Geo: 31.1979, 121.479We didn't update the blog yesterday as our journey from Xian was not exactly exciting. Modern airports, modern plane, plenty of leg room, food, baggage ready when you arrive at the baggage reclaim conveyer belt, exactly how flying should be and a million miles from Ryan Air.Today we did the touristy things in Shanghai, the waterfront, up a big skyscraper (with a pensioner discount, £10 instead of £15 each!) and watching the beautiful people parading through the shopping area in the sunshine. We cannot get over how well dressed and individualistic the 15-40 year olds are. You never see the same outfit twice, a group of four girls will have completely different outfits on. None seem to be copying a particular fashion, they are all creating their own. Some styles work some don't but ... read more

Geo: 34.2767, 108.964A good indication of the enjoyment of a day is the number of photographs taken, today we took 270 which will overjoy our children as they will be shown everyone on our return!The day started in a Taoist Temple on the outskirts of the city. It was the religion of the Chinese 2000 years ago and is still practiced today. The ancient medicines and writing was all created by Taoist "wise men". The followers don't cut their hair but keep in in a bun on the top of their heads which can be seen on all the Terracotta Warrior statutes. All the other religions practised in China were introduced by travellers along the Silk Road. The temple, or at least it's rites, were interesting. Unfortunately the original building was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution ... read more

Geo: 34.2767, 108.964The day started well enough, we finally convinced the waitress in the hotel that chopsticks are not the best implement with which to spread butter and jam on toast and that a knife was a better option. We headed off to Tiananman Square to visit the Forbidden City, it took an hour and a half to get through the security, the queue was so long at one stage the locals became restless and charged the security gate. Two policeman, one with a loud hailer the other with a cattle prod managed to restore order but it was touch and go. Normally the area is swarming with police, it seems it is the same the world over, there are never enough policemen when you need them.We eventually got into the Forbidden City after yet another ... read more

Geo: 39.9224, 116.397Yesterday's blog was a bit rushed, sorry about that but we were both a very tired. All this excitement is a bit much for us elderly folk.Just to rub in our old age, twice now we have been offered seats in the metro from people who look older than us (in my opinion anyway). Beijing is a great deal warmer than we expected, definitely tee shirt weather although to avoid too much hassle at the security scanners I have been wearing an anorak so I can carry water, camera lens, guidebook etc without the need for a rucksack. I then get a bit hot and grumpier than normal.The authorities are paranoid about bombs, at least I assume that is what they are scanning for (see * below) You are scanned as you enter the ... read more

Geo: 39.9224, 116.397Whether it is the Great Firewall of China or the hotel connection it seems loading pictures onto our blog is more difficult in China than it was in Mongolia!As advertised on the previous entry we got a few pictures of the bogie changing process at the Mongolia / China border which I have attached for your edification and delight as a separate entry.At the Belarus border there was evidence of scrappy pieces of wood to pad out the jacks, nothing of the sort here however the threads on the jacks looked awful, I would not have got under the train with it held up with them.... read more