After a 12-hour flight from San Francisco to Beijing, Eric and I were ready to experience China. Our first experience in Beijing was getting from the airport to our hotel. We planned to take the subway to the middle of Beijing and then either get a cab or walk. To get a subway ticket, we had to first find an explanation in English. By far, the language barrier was the hardest part of our trip. We eventually figured it out and made it to our hotel in the middle of the night. Our hotel was near the Forbidden City in a hutong, which is a small alley way or neighborhoods in Beijing. There are tons of hutongs in the city.
Eric is asleep before we even left SFO
Backpacks ready to go in Beijing, now to the Information booth
After recovering from jet lag, the next morning we were up by 4 am to start the day. Early morning was better for us to get our bearings in this city of 22 million people!
Olympic Rings in a hutong in Beijing
Our breakfast the first morning
It was sort of like a crepe with an omelet inside. Yum!
We went to the Summer Palace in the morning. The Chinese people were exercising in the gardens in groups with swords, balls, and ribbons. (Everywhere we went people were doing some sort of exercise but not necessarily what we would consider exercise here.) The Summer Palace was built in the 18th century as a royalty retreat from the Forbidden City. It is northwest Beijing and is a retreat of temples, lakes, and gardens embellished by Empress Cixi, who was once a concubine.
Eric at Summer Palace
Some of the beautiful architecture at Summer Palace
Eric and the Marble Boat
Our last name written in Chinese calligraphy
Our "dragon" taxi to the other side of the lake
Buddhist Temple onto of Longevity Hill
17-Arch Bridge
Stopping to enjoy the view
Buddhist Temple in the distance
Eric and more beautiful architecture
Theater stage with musical performers
Musical performers
Buddha with a 1,000 arms
On Longevity Hill (yes, we climbed all of the stairs) to admire the Buddhist Temple
Next, we took the subway to the 2008 Olympic games sites. The architecture of the Bird's Nest and the Aquatic Cube were amazing!
Eric and the Bird's Nest
Me and the Cube
The beautiful Bird's Nest architecture
Peace! At McDonald's near the Olympic sites
(the only restaurant around for miles with an English/picture menu)
We took the subway to the Lama Temple, which is the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet. The temple was very beautiful, and many people were there to worship. Interesting fact...there is a Buddha sculpture that is one of the tallest in the world. The sculpture is 26 meters high and was carved from one block of sandalwood. We could barely see his face from where we were standing!
At the Lama Temple
Burning incense for Buddha
Day 2 brought new adventures. For breakfast, we tried street food again. Then, we walked to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
"Donut" breakfast without the sweetness of a donut
Eric had a red bean sesame ball
At the Gate of Heavenly Peace where Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China in 1949
Mao's portrait with signs that say, "Long Live the People's Republic of China" and
"Long Live the Unity of the Peoples of the World." This is also the entrance to the Forbidden City.
Monument to the People's Heroes
Across the busy street from Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square. It is the public place where the June 4, 1989 massacre occurred after a pro-democracy demonstration.
Tiananmen Square is also where our "pseudo-celebrity" status began. Everywhere we went people wanted a picture with us. At first, this was fun, but it got old very fast. Now, we know how celebrities feel.
At Zhongshan Park next to Forbidden City
Inside the Forbidden City just past the first gate, Meridian Gate
The Forbidden City was home to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has been off limits to the public for over 500 years.
Eric in front of the beautiful red doors with 9 gold knobs across and 9 down (a lucky number in China)
The Dragon Throne where the Emperor would rule
Enjoying the views of Beijing
Beautiful wall within Forbidden City
Eric touching "double happiness" Chinese character- It is for good luck for a married couple.
Beautiful lions- They believed that the female lion fed her young with milk through her paw.
Marble dragon on edge of building
The architecture was amazing inside the Forbidden City.
In a courtyard inside Forbidden City
Eric with one of the ancient doors
The Wrights at Forbidden City
With our tour guide at Forbidden City
On our motorized bicycle ride through the city...scary!
At the market on Wangfujing Dajie- starfish and scorpions on a stick!
We opted for the candied grapes. Yum!
Tea time in China
Of course we had to have the traditional Peking Duck
Our duck carved at our table
Off to one of the Wonders of the World...The Great Wall of China...
"He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man."- Mao Zedong
Eric and I took public transportation all the way to Badaling to see this over 2000 year old part of history. It was another beautiful part of China's history. Just this section of the wall is unbelievable. You can see the wall snaking through the mountains and trees. I cannot believe the skill and labor used to create this structure. I can see how there is a legend of being able to see it from outer space!
Starting our trek- It was a very strenuous hike.
Taking a break for a photo-op
Eric and The Great Wall
The Wrights at The Great Wall
The Great Wall is very steep! Yes, we hiked this.
We completed one of the seven wonders of the new world.
This was Eric's 2nd wonder of the world in one year since he hiked to Machu Picchu in September 2009. Way to go!
Chinese calligraphy gift from a Chinese man at The Great Wall
One of my co-workers translated it for me, and it is a poem by Mao about The Great Wall.
I have the English version of the poem as well.
On our last day in Beijing, we decided to take it easy and visit a few parks in the city.
Jingshan Park with incredible views of Forbidden City and Beijing
Temple of Heaven Park- This structure was built for the Emperor to pray to the heavens.
The temple was built without any nails! It is inter-locking wood.
The Round Altar- I could hear my echo.
Hot pot lunch- Somehow Eric was able to order in Chinese with the menu they gave us! I was very proud of him.
All traffic stops for the military to cross the street to lower the Chinese flag
Lowering of the flag in Tiananmen Square
Beijing was an amazing experience! We enjoyed learning about the Chinese culture and their history. Now, off to Xian, China...
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