Today's tour was actually pretty good, but the guide didn't really say much when we were on route - i was hoping for a little history lesson and tidbits about China. We took an hour just picking people up and another hour dropping people off.
First stop - temple of heaven - neat story about the 28 pillars, but we didn't stay there long.Lots of groups of exercisers doing taichi and little feather hacky sacks.
Second stop - Silk factory - saw the two different kind of silk worms - one with an individual worm used to spin thread and the other with two worms that are strech out one of them to make blankets.
Third stop - Tian anmen Square - not much there except a very large square facing the picture of Chairman Mao. They erected a countdown to the Olympics on the face of the National Museum that is currently undergoing renovation.
Fourth stop - Forbidden City - much of it was undergoing construction. Walked by the Starbucks that infiltrated the City. The sign is down, but the aroma of coffee is unmistakable.
Video of one of the courtyards in the Forbidden City - can you spot the Forbidden Starbucks?
Fifth Stop - Lunch - it was ok, but they served a dish of french fries - that was weird.
Sixth Stop - Pearl shop - they explained that if you rub real pearls together, it produces pearl powder and you only need to buff the pearl to make it shine like new.
Seventh Stop - Summer Palace - took the dragon boat across and saw the marble boat. We didn't get to go into the temples or climb the stairs - instead, we just walked along the infinite corridor which was ok. Nice breeze.
Last stop - instead of going back to the hotel, I had them drop me off at the silk street market (aka counterfeit market.) I didn't get much, but I did get a "silk" table runner and a "Nike" shirt for Ted.
From there, I just walked walked walked for about 3 hours. I went into the friendship store, the walked past the Hyatt and from there down a street where there were a lot of shops and turned left at the end where it was night time and there were lots of food stalls with lanterns. Scorpions and Centipedes. Yum. Don't worry, I didn't have any.
For dinner, I had 8RMB noodles at the food court and a 16RMB watery orange julius - highly disappointing. Passed up starbucks more than once here which is selling more than at home!
Overall a satisfying first trip to China.
3 comments:
First trip? You mean there will be more? :P
Looks like you got to see quite a lot. Now an analysis of whether it was as you expected or how it differed. ;)
China was actually cleaner than I expected - locals say that I went on a good week. It was also less crowded than I expected. People were telling me I would be walking shoulder to shoulder with people down the street which wasn't the case.
It would be interesting to be there for the Olympics - so who knows if there will be another trip!
I have been Beijing twice, I think that it is agreat city because there is so modern and safe,I love the photos in the blog.
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