Hutongs of Beijing

Advantages: Beautiful buildings and a look at life for many ordinary citizens of Beijing
Disadvantages: Can be busy and cramped

...A hutong is an ancient alleyway or lane found in Beijing which can date back as far as the Yuan dynasty of China in the 13th century. The crisscrossing alleys can now offer a glimpse of another part of this ancient city that is quite different to the major attractions such as the Summer Palace or the Forbidden City. The tiny, twisted and interconnected lanes wind through whole areas of the city of Beijing. The lanes are lined with traditional stone houses all arranged in quadrangles, so four houses around a courtyard, which are beautiful old fashioned buildings. They often involve carved pillars, window frames and doors and the open spaces of the courtyard lets in air and light to otherwise quite cramped areas-some of the lanes really are tiny with less than a metre of breadth. Most of the hutongs are still used as housing and are...

flyingllamas 07.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Hutongs, Beijing

All The Fun Of The .... Zoo!

Advantages: Fantastic zoo, lots of animals, fascinating talks, animals seem very well cared for.
Disadvantages: Play areas and Dinasaur safari were dissapointing.

...For the last two years my daughter and I have enjoyed a few days in Blackpool, and on both trips our favourite of all the attractions was the zoo, in fact it was only 3 days since our recent visit and my daughter is still talking about it. Situated just a couple of miles from The Golden Mile Promenade I believe it is easily accessible and sign posted for cars from the M6, and has a large car park. However as I don't drive and we were staying in Blackpool, we took the open top sightseeing bus from the tower, which stops at all the big attractions and the nearby Haven and Pontins holiday parks, and takes you right up to the Zoo entrance. Set in 32 acres of parkland and lakes, Blackpool zoo isn't huge, but I definitely think it is one of the best zoo's I have ever been too. It is home to 1500 animals from 400 different species...

Rhiana 28.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Blackpool Zoo

A Beijing Bolthole

Advantages: Cheap, with helpful staff
Disadvantages: pricy food (compared to outside of hostel),

...I am back again, writing from the East! I write this while still at the hostel, while I wait for a train to Shanghai this evening. We checked out before 12 so effectively my experience of the place is complete. They are storing our bags and allowing us to use the communal facilities as we wait. We booked our holiday to China in November, planning to go to Chengdu to visit a school friend of mine. She told us she would scope out the local hostels for us and that there was a chance we could stay in her friends flat instead. Then the earthquake hit Sichuan, and our holiday looked like it was going to be cancelled. We decided to change our destination to Beijing instead, and my friend came to join us. She recommended the hostel that she had stayed in on her last visit and it looked nice enough online, so she booked it for us a couple...

fabulous_girl 07.06.2008 · Read review
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Review of Red Lantern House, Beijing

Taronga Zoo

Advantages: Read Opp
Disadvantages: None

...This review is on my visit to Taronga City Zoo, which is located in Sydney Australia. I had heard some great reviews about the Zoo, and was told if your ever going to Sydney its one of the best places to visits in terms of finding out about the local wildlife which is indigenous to that part of the World. I was truly amazed, I have been to a lot of Zoo?s around the world, however I found the zoo, more exotic and exciting to visits and this however could be because it was set in a beautiful country, which was experiencing a 40 degree heat wave. Info The zoo was officially opened in 1916, with over 50 acres of free space which is home to some 2,600 animals. How to Get There: There are several ways to get to the zoo; these include taking modes of transport such as the bus, a ferry, a train and a local bus operator which offers a return...

jaygami1986 02.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Taronga Zoo, Sydney

A seek Peking to Beijing life

Advantages: world class attractions, Friendly people, amazing food
Disadvantages: n/a

...I arrived into Beijing by train from Mongolia via the trans Siberian express, sadly we arrived just after the Olympics had finished last summer, but the weekend we arrived was a national holiday ? therefore there was lots going on. The train station we arrived was located in the middle of the city and was swarmed with thousands of people at the exit for international arrivals similar to that of a major airport and gave our first impression of the city. However this crowded mad city impression was forgotten after we arrived at our hotel near the lama temple was soon forgotten as the hotel was very nice and this was budget accommodation, but we had one of the best rooms we had around on our trip around the world. One thing that struck me instantly was that the smog that seems to plague the city was not as bad as I thought it would be, but...

mtpatton 17.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of General: Beijing

The Zoo!

Advantages: Lots to see
Disadvantages: Not so good in the rain

...I have just enjoyed a lovely day at Paignton Zoo! I suppose it is primarily a kid's place, but in my opinion it's a great place for people of all ages to visit, and there are far worse ways to spend the day than at the zoo! I don't know if any of you watched a series called Zoo Keepers, on a few years ago? Well, it was filmed at Paignton Zoo, so some of you may recognise it. LOCATION AND PRICE Paignton Zoo is located in Paignton, South Devon. For directions you can see their website. Prices are as follows: Adult: £11.35 Child (3-15): £7.60 Student/Senior Citizen: £9.35 Family (2 adults+2 children): £34.10 These prices all include a contribution to the zoo's newest project, Crocodile Swamp. I don't know when this will be open, but it sound interesting, crocodiles are about the only thing they don't currently have! The zoo is...

ajaybie 02.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Paignton Zoo

Chester Zoo

Advantages: A great day out for all the Family
Disadvantages: none,(apart from the weather)

...* GETTING THERE?. By road?.. The zoo is easily found in Chester. Along the M56 to Junction 14, (or M53 junction 12) and simply follow the brown zoo signs. The route via the A41 is also clearly signposted. By other means? Chester Railway station is only 2 miles away and the public transport from there is good with most bus routes running every half hour during the season. Please check with local operators. * OPENING TIMES? 7 days per week 10:00-18:00 (including Bank holidays) Peak Season 2008 15/03/2008 - 02/11/2008 Off Peak Season 2008/09 03/11/2008 - 03/04/2009 * PRICES? Adult: £11.95- £14.95 Child: £8.95 - 10.95 Concessions: £9.95 - £13.95 Family (2+2): £38.00 to £49.50 (Prices vary due to season and voluntary donation) *THE ZOO? * BRIEF HISTORY? Opened in 1931 by The Mottershead family...

blissman70 17.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo

Advantages: Great day out
Disadvantages: None

...This past weekend I also had the opportunity to go to Chester Zoo and what a great day out we had. I haven't been to the zoo in years but my best friend moved up here a few years a ago and has a season ticket so she suggested going and I though it was a great idea. Funnily enough Chester zoo is located in Chester in the north west of England. Chester is not a very big place and the zoo is located fairly near the centre of town so it is very easy to find and very well sign posted. The zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and is the biggest zoo in the UK. According to their brochure hand out that you receive with your tickets, the park covers 110 acres of gardens, has 7,000 animals and over 400 different species. When we arrived at the zoo it was nice to find that they had free parking. We went on a Sunday and it was quite...

Spottydog11 03.06.2008 · Read review
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Review of Chester Zoo

A family day at the zoo

Advantages: Lots to do and see
Disadvantages: Quite expensive

...On a recent visit to Blackpool we visited the Blackpool zoo for the first time, although we have been to Blackpool twice before in the past few years we didn't go to the zoo during these visits, we read about the zoo on the internet and a few friends had told us it was really good. WERE IS THE ZOO? Unfornately we went to Blackpool for the illuminations and the weather wasn't great , however we had a few cloudy days and we still went to the zoo and had a great day, the zoo opens at 10am and there is a bus running from Blackpool promenade (outside the Tower) that takes you right to the zoo, which is situated in Stanley park, we didn't realise that the bus stop was outside the Tower so we got a black taxi to the zoo which cost us around £8.00. We arrived at the zoo a little after 10am, and after getting out of the taxi we...

jenny967 21.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Blackpool Zoo

Twycross Zoo

Advantages: Ensuring the survival of endangered species
Disadvantages: Enclosures just not big enough

...A few days ago a visited Twycross Zoo with my children, It had been a good few years since I have been there, I think the last time I visited was when I was a school. Upon arriving, you are directed to a parking place this is on grass, parking is free, then you make your way to the kiosks to pay for your entry. Admissions fees are: Adults £9.00 Children £5.00 Senior Citizen £6.50 Family Ticket £27.00 (this consists of 2 adults and 2 children) Large parties also get discounts. There was quite a big queue when we arrived which was about 10.30am. ~ Facts about the Zoo ~ Situated in the midlands not far from Leicester, it is a conservation centre and has been going now for just over 40 years It homes thousands of animals most of which are primate, and many of these are extremely rare now in the wild. They work along...

Maxlarndison 01.09.2007 · Read review
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Review of Twycross Zoo