2015 Year in Review: Our Top Travel Stories from Beijing and Beyond
We did a lot of traveling in 2015 (platinum status – self high-five!). Some of it was enlightening and exciting, and some of it was frustrating and forgettable. Either way, we learned a lot, and we shared as much as possible with you, our readers. Here's a look at 10 of our best and most popular posts from the past year.
1. Leave Early for the Airport and Other Beijing Holiday Tips
This is a bit of a skills review for the experienced traveler, but as holiday travel is always a bit more intense than normal, some of these tips are worth repeating.
2. Flying First Class in China: Is It Worth It?
With a brief trip to Guangzhou, I had a chance to examine one of China’s travel questions: is it worth it to fly first class?
3. US Embassy to Discontinue Adding Pages to Passports at the End of 2015
Embassies of the United States, including the US Embassy in Beijing will discontinue adding pages to American passports as of December 31, 2015, with holders required to apply for new documents after that point, the US Embassy informed the Beijinger by email.
4. Please Place Your Flight Attendant in the Overhead Bin, and Other Post-Holiday Travel News
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Flight 888 from Beijing Capital International Airport to Beijing Nanyuan Airport. Our flying time will be four minutes, 55 seconds. Please place your flight attendant in the overhead compartment. Wait a minute ...
5. Shun Your Friends: Reflections on the Benefits of Traveling Alone
Living in Beijing we have access to some of Asia's best travel destinations but between slim holiday allowances and hard-to-pin-down friends, it's easy to get stuck here in town for long periods of time. And we all know those are the times when the "China days" seem to start really piling up. I'm here to say: get out. Pack a bag and go on a solo vacation.
6. Anything to Declare? Goods to Bring Back from Home
With a week left of our UK holiday, thoughts have turned to that all important question; what will we take back in our suitcases? When we first moved to Beijing, annual trips home would see us hauling back all things baby related. Formula, wipes, diapers, bibs, bottles, plus all sorts of creams and lotions. As the kids have grown, we've moved on from diapers, replacing them with school shoes, books, stationery, and clothes. We've always set one case aside for food items; proper Heinz ketchup, Helman's mayonnaise, spices and herbs, squash, baking ingredients, oatcakes, PG Tips, and breakfast cereals. For me I can't come back without stocking up on make-up, skin care products, haircare products, and medicines.
7. Reunion Island Wing Part Confirmed to Be from MH370 Plane Type, Suitcase Found
The search for more possible debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 has increased on and around Reunion Island, as a three-meter section of aircraft wing has been identified as being from a Boeing 777 – the same type of aircraft as MH370, and the only instance of that model missing over water.
8. Mandarin Oriental Beijing to Open (Finally) in 2016, Adds Wangfujing Location
You gotta hand it to Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Group's public relations team: they managed to announce the long-awaited opening of their property next to the China Central Television (CCTV) building in central Beijing by stating "another" one of their branded hotels would open in the city in 2017.
9. China Home to World's Most Delayed Air Travel
Ever wonder why Chinese air travelers are gaining a reputation for being so cranky? Maybe it’s because China is home to the world’s worst record for on-time takeoffs and landings.
10. The End of Tourist Misbehavior Coverage
Although it's now officially a trend, this is the last time we'll be mentioning misbehavior by travelers from China unless the situation somehow becomes much worse, at which point it will veer into terrorism territory.
More stories by this author here.
Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @greatwriteshark
Weibo: @SinoScuba潜水
Photo: gawkerassets.com
