Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a big concern in Beijing, and you're right to be a little edgy about what you might be dip-
ping yourself into at some places. The Chaoyang water park, however, has the reputation
of maintaining higher standards of cleanliness. Finally, if you're willing to go farther out,
closer to Shunyi you'll find Crab Island and Merry Water World in northeast Chaoyang.
Adults can join in the fun at Happy Valley (
http://bj.happyvalley.cn
)
, at the corner of the
East Fourth Ring South Road and the Jingha Expressway. This is Beijing's answer to Dis-
neyland. There are a few other fun parks around Beijing, but this is the biggest and the one
with the best rides. You may have heard horror stories about some fun parks in China, but
there's no need to worry with Happy Valley. It's a well run and highly maintained park.
Essential locations in your GPS are art areas 798, near Lido, and Caochangdi, near the
intersection of the Airport Expressway and the Fifth Ring Road. A trip to 798 can easily fill
an entire day. In addition to the multitude of galleries, there are excellent cafés, tiny shops
with quirky goods, and a constant stream of events. A good guide to Beijing's individual
galleries and what's happening in Beijing's art world can be found at art site Artforum (
ht-
While you're out at Caochangdi, pop by the China National Film Museum
(
www.cnfm.org.cn
)
. It's just inside the Huantie (railway circle) on Nanying Lu. A film
buff's fantasy, this immense complex takes you through China's entire history of film, and
may actually take up a good half of your day. Much of the content is in Chinese, but a lot of
it is translated into English and is still extremely interesting.
The subway in Chaoyang just keeps getting better and better. It now has 10 lines that pass
through it, including Line 1 and the Batong Line, Line 5 and the Yizhuang Line, as well
as Lines 6, 8, 10, 13, and 15 and the Airport Express. By 2014, Lines 7 and 14 will also
contribute to it.
Currently the only major station in Chaoyang is Beijing East Railway Station, which is just
south of Dawang Lu subway station (Line 1) on Baiziwan Lu by Dongjiao market. It is
primarily a freight station, but you can take trains from here to Chengde as well as parts of
