Whirlwind tour of China

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I'm back in Hong Kong after 4 days in China.

I left early monday by bus to downtown Hong Kong, took a train to the airport flew to Shanghai, took the Mag Lev train (at 431KPH) to Pudong and took a subway to the Bund. Once there I wandered the streets of Shanghai through historic sections, tourist sections and on some back streets that were really amazing. I eventually made it to my hotel. I had a fun night out in Shanghai, the people there are friendly and the night life is great.

I left the next morning for Beijing. I toured Tiananmen square and met some students who took me around to some other parts of the city. I dined on Peking Duck, yummy. The next morning I took a tour to the Great Wall, we stopped at the Ming tombs first (as well as a stop at a jade factory and a chinese medicine center). The wall was GREAT though the day was clody so the views were not as good as they could have been. My tour group was nice and from all over the world. Our guide Lulu was very good (I actually ran into her the next day on the street as I was leaving town, amazing in a city of 13 million)

My final day was spent in the Forbidden City, but my camera had died. Strange symptom, pictures looked fine as they were set up but came out only white when they were taken, the video function worked prefectly??????

I have to get that fixed tomorrow.

Overall, I enjoyed Shanghai more than Beijing, Shanghai was less touristy. In Beijing, everyone wants to sell you something.

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Photos

Mag Lev Train in Shanghai
This train takes you from the airport to a part of town that is not very convenient, but...

Mag Lev Train in Shanghai 2
... it goes 431 KPH, I missed the picture at that exact speed. The whole trip is only 9 minutes but worth every RMB I paid.

Chinese Chess
I found a group of 20 people watching this chess match, this guy was struggling on each move, I watched for 15 minutes and have no idea how the game is played.

Street Barbershop
As I wandered down a small street, away from the touristy areas I came across this barbershop.

Chillin in the Rockery
Most of the chinese gardens I have seen have a rockery like this.

Guarding Mao
Here is a shot of a guard, near the Forbidden City, with Mao looking over him.

Kites over Tiananmen Square
These bird kites were everywhere in the square.

My student friends
Tony and Xu Pine took me all over old Beijing

Countdown to the Olympics
All of Beijing seems ready for 2008!!

Mao Says I'm a Hero
At 888 meters this is a high spot on the Great Wall. This tablet quotes Mao "if you have not reached this point you are not yet a hero" I did therefor I am.

The Wall
I can only imagine the view on a clear day. Visiting the wall was a highlight of Beijing.

Forbidden City
I caught this on my first day in Beijing. It is my only good photo of the Forbidden City, since my camera died the day I visited, it has since been replaced.

Night Food market in Beijing
I ate here my last night in Beijing, It was snowing so I figured the meat was well preserved before cooking, not sure if I would be so eager on a summer night???

View of Pudong from the Bund
There is a nice river walk area in Shanghai called the Bund, the river is constantly full of boats moving very fast.

More Pudong Skyline
All my pictures here were limited by the haze. Pudong is where most US companies have built their China Headquaters, it is filled with cool skyscapers.