Beijing is fantastic and developing by the day. Everything is very fast moving in this up and coming capital, it's difficult to keep up. We were there when it was chosen to host the Olympics and witnessed the grass being painted green!

The sights here are so famous that they're hard to take in. Tiananmen Square is colosal and extremely powerful when you imagine the events that passed there. The Forbidden City is breathtaking, though does become rather repetitive. The area surrounding Beihai Park is one of my favourites, with wonderful little hutongs that you can experience from the back of a ricksaw.

Sanlitun is the heart of Beijing's nightlife and I've had many an enjoyable evening out and about, especially when I was able to see 'Jay' (gorgeous chinese pop singer) perform in The Workers Stadium. A Chinese pop concert is definitely an experience. It's a competition as to who can shake their glowstick the hardest whilst sitting in their seats. Our mad western antics of dancing and clapping made it so that more people were watching us than the actual concert!

Tianjin is definitely 'more Chinese' than Beijing and shopping is much cheaper but Beijing is very visitor friendly and bursting with famous sights and tourist attractions. It's the place to be! I have a job there starting in September so start planning your visits now!!