Archive

What are the best things to do in Beijing? Beijing is one of the most exciting cities on the globe. It’s the capital of the world’s new superpower and, although it’s being heavily-influenced by its transition to a modern world city, it hasn’t let go of heritage or tradition. A great way to get a ...

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven As the years go by, the inevitably of age becomes a fear for many people. It wearies, slows and cripples even the most active souls of yesteryear. Growing old is as timeless as the world from which we must one day pass from. Yet a denial of the undeniable has seen ...

The Great Wall of China For centuries The Great Wall of China has remained silent and never done interviews. It has stonewalled all previous attempts by journalists, so to speak, but has now finally decided to talk. In a world exclusive, The Great Wall of China has told its story to Michael Turtle. I remember ...

There are some weird and wacky things to eat out there in the world. Over the years, I’ve tried scorpion, silkworm and even tarantula. But they were nothing compared to this experience of eating animal penis. The first thing that surprised me was the actual restaurant. I was expecting a strange, small, dark establishment appropriate ...

Best shopping markets in Beijing, China Here’s a little fact for you: China’s economic system is called a ‘socialist market economy’. I’m sure the academics who study global finances know what that means and would love to bore you for hours explaining it. Sadly, I am neither an economics academic nor do I have the ...

Visiting Beijing’s hutongs, China Tell me if this sounds like anywhere you know: a slum, gentrified as the hipsters move in; streets once avoided by decent folk now filled with trendy cafes and bars; and the last remaining residents of the old time resisting the inevitable and refusing to move. Ring any bells? Well, it ...