Have you been tired of the crowds in
Beijing? If the answer is yes, then you can hop on the bullet train from
Beijing South Railway Station and within 20 minutes, you will be transported to
another world - tranquil yet exciting, which will remind one of a quiet farming
town and a romantic Italian riverside county.
Wuqing, a 20-minute train ride from Beijing
and 10-minute ride from Tianjin, is ideal for a day trip from the two
metropolises. The earliest train departs at 6:45 am from Beijing South station;
20 others follow throughout the day. You could start your adventure at the
center of the town, from the Culture Park. There, you will witness people
practicing tai chi, playing Chinese yo-yo, or kongzhu (a toy consisting of two
equally sized discs connected with a long axle) and twisting to the Yangko
dance, without a care in the world.
A district within Tianjin, Wuqing boasts
several parks within walking distances of its town center.
The best part about the parks is their
serenity. You can enjoy almost complete solitude in the company of reeds,
flowers and stretches of clear water.
The parks run along the banks of the Great
Canal between Beijing and Hangzhou - where the scenery is beautiful. There are
fluffy reeds, florets, rows of trees, occasional flocks of sheep, wide patches
of golden fields and a tranquil little village.
Also along the banks of the canal is a
pathway that meets the standards of international-level marathons and cycling
events.
At the end of the northern stretch of the
canal, there is a trailer park. Caravans that come with a small garden are
parked sporadically on that plot of land. They are available for rent, with two
weeks' advance reservation. Adjacent to it is a parterre, children's playground
and aisles ideal for lovers.
The place is also good for camping, picnics
or barbecues under the shade.
If such a pastime proves too quiet and
lonesome, the district has something else to offer.
For those looking to experience (near) zero
gravity and heart-stopping thrills, Victory Park is the answer.
The park has the highest "speed
racer" in Asia, where a carriage is pushed up both ends of a U-shaped
track and let down suddenly and repeatedly. Its other major attractions are the
swinging Pirate Ship, shriek-inducing spinning roller coaster, suspended
looping coaster and an adventure section called In Somalia.
While teenagers enjoy the theme park, the
Florentia Village next to it is a draw for women of all ages - and not just
because of the hint of Italian romance. Strolling in the village is to be
transported through time and space. Modeled after Venice, it has a river that
cuts through the middle, gondolas parked at the shore, photogenic drawbridges
and a central plaza with spouting fountains specially made to look ancient and
Italian.
But it's really a hub of outlet shops that
include everything from Burberry, Prada and Jimmy Choo to Gap, Tod's and
Diesel. It's a one-stop shopping destination, with a wide range of shops for
each family member, and food outlets, playgrounds for children and alleyways
good for holding hands.
The general image it aims for is displayed
on its posters: Michelangelo's David in designer jeans, one arm holding several
shopping bags and the other pointing triumphantly at the village, a shopping
haven with exotic taste.
The popularity of Florentia Village and its
200 brands is proven by the almost-packed parking lot. Judging by the license
plates, some 70 percent visitors come from Beijing.
It's more than an hour's drive away from
the capital, but here is the perk: The outlet village is right across the
street from the rail station.
Besides, phase two of the village is under
construction. More brands and discounts are expected within the coming year.
The village closes at 8 pm in winter, and
leaves more than enough time to get a pack of Wuqing's signature salted
peanuts, amble over to the railway station, and hop on the last train for
Beijing. It leaves at a quarter to nine.
