Beijing | Donghuamen Night Food Street.

My friends and I walked to Wangfujing Street from our hotel (a 5-min walk) on our first night in Beijing. Wangfujing is a shopping district in the heart of the city. The street is a combination of commerce, art, and culture. This area is always bustling with people.

We grabbed some McDo dinner that night and talked about our visits to the Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. After dinner, we walked around Wangfujing Street and did a little shopping. We ended up at the northern end of Wangfujing, in a street called Donghuamen where rows upon rows of food stalls stand. Both locals and tourists come here -- the former, to grab their favorite street food; the latter, to try something new.

The only two things I was brave enough to try the first time I visited Donghuamen were noodles and corn. I know. Boring. And both turned out to be blah. I should've tried something mind-blowing scary, like scorpions, so I have some interesting story to tell.

If you love street food and brave enough to try anything (moving scorpions on bbq sticks, for example), then visiting this 100 meter-long food street would be worthwhile.


This place becomes very busy at night.


This, I tried the first time I was here.


Overly enthusiastic seller, it's difficult to say no.


Yes, they do sell interesting items here. Like these (snakes, I was told).
They sell, uhm, sheep testicles, too.


Skewered scorpions and seahorses. The scorpions were still alive.


Pigeons. I don't know why but I do feel sad whenever I see this.


I'm not really sure what these are. But these certainly do not look very appetizing to me.


And then I saw some familiar stuff, except that, I started imagining there were scorpions inside them.

Donghuamen Night Food Street is open from 6pm to 9pm daily.

This is located near the Forbidden City and at the northern end of Wangfujing Street.
You can take the subway or busses 1, 4, 57, 103, 104, 803, 814.

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BUDGET(six days in Beijing):
Hotel: Days Inn Tiananmen Square with breakfast
Tour Guide + Transpo + Lunch
Airfare: Cebu Pacific
Pocket Money

more or less $1,200/person

. . . . .

Our guide Jamie Wang speaks english
and is knowledgeable about China's history and tourist spots.
He was very helpful and nice and honest.
If you plan to visit Beijing and would need a guide,
email him at jamiewglory@hotmail.com

. . . . .

Chinese Visa Application
Tourist/Family Visit Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport.
• Completed Application Form.
• One (1) passport or 2x2 photo glued on the application form. (Do not staple. Stapled photos will not be accepted). Photo must be colored, white background, front view, no hat.
• U.S. Passport-holders must submit two (2) duly-accomplished application forms & two (2) photos
• Invitation letter with your host's valid Chinese residence visa and passport information page or Chinese national identity card.

Additional requirements for first time visa applicants
(Philippine residents, 18 years old and above):

1. Original NBI Clearance valid for travel abroad.
2. Original Bank Certificate with receipt or updated passbook.
3. If a company is sponsoring your trip, provide the company's Bank Certificate, letter of sponsorship,and the company's business registration.
4. If an individual is sponsoring your trip, provide that person's Bank Certificate, letter of sponsorship & invitation, copy of that person's valid residence visa, passport information page or Chinese national identity card.
5. For employed persons, submit Employment Certificate, company ID, SSS ID and contributions, TIN ID, and latest ITR.
6. For students, provide school ID.
7. For business owners, provide business registration of company, TIN ID and latest ITR.
8. Personal appearance is required for those who are 16-21 years old.
9. Emergency contact information at the back of your passport must be filled out and photocopied.
10. Other documents required by visa officers if necessary.

For second-time visa applicants:

Submit filled out application form with 2x2 photo and a valid passport.

Visa Fees:

Philippine Passport
Single Entry: Php1400 | Double Entry: Php2100 | Multiple Entry (6 months): Php2800 |
Multiple Entry (12 months): Php4200

US Passport
Single Entry or Multiple Entry: Php6500

All other foreign passports
Single Entry: Php1700 | Double Entry: Php2550 | Multiple Entry (6 months): Php3400 |
Multiple Entry (12 months): Php5100

Processing Time:

• Four working days.
• You can request a one day processing for an additional Php1700 fee.
• Or a three-day processing for an additional Php1100 fee.

How to Apply:

Bring complete requirements to the Consular Office or you can send a travel agent to act on your behalf.
Your representative must bring an authorization letter and a valid ID.

2nd & 3rd Floor,
The World Center
330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue,
Makati City

Visa Section:
Fax: 632 8482386
Inquiry: 632 8482395 (Weekdays 08:30-10:30 | 14:00-16:00)
Email: chinavisamanila@yahoo.com

Visa Exemptions:

• Holders of Diplomatic or Government/Official passports entering/exiting for a period not exceeding 30 days.
• Passport holders from Singapore, Brunei, and Japan visiting China (sightseeing, business, transit) for up to 15 days.
• Anyone holding a booked seat at an international airline flying directly to China, transiting less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.
• Passport holders from the following countries -- transiting through Pudong Airport or Hongqaio airport provided they have booked seats, confirmed flights to their final destination, valid visas to other countries they are visiting, and only stay in Shanghai for 48 hours -- Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece.
• Passport holders of the following countries joining a tour group to Hainan Province (staying not more than 15 days): Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Germany, Great Britain, France, Austria, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

All information were grabbed from the Chinese Embassy's official WEBSITE. Go visit!

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