Articles written by Cheryl Probst
Showing 100 Articles
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More Taxpayers Choose to File Taxes Online
More taxpayers are filing their U.S. tax returns electronically, with the number of e-filers increasing substantially each year, the Internal Revenue Service says.
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Online Classes Teach Basics of Chinese Language
Travelers headed to China who don't speak a word of Mandarin can pick up a few basic phrases (or more) in language courses taught for free on the Internet.
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Los Angeles Shows Offer Free Tickets to Tapings
There's more than Disneyland to see in the Los Angeles area. Visitors who plan ahead can be part of the studio audience when TV shows are being taped.
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Apple Cider Is Fun, Easy to Make at Home
Forget the champagne. Toast the holidays with home-made apple cider or juice. Or freeze it in plastic containers and drink this nutritious beverage year 'round.
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Beijing Medical Clinics Assist Sick Foreigners
Foreigners who encounter medical or dental problems while in Beijing can find help at clinics and hospitals where the staff speaks many languages, including English.
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Travel Health Clinics Offer Immunizations
Health care providers from family doctors to travel clinics can provide immunizations for travelers going abroad, but family doctors may only give routine vaccinations.
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Free Tickets Available for NYC TV Show Tapings
Travelers planning to visit New York City need to plan in advance if they want to join the studio audience for the taping of popular television shows.
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Seattle's Pike Place Market Draws Tourists
The Pike Place Market has been selling farm-fresh produce for more than 100 years in downtown Seattle. Today, it is pulling double-duty as a tourist attraction.
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Six Free Things to Do in Seattle, Washington
Seattle can be an expensive city to visit or it can be easy on the budget, like free. The Emerald City offers visitors many things to do that don't cost a penny.
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Chinese Vegetables Come in Colors of the Rainbow
Chinese cooks have a veritable smorgasbord of vegetables to choose from when preparing meals. Most are available throughout the year due to improved transportation.
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Federal Campgrounds Abound in Washington State
The U.S. government operates hundreds of campgrounds in Washington State. They're located mainly on national forests or near Columbia and Snake River dams.
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Chicken, Apples Combine for Gala Dinner Dish
Gala apples star in this easy dish, teaming up with apple juice, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and chicken to make a meal that is strong in the "wow!" department.
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Simple Things Can Help Save the Rainforest
Every day life-sustaining tropical rainforests are being destroyed in the name of progress. But there are things that people can do to counteract this destruction.
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Wearing Helmets Saves Motorcyclists' Lives
A U.S. government study says the wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders and passengers helps to save lives, and cuts down on the severity of head injuries.
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Foreign Travelers Need Visas to Visit Australia
Foreign visitors to Australia are required to have visas before entering the country. The application is lengthy but qualified travelers can complete it online.
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Chinese Papercuts Make Inexpensive Souvenirs
Chinese papercuts make great souvenirs of travelers' trips to China. Papercuts are colorful, inexpensive, light weight and take up very little room in luggage.
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Trains in China Offer Efficient Transportation
China has a vast railway network which every day moves thousands of travelers from one end of the country to the other, efficiently, quickly and inexpensively.
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Old West Lives on in Toppenish, Washington
Toppenish, a town in central Washington, brings the old West to life through murals on buildings, many with store fronts similar to frontier towns in the late 1800s.
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Goose Ridge Winery Uses Only Its Own Grapes
Goose Ridge Estate Winery can't be seen from Interstate 82 as it passes through the Tri-Cities area of Washington State, but its vineyards are highly visible.
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Tagaris Winery Continues Family Wine Tradition
For hundreds of years, the Tagaris family was involved in grape-growing and wine-making in Greece. The tradition continues at the Tagaris Winery Richland, Washington.
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6 Tips for a Successful Wine Tasting Tour
Wine Yakima Valley, an organization which represents wineries in central Washington, offers six tips to enhance visitors' wine tasting experiences.
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Husband-Wife Team Operate Barnard Griffin Winery
Rob Griffin has been involved in the Washington wine scene since 1977. He and his wife Deborah Barnard have been making wines under their own label since 1983.
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Resources for Self-Publishers
Many authors today are turning to self-publishing for their first choice as a way to get their words out. The process no longer carries the stigma it once did.
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J. Bookwalter Uses Literary Terms to Name Wines
J. Bookwalter Wines took pages from the literary world to name its award-winning wines. Even their wine club is called the Book Club, and its shipments called Editions.
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3 Wineries Located on Richland, WA's Tulip Lane
Tulip Lane in rural Richland, Washington, isn't very long, but it is home to three award-winning Mid-Columbia wineries: Tagaris, Barnard Griffin and Tagaris.
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Beijing Bridge Holds Place in Chinese History
Wanping is now a quiet suburb in southwestern Beijing, but shots fired on the Marco Polo Bridge in July 1937 officially kicked off the start of the Sino-Japanese war.
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Kennewick Demonstration Garden Showcases Plants
Colorful flowers, shrubs, water ways and vegetables adorn the Demonstration Garden which covers three acres of Grange Park's 26 acres in south Kennewick, Washington.
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Tanzhesi Is Beijing Area's Oldest Temple
Tanzhe Temple is located in the Western Hills above Beijing. As one of the oldest temples in the area, this little visited site blends several architectural styles.
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British Sites May Restrict Freelance Photos
Freelance writers who take photos to illustrate their articles need to use caution when shooting in Great Britain. Many sites do not allow photos for commercial purposes.
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China Blends Old, New to Create Fun for Visitors
China is a country that is thousands of years old, yet it is a place that lends itself to having fun while being immersed in such a rich history.
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Pasco, WA, Park Honors Indian Guide Sacajawea
Sacajawea State Park, near Pasco, Washington, honors Sacajawea, Lewis & Clark's guide on their Corps of Discovery journey from St. Louis, Missouri, to the Pacific Ocean.
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Starvation Creek Offers Respite for Travelers
Starvation Creek State Park is a tiny park nestled alongside Interstate 84 between Portland and Hood River. It gives travelers a chance for a quick hike through nature.
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CDC Keeps Travelers Up-to-Date on Health Issues
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention is a veritable treasure when it comes to health. It provides information on a wide spectrum of health issues.
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Black Country Museum Displays Vintage Motorbikes
Motorcycle enthusiasts with a passion for 1920s and 1930s British bikes can indulge themselves at the Black Country Museum, a few miles outside of Birmingham, England.
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Black Country Museum Honors Industrial Past
To visit the Black Country Museum outside of Birmingham, England, is to take a trip back into the past. The living history museum recreates a 1930s coal mining village.
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Triumph Motorcycles Modifies Bikes for Movies
Triumph Motorcycles has triumphed in the movie world in recent years. It has provided motorcycles for several Hollywood hits, including Mission Impossible II and III.
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UK's National Motorcycle Museum Biggest in World
With 850 motorcycles and growing, the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham is England's largest motorcycle museum. The museum also claims to be the world's largest.
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Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain Sail Away
Tall, proud and graceful, the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain sail through Pacific Northwest waters, leaving a bit of history in their wake.
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Birmingham, UK, Teems With Tourist Activities
Travelers who have avoided Birmingham in the past because of its Industrial Revolution reputation should rethink their itinerary. It's now a vibrant, world-class city
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Fresh Produce Stars at Pasco, Washington Farmers
Two mornings a week, the corner of Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street in Pasco, Washington, is a hubbub of activity, with farmers selling freshly picked produce.
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Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Explains Past
A trip to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, OR, is like taking a trip back in time. Dioramas, film strips and exhibits make history come alive.
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Tri-Cities, WA Autos Shine in Summer Car Shows
Summer isn't just for swimming or fishing. In the Tri-Cities area of southeastern Washington, it means car shows. From parks to parking lots, it means lots of car shows.
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Easy Chicken Dish Features Glazed Drumsticks
Cooks who are looking for something easy to make for their families' dinners will find this simple chicken dish elegant enough to serve to dinner guests.
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English Museum Centers on China's Clay Army
A small museum in the southwestern English town of Dorchester centers on China's famous Terracotta Warriors. Life-size replicas of the ancient soldiers are displayed.
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens Blazes with Color
Birmingham Botanical Gardens in England's West Midlands sparkles with color, from greenhouses to the outdoors. A walk through the garden delights the senses.
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Cadbury World Delights Chocoholic Visitors to England
A visit to Cadbury World, just outside Birmingham, England, offers visitors a fascinating look at chocolate as well as to sample the firm's world-famous Dairy Milk bar.
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Maryhill Winery Serves Up Summer Entertainment
Maryhill Winery in Southcentral Washington state is more than just a winery. It's the premier venue for intimate outdoor concerts in the summer in this part of the state.
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Columbia Park in Kennewick, Washington, USA
Columbia Park in Kennewick, Washington, is a treasure trove of recreational opportunities. From athletics to war memorials, the park has something for every interest.
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Town's Main Street Serves as Outdoor Art Gallery
Joseph, Oregon, may be a small town in a remote area, but its Main Street sparkles with awesome world-class sculptures, all done by local artists who donated their labor.
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United Kingdom Museums Show Off Motorcycles
Most tourists go to Great Britain to visit castles and cathedrals. Motorcycle enthusiasts, however, can build a vacation around just visiting motorcycle museums.
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Bargain Hard to Get Fair Prices in Chinese Shops
Small shop owners and street vendors in China see dollar signs when they see foreigners approaching. Foreigners will have to bargain hard to get the best prices.
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There's More to Do in Beijing Than Just Sightsee
Beijing is chock full of activities to keep visitors busy long after the Forbidden City and Great Wall are closed for the day. Narrowing the list down can be difficult.
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Travelers Need to be Prepared for Emergencies
No one expects to get sick or hurt when traveling, but the unexpected can happen. This is why the Center for Disease Control recommends travelers pack a health kit.
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CDC Offers Health Tips for China-Bound Travelers
Most travelers to China won't need to get shots, but the U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends travelers be current on routine immunizations to be on the safe side.
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China Travelers Can Find Help in Message Boards
Internet forums offer travelers to China a way to get the most recent information by posting questions on message boards. Someone, somewhere then posts a response.
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Hutong Cuisine Offers Chinese Cooking Classes
Chinese food is one of the world's top cuisines. Beijing chef Zhou Chun Yi teaches students how to make popular dishes in her home-based cooking school, Hutong Cuisine.
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Beijing Food Stands Serve Up Tasty Morsels
People think the Chinese eat some pretty unusual foods, like snakes, dogs and insects, so travelers who crave the unusual will enjoy eating at Wangfujing Night Market.
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Trees of Mystery Puts Nature on California Map
Trees of Mystery, in California's Redwoods, may look like a hokey tourist trap, but it offers travelers a chance to refresh their senses with a walk through nature.
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Travelers Don't Need to Miss Church in Beijing
Travelers don't have to miss attending church on Sunday just because they're away from home. Beijing has several Catholic and Protestant churches open to foreigners.
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Small Museum Brings Culture to Cowboy Country
Maryhill Museum of Art is a small museum located in rural Washington State but its collections can hold their own with major metropolitan museums in the United States.
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INTA Boosts Amateur Motorcycle Trials Riding
The Inland Northwest Trials Association (INTA) was formed more than 20 years ago to give motorcycle riders a chance to participate in amateur observed trials competition.
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Small Oregon Town Celebrates Hodaka Motorcycles
The eastern Oregon town of Athena, population about 1,300, grows considerably each June as owners of these old motorcycles converge to talk about the good ol' days.
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Oregon Museum Celebrates Desert Flora and Fauna
The High Desert Museum in central Oregon offers fun learning experiences for visitors of all ages. It is an opportunity to learn about life in a different environment.
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Yellow Crane Tower Is Famous Attraction in Wuhan
Wuhan in central China doesn't have many tourist attractions, but it does have the Yellow Crane Tower which is associated with many Chinese poets and legends.
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Yixing Clay Teapots, Cups Are Easy to Care For
Teapots and cups made with special clay found only in China are easy to care for. "Curing" them before the first use is easy, too, though somewhat time-consuming.
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Beijing Tourism Offices Provide Helpful Info
The Beijing Tourism Administration has offices throughout the Beijing area to help tourists with their questions. Most branches have one person who speaks good English.
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Big Buddha Reclines in Beijing's Western Hills
The Sleeping Buddha Temple features a 54-ton statue of Buddha, surrounded by 12 of his disciples, on his way to Nirvana. It is one of the heaviest Buddhas in China.
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China's Money Comes in Variety of Sizes, Colors
China's money is known as renminbi or "people's money." It comes in various sizes and colors, with pictures of Mao Zedong on one side, and scenic highlights on the other.
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U.S. Citizens Must Have Visas to Travel to China
Americans planning to go to China must have visas to enter the country. Travelers need to plan ahead as, unlike some countries, China does not issue visas on arrival.
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Beijing Zoo Showcases Giant Pandas in Two Houses
The Beijing Zoo specializes in animals native to China. Most of these get scant attention as people mainly want to see the giant panda, the symbol of China to the world.
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Drum Tower Was Keeper of the Time in Old Beijing
The Drum Tower was once the official keeper of the time in old Beijing. Time was pounded out at 7 p.m. with 13 beats and then every two hours after that with one beat.
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Five Beijing Museums That Are Worth Visiting
Beijing is peppered with museums, including Drum Tower, Museum of Chinese History, Military Museum, Big Bell Temple and Museum of Natural History. All are worth a visit.
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Chinese Village Doubles as Living History Museum
Cuandixia, an impoverished village near Beijing, is hoping tourism money will shore up its sagging economy. It is turning itself into a living history museum to do this.
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Shanghai Museum Unlocks Door to China's Heritage
The Shanghai Museum is a treasure trove of China's past. It has 120,000 pieces of Chinese antiquities in a collection that is the envy of Chinese museums across China.
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British Trials Champ Sammy Miller Has Own Museum
Sammy Miller went to his first motorcycle race at 16. Soon, he was a competitor himself. Several decades and titles later, he has his own motorcycle museum in England
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Luoyang's Longmen Is Very Famous Grotto in China
Longmen Grottoes in China's Henan Province is a spectacular sight, with more than 100,000 statues of Buddha and his disciples carved into a hillside facing the Yi River.
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Garden Sows Seeds of Delight in Western Beijing
Gardeners visiting Beijing shouldn't miss the chance to visit the Beijing Botanical Garden in the western suburbs. It is a tourist attraction and a research facility.
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London Museum Specializes in Old Motorcycles
The London Motorcycle Museum is located in a quiet suburb of the English capital. But its contents scream motorcycle history, with bikes dating back as early as 1902.
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Chinese Chops Make Memorable Souvenirs of Trip
Chops make wonderful souvenirs for visitors to China. They're inexpensive. They don't take up much room in luggage. They're unique to the owner. They're just plain fun.
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Chinese Museum Shows Off Its Ceramics Collection
Yixing County is known as the pottery capital of China. The China Yixing Ceramics Museum showcases the pottery that's been made in this rural area for thousands of years.
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Yixing Pots from China Make Drinking Tea Special
Zisha is a special clay found only at Yixing, China. Teapots are the most famous item made from this clay which absorbs the flavor of the tea with each pot made.
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Trip to Tongli Offers Fascinating Peek at Past
Tongli is one of the more famous water towns in China. The old town is known as "Little Venice of the Orient" because of the many canals that crisscross the ancient city.
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Tips for Coping with Language Barrier in China
Many travelers opt for tours when visiting China because they're intimidated by the language. However, language obstacles can be lessened by following a few practices.
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Washington Museum Holds Royal Romanian Treasures
Maryhill Museum is a treasure trove of items which once belonged to the royal family of Romania. Queen Marie even traveled here in 1926 for the dedication of the museum.
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Great Wall Is Must-See for Every Beijing Visitor
Walking on the Great Wall is a must for visitors to China. Though the wall is thousands of kilometers long, most people will visit one of the sites near Beijing.
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Forbidden City Is a Top Must-See Site in China
The Forbidden City was once home to China's imperial family and the seat of government. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Middle Kingdom.
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Beijing's Summer Palace Remains a Playground
China's imperial families once called the Summer Palace their private playground. It remains a playground for tourists today who can boat or ice skate on its lake.
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Tian'anmen Square Is Must-See Site in Beijing
Tian'anmen Square is known for a bloody student revolt, but it's much more than that. It is the heartbeat of a city. The Chinese flock there when anything major occurs.
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Four Attractions Visitors to Beijing Must See
Beijing has a list of attractions that visitors simply must see before returning home. They are Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall of China and Summer Palace.
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It's All There at Shanghai Motorcycle Market
Chinese motorcycles and scooters are gaining in popularity around the world. But finding parts for them can be difficult. Travelers to China can buy what they need there.
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There's Something Fishy About Beijing Aquarium
The Beijing Aquarium is the world's largest inland aquarium. Thousands of varieties of fish and sea mammals from around the world swim in its artificial salt water tanks.
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Find Peace at Soong Ching Ling House in Beijing
The home of Soong Ching Ling is an oasis of serenity in a sea of crowded tourist attractions in Beijing. Her home is tucked away in a quiet street along the northeastern
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Beijing Subways Provide Efficient Transportation
The Beijing subway system hauls millions of passengers a day throughout the city. It is a cheap, quick and efficient way to get around for both locals and visitors alike.
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Five Fun and Free Things to Do in Beijing
Beijing is filled with things to do that are fun and free. They start with "collecting" humorour signs. And end with just walking around various neighborhoods.
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Locals, Tourists Flock to Beijing's Beihai Park
Locals and tourists alike flock to Beihai Park to enjoy the scenery and entertainment. Located in central Beijing, it is the Chinese capital's most popular park.
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Washington State Is Home to Another Stonehenge
A replica of the English Stonehenge sits on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River in Washington. It was the first memorial to honor U.S. soldiers killed in World War I.
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Maryhill Museum Features Art by Auguste Rodin
Maryhill Museum of Art is a small museum which packs a wallop in the art world. It is is home to one of the largest collections of Auguste Rodin art in the West.
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Little Naches Offers Year 'Round Outdoor Fun
Off-road vehicle enthusiasts come in all seasons and from all over to ride the trails and roads in the central Cascade Mountains in Washington State.
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Panjiayuan Is Beijing's Most Popular Flea Market
Panjiayuan is the grand-daddy of flea markets in Beijing. As Beijing's oldest, biggest and most popular flea market, it's a haven for souvenir and antique shoppers alike.
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Thousands Visit Great Wall of China at Badaling
As the site closest to Beijing, the Great Wall at Badaling gets thousands of visitors every day. Knowing when to visit makes for a less crowded, more pleasant experience.
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