Chinese New Year in Beijing

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So after our Bali/Lombok trip, we had about a day to rest and pack for our 5-day trip to Beijing.

I went to Beijing with 5 friends/colleagues. We visited the famous historical sites of course--the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, a Hutong village, the Great Wall. We hired an English-speaking guide at the Forbidden City and because of his connections, we were able to meet one of the nephews of the last emperor of China. He is also a very famous chinese calligrapher. It was a cool experience to meet him. I also saw the Olympic buildings at night. My friend and I went to the Chocolate Dream Park where they had built the Great Wall and Terracotta Soldiers out of chocolate...amongst other things. By someone's recommendation, we found out about an art district called 798. There were some really interesting art pieces and sculptures.

To my surprise, it was quite warm in Beijing. We even had to take off our coats when we were climbing the Great Wall! Also, Beijing was SO quiet (well, other than the incessant fireworks); it seemed like everyone had left the big city to go to their hometowns for New Year's. There weren't many people around and hardly any cars.

The only thing I wish I could have done during this trip...was to eat Peking Duck. None of my friends were willing to try it, so I couldn't order/eat it by myself. 😞

Well, enjoy the pictures...I'm too tired to write a more detailed entry (sorry).

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Photos

Group of Six
L-R: Margaret (Fran's friend from Canada), Nina, Me, Cynthia, Genelle, Fran

tasty snacks?
We walked through a snack street where vendors lined the sidewalk selling an array of "Beijing specialities". Starfish? Fried snake? Roasted silk worms? Centipedes?.....basically anything that crawls or slithers.

what a nice combination
silk worms & strawberries

Great Wall 1
We went to the Mutianyu section of the Wall. We spent about a couple hours climbing. We were lucky to have such beautiful weather. It was an enjoyable climb, although some parts were REALLY steep.

Olympic Buildings 1
I think this is the Olympic Torch tower...It was pretty and kept on changing colours.

Olympic Buildings 2
Bird's Nest
There were lots of people around that night...so it was difficult to get a good shot of the nest.

Olympic Buildings 3
Aquatics Centre...

Fireworks!
Fireworks. Firecrackers. They were going off throughout the day and night. There were piles of cardboard firecracker debris everywhere. Nina and I were inches away from stepping into an exploding firecracker--good thing this man started yelling at us in Chinese cuz it made me stop.

Forbidden City 2
They opened a little museum last year (I think) to display some artwork and items that were used by the imperial family. This picture is of the pots that would have been used for a hot-pot meal.

Interlocked Cypresses
a symbol of "loyal love"

rickshaw ride around Hutong
me and nina. our rickshaw driver was really nice & tried to teach us some Mandarin. He kept on saying (in Mandarin) "apple, banana,..." and something else but I didn't understand.

Chocolate Dream Park 1
chocolate ship

Comments

[Ramon]

Great photo journal as usual. I wish I were there to experience this very Chinese hisotry I once studied in texts only. I don't think you want to come home after all your fantastic voyage overseas. Have fun and live life fully....

[queens]

Happy belated Chinese New Year!!!
Glad you made it back to Shanghai home safely!!! first point... if i went with you to beijing...we would be eating peking duck EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! second point....the funniest picture you have there is the fried bugs displayed next to fresh strawberries..! oh i had my giggles alright! there are so many constrasting points about that makes it funny:P