Beijing is the capital city of China, and has been the seat of the Ming and Qing Dynasty rulers until 1911. It is a city rich with history, and is the cultural and political centre of China. It is a huge city with several districts, each containing their own unique blend of historical sites, restaurants, and nightlife.

Dongcheng District

One of the most popular districts in Beijing is the Dongcheng District. It is located in the north east of the central city area. There are many historical attractions to enjoy in this fascinating part of the city. Here are some of the best attractions within the Dongcheng District:

Tiananmen Square

Built by Mao, this is the largest public square in the world. It is surrounded by government buildings and impressive Soviet monuments, and it the fact that it is a popular gathering place for visitors to Beijing means that it there is a diverse crowd here from all over the world which is perfect for people watching. Check out the four majestic marble lions which guard the front of the Tiananmen Gate, and look for the bullet hole in the stomach of the northwest one from the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. Also located within the square is the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall where you can see people laying flowers at the feet of Mao’s statue inside.

The Forbidden City

This beautiful historical complex of buildings held the purpose of the Imperial Palace from the era of the Ming Dynasty all the way up to the Qing Dynasty, making it the home of emperors and their families for nearly 500 years.  It is the largest surviving palace complex in the world, and is a popular tourist attraction in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. It is now under the charge of the Palace Museum, and showcases a beautiful collection of artwork and artefacts from the imperial ages. It is worth visiting this beautiful complex of buildings to see the splendid painted decoration, grand hallways, and magnificent treasures that are on display here.

Yonghe Temple

The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Lama Temple, is a Tibetan Buddhist temple located within the Dongcheng District of Beijing. It was built by ancient Chinese emperors who were fascinated with the Tibetan version of Buddhism. It has been a working temple for many years, and there are still Tibetan and Mongolian monks who live and teach here. While you are here, check out the amazing 18 metre statue of Maitreya Buddha which is carved from a single piece of sandalwood.

These are just a few of the important historical sites that you can visit within the Dongcheng District of Beijing.

A convenient place to stay in the Dongcheng District is the Radisson Blu Hotel Beijing, which is located right next to the China International Exhibition Centre. The modern rooms are equipped with satellite TV and air conditioning, and the hotel facilities include a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Enjoy your visit to fascinating Beijing!

Turkey is a huge and very culturally rich country. A visit here is an eye opener as well as excellent fun for people looking for all sorts of holidays.

Turkey is a wonderful country, offering the chance to see a mix between the West and the Middle East, while having a thoroughly enjoyable time.

The country has a deeply ingrained and wonderful culture with some wonderful traditions that you can really enjoy on a trip to the country. There are number of must do things when in the country.

One of these is to have a Turkish bath and just relax. Turkish Baths are a variation on the steam bath or sauna.

The bath is very similar to ones found in Roman tradition and involves people entering a warm room, with dry air where they perspire, before entering a warmer room and following up with a dip in cold water to close the pores. This is then followed with a massage and creates a very relaxing way to spend a few hours in Turkey.

Another wonderful evening to spend is in the bazaar. Here you will find any number of items, though the one you should look into purchasing or at least sitting on is a rug. Turkish rugs are beautiful and look amazing. If you do decide to buy something make sure to spend your time haggling – a national pastime. Not only is it fun but you may also get a better deal. There are numerous kinds of souvenirs and antiques on offer for you to bring home a piece of Turkey with you.

If you want to relax and get away from the craziness of the market pace get yourself a cup of Turkish coffee and a sesame covered simit and sit in a local coffee shop and watch the world go by. This is a tasty and also a great way to pass the time. It is also a great way to see the Turkish love of confectionery.

Belly dancing is also at home in Turkey and it is certainly worth seeing one for the dress and the style that go with it. There are often belly dancers in restaurants throughout the country as a form of entertainment, so keep an eye out for one.

If you are in Istanbul a boat cruise on the Bosphorus is a necessity and it is a great way to see the city from top to bottom. Istanbul is a wonderfully busy city where tradition and modernity meet. A visit to the city is a must to see the wonderful mosques and buildings in the different styles from the Ottoman Empire to others.

When in Istanbul or any city for that matter get a haircut and shave using the traditional razor. This old fashioned means not only gives a close cut but is also surprisingly relaxing as well as making you sure you look your best.

Jim Dean is a travel writer who loves to blog about different places to go. He also works for Etihad Airways who offer flights to Turkey and flights to Istanbul if you are interested in visiting the country.