Blogs from Changping, Beijing, China, Asia - page 5

Today was a great day! We slept till noon, had room service, experienced the steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. We then finished the day with the Beijing Acrobatic show. The show was what you would expect -- excellent. Everyone stayed awake for this one. I am partial to the Peking Opera because it was something I had never seen or ever heard. It was the true China experience, to me that show really brought the whole trip together and really made me realize how far away from Snickers I was. Not to down play the Acrobats, but honestly if you have ever been to Cirque Du Soleil or Ringling Brother's you have experinced this type of entertainment before. There is no place on earth other than China, where you can experience the Peking Opera. If ... read more

History lesson. During the American and Soviet Union cold war, China's relationship with the Soviet Union was also frosty(you like it?). So much so, that Chairmen Mao and his communist party decided to build many underground cities all over China. I was suprised by this considering that both China and the Soviet Union both had communist goverments at that time. Also because China inclosed itelf for many years to the rest of the world. Beijing's underground city alone can hold 300,000 people. If you put all the tunnels in China together, they will strecth for longer than the Great Wall. The entrance was in a small Huntong that was located not far from the Forbidden City. It was difficult to locate as it was only a small door with the english sign written on a small ... read more

A Christmas Day Hike to the Great Wall We went on a Christmas Day Hike, (12/25/06). One hour from Changping to Ma Fang Tai by taxi, a four hour climb up to the Ruins of the Great Wall and down the mountain to Mo Yashi Ke and then a one hour taxi ride back to Changing. It was about 10 of us and we took the non-tourist path. It wasn't so easy but this was my third trip with these guys so I knew what I was in for. My plan was to stay ahead, in front, so I wouldn't get behind. Because there is no stopping when you're on this journey with them. Well, you could stop but who wants to be the one to hold up progress with real mountaineers on a mission, not ... read more