I am coming to the end of my China journey. Internet has been sketchy at best for the past week or so. I will attempt to get posts updated in the next few days.
Beijing is a feast for every sense: sight, sound and smell (the latter not always good). The city is the jewel of modern China. Everywhere you look there is building going on and shiny skyscrapers to wow you. It is much more modern than I thought it would be and is testament to the tenacity and drive of the Chinese people.
This view is from my hotel at sunset, but you get the idea of how modern the city really is.
After departing the Summer Palace, we went to see the Olympic Village and the local art street.
The olympic village is nice and the Beijing government has done a very good job of repurposing the facilities in the village to benefit the citizens of Beijing.
Inside the stadium, I got a chance to ride a bike with some of the greats!
The art district, called 798, is a vibrant area of the city with galleries and cafes. The galleries are pretty expensive. It’s fun to walk around for an hour or so, but don’t plan on spending the whole day here.
After a restful evening at a nice hotel, we started the next day at the Temple of Heaven, constructed first in the 14th century (rebuilt and restored a few times thereafter). The primary structure is the Hall for Prayer for Good Harvests. We got very lucky as the smog cleared and the skies were blue!
I think my favorite thing about all of these old Asian buildings are the decorations/figurines on the corners.
After the temple of heaven, we visited the Forbidden City. It is so named because only the Emperor and nobles were allowed to even APPROACH it. Inside the walls was a private city, separated from the rabble outside.
In Chinese imperial life, the number 9 was reserved for the Emperor and only the Emperor. So, in the Forbidden City there are 9 mythical animals on the roofs (9 between the other guys).
Our last full day in Beijing we really lucked out. We had blue skies and perfect temperatures. We ran out to the Great Wall first thing to get there before the crowds. The wall, in its earliest version, was built 2000 years ago to protect the new Chinese empire against invaders. Its earliest version was primarily dirt. The wall we see today is only several hundred years old. The portions we visit have been refurbished. It is everything you expect it to be and more. It is truly amazing to think of how long it once stretched.
As you walk along the wall, you can go in to the watchtowers. They have the feeling of medieval castles.
One of the coolest things in Beijing was actually in a park. The Chinese get to retire at 60 but they do not sit around playing bingo. They go to the park and excercise with friends. I was truly impressed by the fitness level of many of the people.
This guy is 70 years old.
And this pretzel man is 72!!!
All I can say is WOW!
Stay tuned for Xian and the warriors.