Dongcheng District in Beijing – My Home For Three Years
Between 2011 and 2014 I lived in Dongcheng District 东城区whilst working at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. So I thought I would post some photos I had taken during the different seasons over those three years and in particular for my dad who, unfortunately never made it to China and would love to see where I lived.
I lived in a fabulous building about a four minute walk from the embassy and every morning I would walk over a lovely stone bridge to get to work; regularly seeing lao Beijingren (elderly Chinese) performing their morning stretching.
I had all different sorts of views from my lounge room windows which included local buildings, a canal and a children’s play area as well as the lovely garden and BBQ area for use by the occupants of the building. As you can see the views were different in summer and winter especially after a snow fall.
The canal was especially pretty to walk along in summer as there was always the local Chinese men fishing and walking their dogs as well as swinging small birds in their bamboo cages.
Dongcheng covers the eastern half of Beijing’s core. It’s about forty km2 and subdivided into seventeen sub-districts which includes all the old city inside the 2nd Ring Road. There are currently six Ring Roads in Beijing with the 6th being an expressway which runs around the city and approximately 220 kilometres long.
(source: http://www.wildgreatwall.com)
Dongcheng includes many cultural attractions including Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven amongst many others. But what I really loved about living in Dongcheng is that one minute you are walking in a concrete jungle and next you are looking at beautiful old buildings, trees and ponds.
There were also the many stray cats I fed over my time and many bicycles parked on the side of the pathway, whilst their owners popped into local restaurants for a quick meal.
And at night the sights are very different to those seen during the day.
And of course if you don’t want to walk or cycle you can always take one of the little silver carts that are available around the district…they are not supposed to go onto the main roads but do or usually take the back streets…always good to set your price before you get in otherwise the drivers usually charge way too much (I know this from experience but did need to get home one night so I guess 50 RMB [around $10 AUD] was worth it).
So, this was where I lived for three years and really loved it in all seasons [although my least favourite season is summer – it’s just too hot]. I much prefer the cooler seasons!
sileas said:
Wow this is so cool! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this post for so long 😉 What a nice neighbourhood to live in… And I really love the different views between the seasons and day/night!
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carentaylor said:
What an absolutely wonderful place to spend three years working, I’m sure your father loves the many pictures showing different seasons and time of day, as much as I have..! 😉 Goodness, I wish I could limber up like the gentleman on the bridge!!
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sim1jr said:
Beautiful photographs Sue. Your love of China, its people, culture and history is so evident. Like your Dad, I wish I’d had the opportunity to visit you during your time there.
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traceymcardle said:
one of my favourite memories is the taxi ride home after dinner and the driver burst into singing opera and we all started singing – best taxi ride ever!
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anneharrison said:
What an amazing experience, and such a beautiful way to walk to work! Your photos are amazing.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
You have made my night Julia with that lovely comment. Thank you so much.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes Caren it’s amazing how flexible the elderly Chinese are. Thank you so much for your comment. I haven’t heard from my dad yet but can’t wait until he takes a look.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Simone. Well I am glad my stories and photos show you a little of the country you know I love. I see you he be changed your photo too. Lovely!!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I think of that so often. How incredible was that. Too gorgeous.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you so very much Anne. Such a lovely compliment.
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feralc4t said:
Nice insight 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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feralc4t said:
Photo 18, thats the one 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you. It was always good to see when the canal froze over.
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feralc4t said:
Nice shot, kudos 🙂
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kokodynia said:
Beautiful photos! The street looks so splendid and vibrant in the nighttime 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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Amy said:
Thank you, Sue for the virtual tour of this grand historic city!
Great photos. 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks as always Amy for checking out my post. Hope you have a lovely weekend. It’s raining here in Canberra.
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Debbie said:
HI Sue – the snow pictures remind me of when I lived in tianjin – deep, frozen, slippery snow for 6 months at a time. one day of spring, then relentless summer. Tianjin.
I stumbled into your blog via the Badfish and Chips Cafe – and love your Chinese name. is Tang a word that sounds vagely like your english surname, or are you just, like me, madly in love with the Tang dynasty?
and Dreaming Jade – beautiful name. Did you make it up yourself or did someone give it to you? I’m intrigued.
Tang ( dynasty) Dream Jade ( rare kind of) – now that is one very cool name. 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
What a lovely comment Debbie. Funnily enough I am glad you checked out my blog because before I read your comment I looked at your ms and its really great and am now following you. My teacher in Australia gave me my name. And thank you for the compliment also. I am very fortunate as am always told what a beautiful name it is. It’s sort of based on my surname but with a link to that dynasty as I adore Chinese history and like you especially the Tang Dynasty. Look forward to reading more of your posts.
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Debbie said:
Thanks for the blog follow Sue – and yes, your name is just lovely. I tried to google what kind of a rare jade was this but nothing cameup.do you know what specifies tht type of jade?? Your teacher must have been very cultured. I really love the name. Most of the time here i spend dreaming I’m back in the Tang dynasty !
My chinese name is 德雅。
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vinneve said:
It was a nice place and I am sure you are missing them. Do you want to come back to work there again? Your cats seems very healthy indeed 🙂 and I love the night life!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hi Vinne. Whilst I don’t want to go back and work I do enjoy visiting every year as China is such a wonderful place. I think many people fed the cats which was great thanks for stopping by as always.
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