Settling into a Beijing dormitory room for just the one night, it was more like a hotel than a hostel really. Noodles for breakfast, what else? Catch up on emails and news from home before venturing out to get some more cash from an ATM the last time I had tried it ominously said the limit was exceeded and no cash appeared! It was not of course a glitch in the system I hope. Any way a machine was duly found and produced the much-needed cash. Leaving the ATM I kept walking in the general direction of the Forbidden city as I thought, and ended up chatting to a Chinese lad who apparently taught at the university. He invited me to see his studio in one of the old hutongs or side streets. This particular one was over 600 years old. His studio had some beautiful work in it, and if I had the room, I would gladly have bought something. Cases packed for a years travel leave no room for souvenirs, unfortunately. I kept walking but was starting to have doubts as to which direction I was supposed to be going, when I bumped into a lovely American lady called Ruth, also looking for the Forbidden city.Together we tried asking an old man the way ,he was able to point us in the right direction . Discovering the Forbidden city that we had been searching for, there is no way we would have missed it was massive, and with all the crowds going the same way it soon became obvious. After paying the entrance fee we both wandered through, climbing stairs has become second nature since being in china so it was no surprise to either of us the number of staircases to climb. We were treated to magnificent 500 year old buildings, that seemed to go on for ever, courtyard after courtyard and always the huge crowds of locals and tourists. The views contrasting sharply from the modern day skyscrapers to the seventeenth century buildings within the city. We took plenty of photos, it was nice having company for the afternoon to share the “wow” of the place. We both had to have a sit down in the shade and get our breath back, mutually agreeing that we had seen enough to last us a long time! Going our separate ways a little later the end of a most pleasant afternoon enjoying the world heritage site that is the Forbidden City.
What a long day, complete with a blister! Up at six to make a fast getaway from the dorm I spent the night in last night, sleep was minimal because of the comings and goings by the other girls. Tour eventually arrived at 8 am after being told to be ready for 7.30. Full minibus with eight others from the UK, Italy, Manila, and the US so again a mixed bunch. First stop a jade factory, which was interesting in it, but these people, put a lot of emphasis on the selling aspect of everything spending more time than I think is necessary. After the jade, a hurried visit to the Ming tombs where I would have liked to have spent more time as they were rather nice, but because of time spent at the jade factory, we were limited.
Then off to the great wall, driven by the idiot driver who could not keep his hand off the horn regardless of the conditions. I did not consider him a driver suitable for a vanload of tourists. Certainly, they all seem to drive like that here but there have been one or two drivers who have been very professional. The scenery stunning regardless of the drive, the flowering trees, the stonewalls denoting what I’m not sure, but they looked good in the flats of the mountains. The days have been lovely here, with blue skies and the usual smog but not to the same extent, as I have seen. The Chinese mountains have a character all their own, with smog and jagged tops. It was possible to see the wall from some distance so it was quite exciting seeing it come closer. Arriving there was the typical overkill of shops selling to tourists, quite colorful, but impossible to get any decent photos because of the crowds. Mutianyu was supposed to be the least visited……… Took the cable car up, more like a ski lift really, but quite neat to ride in as you did not have any others to rock the boat so to speak!! Interesting watching people come down a luge run, it looked like fun but they had an age restriction on it and I exceeded it considerably. Oh well another day! Loved walking the wall, pestered someone to take a picture of me, up there. Exploring the watchtowers, meant one had to be careful in the nooks and crannies as obviously the needs of nature had overtaken some, Yuk!
After the wall, we had the usual Chinese luncheon; I find I have acquired a taste for eggplant!
A Chinese tea ceremony, but been there done that. The next port of call was at the Olympic physio building where we were all given a foot massage, the first I have ever had, oh the relief. It was the best my feet and legs had felt in a long time. By the time, I made it home to the hostel, it was way past dinner, so treated myself to a restaurant meal; I must say I am starting to get into the habit of that. Meals seem to be between $5-8 so well within budget for the day. I also had the pleasure of the first of the Main Tour room to crash for the night, after a dorm room the night before, 5cm of foam on a hardboard base! It did not make for a good night, even after taking all the bedding off the other bed in the room Tomorrow will definitely be a quiet day:)
After having a very quiet day at the hostel just lying around, watching TV drinking coffee I filled in the day until going to catch the train. Did not really feel like doing much else, as I was a bit under the weather with a cold and sore legs and a bad headache. Taxis make it a lot simpler by being so cheap, when they know where to go! The huge numbers of people waiting at the station area, quite unexpected, with the huge Xian wall as a backdrop fascinating. Got to the station about three hours before departure so did some more people watching, then got roped in by a young Chinese guy studying English to help with his homework!! Made for an interesting hour or so. Then took myself up to the soft sleeper lounge for peace and quiet, downstairs in the ordinary traveler’s area it was wall-to-wall Chinese, some squabbling over the odd spare seat that someone had their parcels on and they wanted it to sit on. Fished out the inevitable noodles for dinner followed by a very sweet dessert, the calories………! The three flights of stairs with no way to get suitcases down seems to be the norm , but this time there were people wanting to be paid for taking the bags down. I made it very clear I was having none of that crap, and then one of them picked the case up and carried it for me! It must be very hard for disabled people here; at least they get to use a western toilet! The train this time was a Z train which is one of the more modern Chinese trains, and it certainly was a heaps better than the Hang Zhou-Xian train, even had a western toilet as well as the squat toilet .The train , leaving at just after 7.30pm meant I didn’t bother with dining on board. I joined a lovely young couple from Canada/Philippines and we spent an enjoyable evening just chatting, finding many interests in common as travelers are wont to do. Awake at just after 6am I was delighted to see the red polluted sun rise, some of the best photography happens just around sunrise, and I was not disappointed. The train arrived inBeijingsoon after 8am to one of the bluest skies I have seen since being in China. A long queue for the taxis wormed its way through the rows unfortunately I struck one that did not have a clue where to go,(I suspected it was an untruth) despite having the address written in Chinese. He eventually made the hostel but only after phone calls to his base while driving at high speed in Chinese traffic. I suspect it cost double the normal charge, ah; such are the joys of travel.
Today after the exhausting trip to the great wall, was designated rest, catching up on washing and repacking the suitcase again in preparation for leaving Beijing on Tuesday on the Transsiberian! Having done all that one of the receptionists suggested the markets as I had broken my watchstrap. Helpfully giving me bus number and Chinese directions asking the driver to drop me there. A girl I was speaking to at the bus stop said she would tell me as well, so had the bases covered.
I did not know what to expect, but it blew me away, total fun even if it did get monotonous listening to a Chinese person every 6 feet saying, “Hullo, excuse me”! Selling stuff is definitely their forte! I got my watchstrap replaced and it actually fits now, where the old one never stayed in one place! The cost a mere $3 NZ , the same strap to replace would be $40 at home. I would of liked to have browsed more than I did but one just didn’t show too much interest before being overwhelmed by sales people.
. Bought some branded leather wool lined warm gloves for the cold places. The price ticket on them from the manufacturer ¥499! I paid ¥140 which in NZ$ 28. I considered them a snip, as very ordinary gloves at the Farmers were over $30 before I left! Getting into the swing of bargaining, I also got an Ipad camera connector kit and another battery charger thing for the camera and Ipad. It allows me to use the Ipad all I want no matter where I am. I hope that I can still charge everything up along the way. Lunch at subway” sub of the day” some sort of bacon I think, but disgusting whatever it was so I left it out and enjoyed the rest. At¥15 around the NZ $3 mark. Got back to the hostel in time for dinner, noodles of course, and then out to see the Chinese acrobatics show. On the way seeing Tiananmen Square, huge place, with people everywhere doing all sorts of things. I have not had the urge to see it close up so what I saw will have to do! Although I have seen, it from several angles as the hostel is very close and the buses I use go past it.
Absolutely amazing show, thoroughly enjoyed it. Lined up to go in after the locals who were bunched in tightly at the front of the queue, they opened the doors and there was this almighty rush with screams from some of the people caught in the middle. A bit like the how the sales used to be, before they became a permanent sale! It seems they do not allocate seats with tickets, so the first in first served rule applied! This surely is a fascinating country. I scored a seat at the very back on the aisle and was mightily pleased! Mostly clear view for using the camera. The performances of the acrobatics wonderful to watch,. The motorbike riders in the enclosed wire ball outstanding. An enjoyable ride through the night lights of the city back to the hostel!
The big day to see the all-important Terracotta warriors, something I had looked forward to seeing for many years. I was part of a group of 22 people ,from Poland,Hungary,Ireland ,Germany,Holland,US ,England,Italy and me. It took about an hour to get there, the roads here are just horrendous, scary! We saw at a guess, an 8 year old child in the middle of the road with cars going in complete disorder. I have to assume he survived, hopefully anyway. I would not have had the guts to cross there or indeed, any of the roads here; even pedestrian crossings are fraught with danger!
In the town of Lanchou after the discovery of the Terracotta warriors in 1974, shows very clearly that they brought money in the area, with underground power/phones etc. Something I had not seen before in China. The tickets are 150 cny, which I thought were rather expensive. after going through the turnstiles and bags through the x-ray machine we did the long walk to Pit2 to start with , not a great deal to see there, then we moved on to Pit 3 which was another dig with some of the terracotta figures. All the pits had huge sheds covering the digs to preserve them from the elements. It was Pit 1 that had us all entranced, fascinated that they could have been done over 3000 years ago. All made in separate pieces, the head went on last, just so it sat the body part, the body in two halves, the legs separately. The horses were magnificent, loved to have a souvenir of one of them but space being at premium as it is makes it impossibility.
After watching a rather useless movie, we saw the old man who had found the site. He was signing books that you had to pay for, of course!
I was not pleased to find out they were charging 1cny for the toilets, especially when they were smelly and disgusting. My disabled toilet hunch is right there seems to be a western toilet in all of them. Still stunk though!
After leaving all the pits behind, we headed for a Chinese restaurant for lunch, which turned out to be a very nice one with tasty food. The eggplant one was my favourite, do not know the name either, one of the Irish girls was very partial to it as well. The surrounding areas were very beautiful with their flowering trees and the landscaping, framed by the mountains.
Took a tumble, usual not watching, there are traps for the unwary everywhere Just a small bruise on my knee, despite falling flat on my face! I appreciated being helped up by the Italian gentleman with whom I had been talking. I think we were the only
Terracotta warriors
two lone travelers on the tour, so spent a bit of time with him. Then it was back to the hostel and the crazy drive. It was wonderful seeing a mass display of kites in one of the parks, being a holiday.
