Day 1-2: The Journey North Begins
My honeymoon adventure started the day after our wedding ceremony. That evening, my wife and I boarded a northbound train from our hometown, embarking on what would become a thirty-eight-hour journey (two nights and one day) to Beijing. The anticipation kept us awake as the train rattled through the Chinese countryside. Finally, we arrived at the newly opened Beijing West Station—a modern marvel that signaled the city's rapid development.
Day 3: First Stop—Chengde
We wasted no time. Immediately after stepping off the train, we caught a bus to Beijing Railway Station and purchased tickets to Chengde. Our lunch? Two cups of instant noodles purchased at the station for just 10 yuan total—simple, but we were too excited to care. By evening, we had arrived in Chengde.
Day 4: The Outer Temples & Pounding Rock
The next morning, we hired a private car to explore Chengde's famous attractions. First stop: Qingchui Peak (Pounding Rock)—a massive rock formation that looks like a hammer striking downward. We took the cable car up (20 yuan) for a panoramic view of the city.
Then came the highlight—three of the famous Outer Eight Temples (外八庙, Wài Bā Miào). Rain cut our visit short, preventing us from seeing all eight, but what we witnessed left us in awe. The Pule Temple (普乐寺), Puning Temple (普宁寺) with its towering wooden Buddha, and the magnificent Putuo Zongcheng Temple (普陀宗乘之庙)—modeled after Tibet's Potala Palace—showcased the Qing Dynasty's devotion to Tibetan Buddhism.
Practical Info
Qingchui Peak National Forest Park: 15 yuan entry Qingchui Peak Cable Car: 20 yuan round trip Puning Temple: 20 yuan Putuo Zongcheng Temple: 20 yuan
Day 5: The Mountain Resort & Return to Beijing
Our fifth day began at the Chengde Mountain Resort (避暑山庄, Bìshǔ Shānzhuāng)—the summer retreat of Qing emperors. Entry cost only 3 yuan back then. Walking through its sprawling gardens, lakes, and pavilions, I understood why emperors chose this cool mountain refuge over Beijing's sweltering summers.
By afternoon, we boarded the train back to Beijing and checked into the Guiyang Hotel on Sanlihe Road—a modest but comfortable base for the next leg of our journey.
Day 6: Beijing's Cultural Treasures
Beijing welcomed us with open arms. We started at Daguanyuan (大观园, Grand View Garden)—the 10-yuan ticket transported us into the world of Dream of the Red Chamber. Then we explored Temple of Heaven (天坛, Tiāntán) (14 yuan), where emperors once prayed for good harvests. The circular Echo Wall fascinated us—we stood at opposite ends and whispered to each other across the vast courtyard. We finished at Yonghe Temple (雍和宫) (10 yuan), Beijing's largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery.
Day 7: World Park
Day seven took us to Beijing World Park (世界公园)—a curious 48-yuan attraction featuring miniature replicas of global landmarks. Standing before a scaled-down Eiffel Tower and Pyramids on the outskirts of Beijing felt surreal, but it offered a whimsical break from traditional sightseeing.
Day 8: Conquering the Great Wall
"Until you reach the Great Wall, you're no hero"—the ancient saying echoed in my mind as we boarded the train from Beijing Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城). Standing on those ancient stones, winding through mountains like a sleeping dragon, I finally understood the weight of that phrase. Entry cost 25 yuan. The physical climb challenged us, but the panoramic views of endless mountains made every step worthwhile.
Day 9: Halls of Power & Imperial Gardens
We began day nine at the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂)—the seat of Chinese political power. Walking through its vast banquet halls and assembly rooms (15 yuan entry) gave us insight into modern China's governance.
The afternoon belonged to the Summer Palace (颐和园, Yíhé Yuán). This 8-yuan ticket opened the doors to China's most elegant imperial garden. We strolled along Kunming Lake, crossed the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and climbed Longevity Hill for sweeping views of the temple-studded landscape. Every pavilion and corridor told stories of emperors and empresses who once sought refuge here from the Forbidden City's politics.
Day 10: Ruins of Empire
The Old Summer Palace (圆明园, Yuánmíng Yuán) ruins moved us deeply. Once called the "Garden of Gardens," British and French forces destroyed it in 1860. Walking through its desolate remains (8 yuan entry), broken columns, and scattered stones, I felt the weight of history's tragedies. We added a 6-yuan boat ride across its remaining lakes.
Later, we visited Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)—the world's largest public square. Standing in its vastness, surrounded by monuments and the Great Hall, we felt dwarfed by the scale of Chinese history and ambition.
Day 11: The Forbidden City & Central Lakes
Day eleven began with ascending Tiananmen (天安门) itself. Standing where Chairman Mao once declared the founding of the People's Republic, hearing his recorded voice echo "Long live the people," sent chills down my spine (15 yuan).
Then came the highlight: the Forbidden City (故宫, Gùgōng). This 30-yuan ticket granted access to nine thousand rooms spread across 72 hectares. We explored the Treasure Gallery (5 yuan) housing imperial jade and gold artifacts, and the Clock Gallery (5 yuan) with its mechanical wonders from Europe.
We continued to Beihai Park (北海公园) (5 yuan), climbing to the White Dagoba on Yong'an Temple (10 yuan) for views over the lake. Our final stop: Jingshan Park (景山公园) (5 yuan), where we climbed Prospect Hill for the iconic view of the Forbidden City's golden roofs.
Day 12: China's Ethnic Diversity
Day twelve brought us to the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park (中华民族博物院). This 60-yuan attraction showcased traditional architecture, costumes, and customs of China's 56 ethnic groups. It offered fascinating insights into the country's cultural diversity beyond the dominant Han culture.
Day 13: Mao's Legacy & Daoist Temples
Our final full day began with a solemn visit to the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (毛主席纪念堂). Joining the long queue of Chinese citizens paying respects to their founding father was a powerful cultural experience. Photography was strictly prohibited.
Then we explored Baiyun Temple (白云观)—the headquarters of Chinese Taoism (8 yuan). This peaceful complex, with its ancient gingko trees and halls dedicated to various deities, offered spiritual tranquility amid Beijing's bustle.
Day 15: Homebound
After two weeks of adventure, we boarded our train home. As we arrived back in Guiyang, my wife and I looked at each other with tired but grateful smiles. This journey had given us not just photographs and souvenirs, but shared memories that would bind us together for decades to come.