China Travels

It was so much fun to see Beijing through Matthew’s eyes!  

My last experience of Beijing was  October  2009 as a tourist here, never thinking I would one day live in China.  The twists of fate.....

We stayed in a hotel that is so close to the subway you could just about spit and reach it.  This is a huge bonus (as we REALLY found that out in Hangzhou later, but that is another story!)  The subway in Beijing is great!  2 RMB (40 cents NZ) to anyplace on the subway!  AND it is extensive.  

The bell and drum towers in the Hutongs, Beijing

We visited the bell and drum towers - not far from our hotel in the Hutongs (the old, maze-like area of Beijing).  In the older days in China, these towers were very important.  Originally they were used for music, but later they were used to tell the time - the only way people had to tell time in those days.  The bell went in the morning and the drum in the evening, in certain patterns.  

Seahorses, starfish and wriggling scorpions on
skewers.  You choose - they cook!

Tiannamen Square, looking at the Forbidden City

Matthew and I explored the Hutongs. the Forbidden City and Tianammen Square, which are the main highlights of Beijing.  the night markets are Wangfujing Road proved more than Matthew’s stomach (and mine!!) could handle - wriggling scorpions on skewers, starfish and seahorses! 

Peking Duck restaurant

We went to a restaurant that specializes in Peking duck (like of COURSE you have to have Peking duck in Beijing!!!)  It is well-known and you get your own carver who sorts out the carving of the duck.  We both enjoyed it, and also enjoyed the amazing dessert served with dry ice afterwards!

The National Performing Arts Centre

The Performing Arts Center looks like a space blimp.  We walked around it and could not figure out how to get in - until we did 360 degrees (yes, that is looooong walk) and saw that the entrance and walkway are UNDER the water, and  the clear perspex allows the ripples to glow as you walk under it.  

Entering the Performing Arts Centre

The Temple of Heaven

Matthew then went to the Military Museum, while I went to the Temple of Heaven, which is a World Heritage site.  It was beautiful and the grounds were great, too, full of dancers, karaoke singers and people enjoying the sunshine.  Dinner at a hotpot restaurant was different and  we enjoyed that novel experience.  

Matthew on the Great Wall of China

We went to the Ming Tombs and of course the Great Wall was AWESOME!!!  We were  at Mutianyu and went up by chairlift, enjoyed the quiet scenery (which was Matthew’s specific request) and then luged down to the bottom (a real highlight)!  What I noticed most was the difference in foliage.  I was last there in the autumn and this time, in the spring, there were many blossoms and buds, lashings of color and wonderful smells.  

Next we went to a sculpture / art area of Beijing.  It is fairly new and we both really enjoyed the little shops, cafes and restaurants.  

Although we didn’t go to the Summer Palace, we DID go to the old Summer Palace, which was a  park setting and really interesting.  


And there ends our trip to Beijing.  We really had a great time!!