四月底，正值春暧花开的季节，我们全家去北京旅行，下踏亲戚位于中关村的民宿。春季的北京仍是非常干燥的，注意备些滋润补水霜。
第一站我们便去了俊美秀气的颐和园，那里千变万化的长廊绘画艺术作品和灵气的山水交融，仿佛时空倒流。
接着我们来到了香山植物园，一丛丛，一簇簇鲜艳欲滴的桃花绽放着如孩童般的笑颜，园里的人告诉我们，如果早几个礼拜，还可以观赏到灿烂夺目的樱花。
平日为营生忙忙禄禄的新加坡人当然不能错过北京著名的长城，去领略其张显的霸气，可参加一日游，还有雄伟的故宫，里面正有些精美的文物展览。
另外，可以带孩子去天文博物馆，观赏天体的形成，宇宙的演变。附近的动物园也是孩子最喜欢的去处。
值得一提的是位于北京前门的百年老店:北京同仁堂总部，是爱好中华医学的朋友不可错过的地方，古色古香的内外装璜，内有名医坐堂，还可当场看病抓药。
This topic is much of a cliche, at least for native residents coming from these two places.
From the official point of view, Beijing and Shanghai are always prioritized as the first and second city of the oldest continuous civilization in the world.
But the comparison between residents, as well as all other aspects about the two cities, has constantly brought into hot debate, on the internet, in the press, or by word-of-mouth.
While the rest of the world think fairly high of both cities, Beijingnese and Shanghainese look down upon each other fiercely, as they do with other ethnic Chinese, the latter attitude being actually understandable, since they simply stand out, as the elite groups of richer, better-educated, more open-minded people.
As far I can tell, the special feeling of superiority towards specifically the other group of folks can be generalized as follows: Beijingnese are disgusted with Shanghainese's overdone snobbery, shrewdness and standoffishness, while Shanghainese hates Beijingnese's forever brag and boast and boorishness.
I surely don't think any of this would be totally it or would do any justice to either side. And I'm not gonna buy any of the arbitrary conclusion that either Beijing or Shanghai is a better place.
But have I mentioned a customary saying I overheard the other day? The whole sentence can be loosely translated into: Beijing is China's Beijing, Shanghai is the World's Shanghai.
This makes much sense to foreigner visitors, for whom it's simply a matter of choice. If you wanna take in some insight into the profound ancient Chinese culture, Beijing is the place to be. If you wanna conquer the culture shocks with ease, invest on Shanghai.
