From the Washington Post:
Q. We’re active travelers going to China and don’t want to just sit on a bus. Any advice?
Nancy Reed, Luray, Va.A. Trade in your bus ticket for a pair of sturdy shoes: China is made for walking. “In every city, you can do a hiking or walking tour,” says Helen Yue, manager of China Custom Tours, which has offices in New York and New Jersey. “You get a much better sense of the city by walking around.”
Beijing has numerous foot tours; Yue, for example, recommends the Hutong tour, which takes travelers through ancient alleys as well as to a school, to a local family’s home for tea or a meal, and on a pedicab ride. For a day trip from Beijing, hike many miles atop a portion of the Great Wall. (You’ll need to hire a car or take a bus to reach the wall, so ask your hotel about arranging a ride.) Shanghai, known as the Paris of the East, is also a pedestrian-friendly city, especially on the waterfront. The Bund has 50-odd buildings displaying myriad architectural styles, a riverfront park, restaurants and other attractions. Boats cruising the Huangpu River day and night depart from here. [Full Text]
