Stretching east of Beijing from Sihui, the Batong Line is one of the oldest subway lines in Beijing. The region is highly developed in multiple counts, developed in terms of buildings and developed in terms of interesting spots to see! In our five journeys out to the Batong Line Molldrew found three spots that are definitely worth experiencing.
Spot 1: Complex near Moon River Club and Resort / Canal Olympic Sports Park
(Access: Tongzhou Beiyuan subway stop and walk or catch a bus 3km east down Xinhua East Road – it’s worth it)
The Complex near the Moon River Club and Resort was discovered by Molldrew by accident on our second urban exploring walk around Beijing. The high-end residential and sporting complex is awkwardly located, and is an example of the over-enthusiastic building that has occurred in places around China. While the considerable sporting facilities surrounding the club are being used, the residential buildings are mostly empty.
The appeal of the complex comes from its large number of half-finished buildings and its unique features.
In early 2010, Molldrew visited the site and found that many buildings at the back of the complex were half-completed. Shells of buildings with windows and lift shafts existed, but there were no interior features apart from the piles of rubble on the ground. Returning one year later, we found the status of the buildings (and the rubble) had not changed.
The unique features of the complex are truly something to behold. The complex has some of the creepiest statues that you will ever see. If we lived there we would be having constant nightmares about these images.
Andrew’s favourite statue contained gun-toting pigs. Andrew believes the caged nature of the gun-toting pigs reflects on how people’s minds rebel after getting too restricted by societal norms. Thanking Molly for her efforts to help him feel comfortable rejecting some societal norms and being himself, Andrew saw this as a fitting place to propose to her on our second journey here in 2011.
In addition to the complex, the Canal Olympic Sports Park is a nice park that is famous for kites. There are many kite sellers around the park showing off their beautiful wares.
Spot 2: Liyuan Markets
Liyuan Subway Station
Located directly opposite Liyuan Subway station, the unique feature about Liyuan Markets is its collection of large women’s shoe sizes at cheap prices. Molldrew have spotted women’s shoes up to size 44. (US size 12-13)
In addition Liyuan markets offers cheap clothing and goods away from the tourist traps of the main city.
Spot 3: Red Sandalwood Museum
500 m west of Gaobeidian Subway stop Open Tuesday – Sunday: 8:30-5pm (stop selling tickets 4:30pm) Admission: RMB50
Continuing Beijing’s proud tradition of building museums about everything, this pricey museum is worth a look due to the high standard of carving shown in the numerous exhibits. Some of the exhibits are huge. You wouldn’t want to make a mistake carving as you were finishing off the piece!
For a breather afterwards, the nearby Xinglong Park is reasonably pretty.
No comments:
Post a Comment