Tourists in Beijing...

Places we've visited so far...

The Great Wall - Badaling section

First time we went was in early March. There was still snow up in the mountains and the wind was bitter cold. Tom was not impressed! James and his colleagues did the walk up to the top whilst Tom and I sought refuge in a cafe and had a delicious hot chocolate. Badaling is very tourist oriented with a shops lining the road up to the entrance. The second time Tom and I went up was with my mum in April. Weather was much better and all three managed to walk all the way up to the highest point (at least at Badaling anyway). My mum didn't think it was that tiring but I think some of the other climbers beg to differ! This time we went up via what they call sliding cars which are basically carts which travel on rollercoaster like rails. Tom thought the trip up was scary but the trip down was fun. Was it safe? I was strapped on and Tom's safety belt were my arms - but yes safe as the carts travelled attached to one another (there are 15 carts, 1 per person) travelling at slowish speed.

Tiananmen Square...

Is a large square of concrete slabs and like most touristy places in Beijing, is very crowded. The 'square' is actually part of the main gate through which you enter into the Forbidden City. When we went, there were loads of local tourists and a few groups of foreign tourists. Mao looks down upon us from the gate itself and he, together with the gate, seem to be the most sought after photo background. Our thoughts were on the pro-democrasy events of 1989 which became our main topic of conversation on site. Anyway, didn't stay very long as Wangfujing (main shopping area about 10 mins walk away) was calling and well, there were other places to explore...

Forbidden City

You think once your through Tiananmen Gate (and this is a claustrophobic experience to begin with) you're in the Forbidden City - think again. We walked what seemed to be miles before we reached Wumen Gate which is the proper entrance. Not to bore you with the historical reasons - let's just say it's for the emperor's security. Anyway, once you've bought your tickets and your own audio guides (optional) equipments you enter Wumen Gate through to FC - all 720,000 sq m of it. It is magnificient. Think the colours red and gold, mythical beasts, beautiful carvings everywhere - the details are beautiful. Like I said, it's huge so we only managed a few halls, a look at the emperor's throne (although you can only view from outside of the building's main door, it is still impressive. I only wished they did some dusting - the place looked run down), the nuptial bedroom (think there are 3 beds in the 'room') and we strolled through the imperial garden (where emperors chose their concubines and basically spent most of their leisure time). It was then out of the FC through Shenwumen Gate only to find that we have to walk around the palace moats and miles back to Tiananmen Square. Exhausting but certainly worth another visit.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Feel like having some Chinese satays? What about some scorpions? There are a lot of weird culinary treats here but if you're adventurous and like to try everything then there's loads to fill your appetite. I read about the place in Lonely Planet but my mum and I stumbled upon it by chance - because lots of people were coming out of there with yummy looking finger food. Have yet to take James there.

When you take organised tours they might also take you to The Ming Tombs, The Beijing Jade Museum and The Beijing Institute of Traditional Medicine amongst other places. They are interesting in their own way esp. the Ming Tombs but places like the Jade Museum and the traditional meds centre, well, they just think you're loaded and can't wait to spend a few or hopefully a hundred or so kuai (slang for Renmembi). Few photos taken in these places as I allowed Tom to fiddle so much with the camera it began to not work i.e. left pic taken at the tomb of Emperor Chang Ling at the Ming Tombs.