying a small spice bag will also drive away evil spirits and bring fortune and happiness to those who wear it.

This post first appeared on June 22, 2012

Photos courtesy of Tolbxela,

In the August cover feature of the Beijinger we went back to the Great Wall and explored it anew: alongside, underneath, and overhead. Here are some of the activities we thought you’d enjoy most:

Romantic Picnic

For intimate dining on the Wall, head out to Red Capital Ranch, a restored Manchurian Hunting lodge, and request the picnic. A simple Tibetan-style lunch will be provided for you to take up to the turret of a nearby Wall section. From there, take in the views of mountains and streams. History brings the true magic of this historical setting to life. Buddhist shrines dot the surrounding valley and are filled with artifacts pre-dating the Tang Dynasty.

The picnic costs around RMB 900 for two, and to sustain the intimacy, a night at the Red Capital Ranch costs RMB 50 for a single room with queen-sized bed. The lodge is staffed by Tibetans and offers a window into Shambhlala and Himalayan culture as well as acting as a sanctuary for dogs.

A version of this article appeared in the August 2013 edition of the Beijinger

This post first appeared on the beijinger here

Photo by Mitchell Pe Masilun

If you’ve asked someone in Beijing, “Where did you get that cool thingamajig?” then you’re probably familiar with the household answer: “Taobao.” Taobao (tāobǎo wǎng 淘宝网) has more than 800 million product listings. It is the go-to website for clothes, electronic products, and other material needs for Chinese locals and the growing international community alike. Taobao offers free listings for sellers, a feature that spurred the shopping site’s initial growth. Taobao’s other features include an instant messaging tool to facilitate buyer-seller communication and the escrow-based payment tool, Alipay.

Taobao consists of a broader, eBay-like marketplace and Tian Mao, or Tmall (www.tmall.com). It’s free to list on Taobao’s marketplace, but Tmall requires a basic fee to become a seller. This means that Tmall carries a higher guarantee that the product is legitimate. In general, if you are worried about scams on Taobao, be sure to check the star ratings (1-5) for each seller, which can be found on the top of the page, usually underneath the main product picture. These ratings and comments provide insight into the quality of a seller and their products.

Sign on the Dotted Line
You can sign up for an account (miǎnfèi zhùcè 免费注册) via the Taobao mobile phone app. However, the server for that service is often busy, so we recommend registering via computer. Here’s how:

1) On the site, look for the free registration link (miǎnfèi zhùcè 免费注册) on the upper left hand corner of the Taobao homepage. When signing up, type in your desired username (yònghù míng 用户名) and desired password (dēnglù mìmǎ 登录密码), and retype your password (quèrèn mìmǎ 确认密码). Write out the confirmation code and click to accept the terms and conditions (tóngyì xiéyì bìng zhùcè 同意协议并注册).

2) On the next page, confirm your account info. Select country and area (guójiā dìqū 国家/地区). Often the selection is already made for you as “Chinese mainland” (zhōngguó dàlù 中国大陆) from the dropbox. Then, fill in your mobile number after the +86 country code. Check the box below to agree to Alipay’s terms and conditions (zhīfùbǎo xiéyì 支付宝协议). Click the orange link to read the document in its entirety; if you’re worried about your Chinese skills, have a Chinese-speaking friend look it over.

3) A text window shows up as you click “Next page” (xià yī yè 下一页) and navigate onwards, fill in the six-digit number code you have just received via text message. Be quick in typing the code, as it expires in one minute. If you don’t input the code in time, you will have to redo the confirmation step again.

4) Once your account has been successfully registered, you will move on to the next page and a green check mark bubble will appear. Click on the Taobao Wang icon (tāobǎo wǎng 淘宝网) to return to the homepage. Now, you can start shopping!

The Big Search
Below is a mini-guide to the basics of searching for products. If you type English into the search bar just to the right of the Taobao icon, you will most likely find the kind of product you are looking for – Chinese keywords will only broaden that search. Tmall (tiānmāo 天猫) is the second icon to the right of the Taobao icon. More legitimate than the marketplace, it also sells many middle- to low-end Chinese brand products.

Once you type in the search item name, click “Search” (sōusuǒ 搜索). An array of products will show up. Click on specific items; use your own judgment and review the comments.

Products from Taobao might not meet your expectations or match the photo presented, so it’s vital to troll through ratings and comments. If your Chinese reading isn’t up to par, give Google Translate a spin – the translation might be basic, but it can be quite helpful. The best solution is finding a Chinese-speaking friend to assist in checking product reviews.

Symbols to Note:

7 days to return (first day is counted from the date that the product is received by the buyer)

Purchased goods sent within 24 hours

Part of Taobao sellers’ circle

Legitimate product

Overseas product

Pay in cash when the product arrives

Choose size amount and style and click the orange button on the left to buy immediately or the blue button to add the item to your shopping cart.

Shipping You Can Handle
Fill in your information in the areas boxed in green (shown left). Your street address can be filled in using Chinese characters as well as pinyin.

In shipping options, courier (kuàidì 快递) is usually the preferred method. EMS is trackable and (in theory) more reliable, but it’s usually a bit slower than kuaidi. Delivery companies typically call before they arrive at your home or office.

Pay Up
The pay page will show up, use the first tab Alipay (zhīfù bǎo 支付宝), fill in your pay password and click the orange button to continue. When shopping on Taobao, it is important to note that a seller’s legitimacy is not guaranteed by Taobao; buyers purchase at their own risk. Only Alipay (zhīfùbǎo 支付宝) has guidelines to ensure that a buyer is not scammed. For instance, money is not transferred to the seller if the buyer is unhappy with the quality of the product.

Search for shops located in Beijing (北京); it will say just right of the price when you first click on the product. Shipping costs (yùnfèi 运费) will be around RMB 0-10 if the product is shipped from within China.

It’s Easy with Alipay
First, get to website navigation (wǎngzhàn dǎoháng 网站导航), located on the top right hand corner of Taobao’s home page. A dropbox will show up. Under the third box of tools (gōngjù 工具), select Alipay (zhīfùbǎo 支付宝). You will be directed to a page where you can click (zhùcè 注册) to register.

1 Input the same email you used to register your Taobao account.

2 Fill in the following information: the same email you used for Taobao, an Alipay sign-in password, an Alipay payment password, and a security code question.

3 Provide more details: personal or company account, your full name in capital letters, your passport number, mobile phone, and a second contact number.

4 Once you’ve submitted this information, the next page should look like the image pictured on the right.

5 In your email, activate your Alipay account by clicking the link (in the image circled to the left). Double-check your spam folder if you can’t find it.

6 You will be re-directed to a Taobao page confirming that your Alipay account is activated.

More Online Shopping

Taobao will have almost all the products you dream of buying, from the real deal to cheap copies (foreign and Chinese brands included). Baby, toddler, and kids products are abundant, as well as fashionable or sporting goods that you or your teen might be interested in.

360Buy 京东商城
www.360buy.com (Chinese only)
360Buy is a well-known site with a good reputation and over 25 million registered users. They have every wardrobe staple a kid could want, as well as Disney clothes and accessories. Orders under RMB 39 have a RMB 5 delivery charge; delivery is free for orders over RMB 39.

Vancl 凡客诚品
www.vancl.com (Chinese only)
This clothing website offers an extensive clothing line and ships to 87 countries. Casual clothing ranges from RMB 30 to 300 for shirts, shorts, pants, shoes, underwear, shoes and accessories. The delivery fee is RMB 5 and orders in Beijing are shipped within 24 hours. They accept returns, and you can pay with a card upon delivery. There is an English site, but those orders cannot be shipped to China.

ROMWE
www
.romwe.com
This Nanjing-based site is akin to the fashionable British-based shopping website ASOS. ROMWE’s site is in English, and ships for free worldwide with no minimum purchase required. Clothing styles available are suitable for teens and young women. Romwe has also been recognized by fashionable people worldwide for its on-trend products.

Lijia Baby 丽家宝贝
www.lijiababy.com.cn/eshop (Chinese only)
For expecting parents, Lijia Baby stocks goods for children between the ages 0 and 5. Physical branches are located throughout Beijing, including Wangjing and Yaojiayuan, but the website is much easier to use. Products are delivered a day after purchase.

This article is excerpted from beijingkids September 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.

For some, like Redundant Seconds, making music with friends allows teens to bond and create in ways that aren’t otherwise possible. For bands like Mi Ni, being part of a music group has helped them overcome shyness and become more confident. beijingkids sat down with both bands to hear their story and find out their aspirations for the future. 

Redundant Seconds
Redundant Seconds was formed in 2009 by a group of friends with similar interests. Members include Nepalese Sid Silwal (guitar, singer, songwriter) and Catalonian Lluc Sitjas (bass, backing, vocals), both 18 and recently graduates from Beijing No. 55 High School. The band is rounded out by 16-year-old Masaki Kobayashi of Japan, who plays drums and provides backing vocals. Silwal and Kobayashi have lived in Beijing for about five years, while Sitjas has been here for 16.

The guys decided to call themselves Redundant Seconds to reflect the repetition of things in life. Citing their main influence as Green Day, the band also finds inspiration in The Vines, Oasis, The Strokes, and The Ramones. “We have a lot of influences, so that’s what makes us Redundant Seconds,” says Silwal. 

Silwal and Sitjas first met at No. 55 while studying in the school’s international department – and they’ve come a long way as a band. Redundant Seconds has recorded an independent 10-track studio album, which includes, “World My Way” and “Flying High Again.” They have played gigs at rock festivals, music venues, and birthday parties.

“We started out playing in our friends’ rooms and now we are playing big clubs like Tango and 2 Kolegas,” says Silwal. “We have evolved musically, too. We write better and have a better stage presence.”

While Redundant Seconds is now working towards bigger and better things, it hasn’t always been easy. For one, all the members of the band are self-taught. “[Sitjas and I] used to bring our little amps and guitars to school every day,” says Silwal. “We [practiced during]lunchtime or between classes.” Initially, both Silwal and Sitjas played guitar and covered Green Day songs, but experimented with finding their own sound by playing along to the music. They originally called themselves The Jump Outs, before solidifying their identity when Kobayashi joined. “It was a great experience working with a drummer, because I felt [freer]musically,” says Silwal. Soon after, Sitjas picked up a bass guitar and Redundant Seconds was born.

It’s not easy to form a band, especially in high school, but the trio managed by making all decisions as a group. Silwal writes the songs while Sitjas and Kobayashi work out the arrangements for drums, beats, and bass lines. Sitjas’ father helped out by booking a few shows for them, but Redundant Seconds has never had a manager. Though Silwal and Sitjas have graduated, the band is still active. They are planning a follow-up album now, in hopes of getting signed one day to an independent record label. Ultimately, the most meaningful part of the experience is belonging to something creative. “Being with friends and making art together is a feeling you can’t describe,” says Silwal.

Mi Ni
Above a clothing store in Xinjiekou, there’s a practice studio that is home to one of Beijing’s youngest bands. Mi Ni is 10-year-old Zhu Xueqi (rhythm guitar), 8-year-old Li Zhaoxuan (lead guitar), 10-year-old Yin Xiaohan (bass), and 9-year-old Ling Haotian (drums). Both Ling and Zhu attend Yuying Primary School, while Li and Yin attend Beijing No. 1 Experimental School and Cuiwei Primary School respectively.

At the interview, Mi Ni delivered a rousing performance of “Love Rock Music,” a fast-paced rock song that combines Chinese and English. The band’s primary influence is local Chinese band Lingdian Yuedui (also known as “Zero Band”). Lead singer Zhu likes listening to Michael Jackson’s “This Girl is Dangerous” and “Just Beat It,” as well as “Help!” by The Beatles. Drummer Ling has more mainstream tastes, preferring popular artists like Justin Bieber.

Ah Mu, the band’s teacher, has been teaching Li, Yin, and Ling how to play drums since they were in kindergarten. Over time, the members transitioned to other instruments. It wasn’t until two years ago that Li realized he and his classmate Zhu realized they shared an interest in music. Ah Mu helped the kids form a quartet and the band was named Mi Ni to reflect the members’ youth. Driven by his own passion for rock, Ah Mu is instrumental in keeping the young
musicians focused. “It’s about the spirit of rock,” he says. Picture a younger, less hairy version of Jack Black’s character from School of Rock, and you’ve got yourself a basic understanding of the Chinese school of rock epitomized by Mi Ni.

Apart from weekly band practices with Ah Mu, the members of Mi Ni follow intensive music classes for their respective instruments. According to Zhu and Yin’s mothers, the most important aspect of being in a band is the all-around music learning experience. They wanted their kids to learn music at an early age, so they have a hobby to enjoy when they’re older. For now, this extracurricular activity hasn’t affected regular schoolwork. In fact, the opportunity to perform at a number of local events has helped the kids overcome their shyness. Ling’s mother has noticed that with this experience, her son has become more outgoing than other students of the same age.

The members of Mi Ni have high hopes for the future. Mi Ni has already appeared on a show called Kuaile Qintang on CCTV 15. “We have lots of fans at school,” says Zhu. He wants to record an album and enter the music business as a professional singer. But for now, the band members go about their daily lives as elementary school students.

This article is excerpted from beijingkids August 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.

The Small (to Medium) Stuff
Getting rid of the little things in your life (toys, clothes, gadgets) will really take the weight off your shoulders. It’s recommended that you start this process two months in advance.

There’s nothing wrong with going the old-fashioned route and hosting
your own garage sale. If it’s convenient, you can host one from your
apartment or compound garden. Otherwise, many schools have their own yard sales. To find out about the latest events or to list your own online, visit beijingkids or the Beijinger’s websites.

Regarding recyclable items, people will actually pay you for your excess cardboard, paper and plastics. They won’t pay much, but at least they’ll take it off your hands. They’ll even pay for your old appliances and furniture. They can also move furniture for you. This will cost you, but you can negotiate a fair price. Simply seek out one of those people on the street with a bike trailer and arrange for them to pick up your stuff, or ask your management office if they can help arrange a collection for you.

Donate, Don’t Dump
You may also choose to give some of your belongings a new lease on life by donating them. Roundabout Charity Distribution Store accepts toys, clothes, home electronics, and kitchen supplies – pretty much anything that can be carried. The charity asks that everything be in good, clean, working condition. Freecycle Beijing, a Yahoo group open to all, is for those who want to pass on their goods to others in the community. Everything posted must be available for free.

Tongxin Huhui is a charity organization that helps migrant workers in Beijing. They accept donations that can help migrant workers, such as clothes and home electronics as well as funding. With eight spots located at different areas in Beijing, the organization welcomes people to drop off any donations at their spots as well apply online for getting donations picked up by the organization workers.

Sun Village is an organization that helps children whose parents are in prison. They welcome donations, such as clothes, books, toys, home electrics and anything that is suitable for children aged 1 to 18.

Car Complex
Be warned: The toughest thing in Beijing to make a clean break from will be your car, especially since the license lottery has taken effect. Nowadays, person-to-person sales can only take place when the buyer already has a car permit. Don’t let this discourage you though. It’s worth trying to find someone for a person-to-person sale, as you will have a better chance of selling your car for the price you want. Put your car on the market as soon as possible. You can advertise the sale on the Beijinger and beijingkids classifieds.

Another alternative is going through a used car dealership. Huaxiang Used Car Market is Beijing’s largest used car market with over 300 dealers and over 3,000 cars on any given day. Places like this are both good and bad; you will probably sell your car, but you’ll have to negotiate
like crazy and in the end, will probably end up selling at a less than desirable price. If you do end up at a used car lot, bring a translator and don’t give off the impression that you’re desperate to sell.

AAA Expatcar offers car and driver services, in addition to being a second hand car dealership – with English service. If you are intimidated by the market, bring your car to them.

Whether you donate them, or simply pass them along to friends or strangers, getting rid of your unwanted belongings can lessen the burden of a big move. Slowly, but surely, you’ll feel lighter as you move on to your next destination.

Resources

the Beijinger Classifieds
www.thebeijinger.com/classifieds

beijingkids Classifieds
www.beijing-kids.com/classifieds

Roundabout Charity Distribution Store
Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Opposite East Gate of the International School of Beijing, 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District (137 1801 1124 English, 137 1805 3814 Chinese only) www.roundaboutchina.com 顺义区安华街10号（北京顺义国际学校东门对面）

Tongxin Huhui
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Bldg 8, Huajiadi Nanli, Chaoyang District (6473 2513 Chinese only) www.tongxinhuhui.org 朝阳区花家地南里8号楼 See Directory under Community and Organizations for more locations.

Sun Village
Daily 8am-5pm. Banqiao Village, Zhaoquanying Town,  Shunyi District (6044 3523, ertongcun@163.com) cn.sunvillage.com.cn
顺义区赵全营镇板桥村

Freecycle Beijing Yahoo Group
www.freecycle.org
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/
FreecycleBeijing/

Huaxiang Used Car Market 花乡二手车交易市场
111B, Nansihuan Zhonglu, Fengtai District (135 2050 6800) 丰台区南四环中路B区111

AAA Expatcar
Daily 9am-5pm. 18 Liyuan Beijie, Tongzhou District (8152 3060, sales@expatcar.com) www.expatcar.com 通州区梨园北街18号院

This article is excerpted from beijingkids Home & Relocation Guide 2012. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.

1. Thou shalt get up early for class.
Even if your classes are at noon, chances are you still won’t wake up before it starts. In the long run, this can be a big problem because it can have serious consequences on your schoolwork. Don’t be influenced by the roommate who never wakes up to go to class or who oversleeps and has difficulty hearing their alarm clock.

2. Thou shalt sit in the front row.
“Yay, my professor can see me now.” Whether you go to a small liberal arts college with a low student-to-faculty ratio or huge research university with big lecture halls, you should sit in the front row if you want to succeed in your classes. Teachers will notice you and it’ll be easier to pay attention. If you start dozing off, sitting in the front row will snap you right back to class.

3. Thou shalt attend class. 
Going to class is probably the most important thing you can do in college. Homework assignments, new ideas, and material that will appear on tests are explained during class. Missing more than three will knock points off your attendance grade at many colleges and universities.

4. Thou shalt help out students missed class.
Unless you have a very good relationship with your professor, don’t email them asking for homework; it reflects badly on you. If you help out a classmate who missed class and emailed you about homework and notes, they’ll return the favor the next time you’re sick or absent. But if you slack off too much, nobody – not even your classmates – will want to help you out.

5. Thou shalt be civil to your roommates.
If your roommate is slamming the door or frying up burgers in the wee hours of the night, you need to tell her it’s not cool. But for the most part, roommate problems should be dealt with respectfully. Since you’ll have to live with this person the whole semester or school year, don’t sweat the small stuff but stand up for yourself if she crosses the line. If she wants to eat your kiwi peel (true story), let her; it’s weird, but her gastronomic quirks aren’t harming anyone. If she doesn’t clean up the bathroom for one day, let it go. In the long run, you’ll realize that it’s much easier to live and let live.

6. Thou shalt be smart about your personal belongings.
It’s easy to get lulled into a sense of safety when you live in a dorm, but thefts do happen. Get a safety box with a lock if you need to store some cash or have valuable jewelry. During my first year of college, someone decided to take my Burberry perfume and makeup from my room. They weren’t stunningly expensive, but it irritated me to know that I wasn’t living in a safe environment.

7. Thou shalt not sign people you don’t know into the dorms.
Signing in people you don’t know as a favor to your roommate can seem like a nice thing to do, but what if the person you sign in causes trouble or ends up hurting people? That person then becomes your responsibility. Unless you’re willing to shoulder that burden, just don’t do it. 

8. Thou shalt call home once a week. 
It really depends on your relationship with your parents and what kind of person you are, but calling home will make mom and dad very happy. You’ll also feel less homesick and more caught-up with the people you care about.

9. Thou shalt stay in touch with old friends.
I don’t mean all the time, but emailing, calling, or simply Facebooking close friends every few weeks or month is rewarding. Relationships take work to maintain; invest some time in it. Knowing that you have good friends elsewhere in the world takes the loneliness of being in college away.

10. Thou shalt find your own niche.
It’s as important to make new friends as it is to keep old ones. Being part of a group gives you a sense of belonging and is one of the most fundamental parts of university life.  That being said, be sure to give yourself enough alone time to clear your thoughts, set goals, and determine your priorities. In college, you come into your own as an individual. No one will have the same classes as you all the time, so learn to enjoy your own company and fend for yourself. Finding  a personal hangout spot will help with this process. Try going to a campus cafe to study do some studying or get away from the general hubbub.

In conclusion, this is only a small portion of what you can do as a college freshman. Every person will meet different obstacles. In a large public university, some might feel the need to join a sorority or fraternity to find friends or engage in more lively activities. In an urban school environment, others might need to learn how to be more independent since there’s no one there to hold your hand.

Ultimately, your own personality, upbringing, and perhaps the core values of your school will affect your college experience as a whole. Try to make things work for you instead of waiting around for them, but also remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. If you’re unsatisfied with your college, it’s not the end of the world; you can always transfer. Finding the right fit can provide you not only with an education, but peers and experiences that you never thought possible.

“Life Beyond Beijing” is a series of posts that chronicles a former international school student’s experiences in college. This is the final installment of the series. They’re written by Elizabeth Wu, a returning beijingkids summer intern.  A former student of BWYA and CISB, she just completed her freshman year of journalism and will be returning to The New School in New York City this fall. Good luck, Liz!

Photo credits (in order of appearance): Jellaluna, UC Davis College of Engineering, Tulane Public Relations, anitakhart, and baslow via Flickr