Freetime Suggestions
Beijing
OLYMPIC NATIONAL STADIUM
Affectionately known as the “Bird's Nest,” this was the main stadium of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Now it's the center of international and domestic sports competition and recreation activities. The design of this large stadium was accomplished together by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron and Chinese architect Li Xinggang and the others. This fascinating steel structure must be seen to be believed.
TEMPLE OF CONFUCIUS
Located on Guozijian St. inside Anding Gate, the ornate Temple of Confucius is where people paid homage to Confucius during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). One item of note is the 700-year-old Chujian Bai (Touch Evil Cypress) in the temple courtyard.
HUTONGS & TEA HOUSES
Hutongs are the small winding streets and alleys of Beijing that originated during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). "Hutong" is a Mongolian word, meaning "water well" as people built their settlements around the water. Try out a pedicab
(cycle-rickshaw) ride to one of the many tea houses in the bustling, colorful neighborhoods.
Shanghai
SHOPPING
Shop until you drop on China's premier shopping street Nanjing Road, or head for the Yuyuan Bazaar for Chinese crafts and jewelry not far from the Bund. Nanjing Road is a long street. The more famous part lies in the east near the Bund (Nanjing Road East), with a 1-km long pedestrian boulevard (Metro line 2 at Nanjing Road East station, formerly called Henan Road station) lined with busy shops. The bargains are endless.
JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE
This beautiful temple is an active Buddhist monastery today (devoted to the Chan or Zen sect, which originated in China). Many come to see the temple's two gorgeous white jade Buddhas, each carved from an individual slab of Burmese jade and brought to Shanghai in 1881 by the monk Huigeng, who was on his way back from Burma to his hometown on nearby Putuo Shan (Putuo Island).