The Forbidden City & The Great Wall
Trip Start
Sep 17, 2009
1
Trip End
Mar 26, 2010
Beijing, Beijing, China
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I am also aware of the human rights issues in the PRC and I fully support the Tibet people reclaiming their Country so it is something that I was mindful of.
All of that being said, Beijing is an amazing city, this year is the the 60th year of the Peoples republic and there are decorations for the celebration next week everywhere. We were sitting having dinner on the first night of the trip and huge fully lit floats started coming down the street.
The first day we headed off to The Olympic City to see the Birds Nest and the Cubed Aquatic center. It was all much smaller than I expected. I guess on TV things look bigger. We got to walk around the area (which are filled with tourists) for a while, but really it wasn't that interesting. I did get handed a small child and was asked to have photos taken with some locals, to which point I started freaking and ran off to join my group which were miles ahead of me. I got told it was because I am blonde haired and blue eyed. First time that has ever happened.
The second day was spent visiting the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. It is really hard to put into words what it is like standing at a high point on the Great Wall of China, even the photos I took do not do it any justice. I really want to go back and spend more time walking the Wall, we only spent a day at one section. Still a fantastic experience. The hike up the section was not easy, the elevation along with the sheer steepness of the wall was challenging. We were very lucky with the visibility and the weather which was pretty much perfect. There are beautiful temples and shrines before you start the climb with ornate status of the Ancient Chinese Gods and the Guardians of the Chinese Zodiac, unfortunately you are requested not to take photos and I am not going to annoy any ancient gods! The Forbidden City was an other place that was mind blowing. It was a shame that the smog was so heavy we were unable to see the entire city. Just when you think you have seen the entire city, you walk through a narrow doorway and another huge courtyard spills out before you. It is quiet an incredible site. It was designed so well, you would have a snow ball chance in hell of escaping it alive if you were up to no good.
The reason for my trip was for work so the fun we had was the payoff for four days of board meetings and a launch party at the UK Consulate. I spent five minuets talking to the UK Ambassador before I even realized who it was. He is a really nice man. Next time I have an event I am not going to wear high heals, I have never been in so much pain by the end of the night.
Each of the nights the team went out for dinner somewhere new. Tim's Texas BBQ was a very popular place for all of the US guys in the team and there were so many Expats dining out there. http://www.timsbarbq.com/
We were lucky that our hotel was so close to the Silk Markets and a friend of mine from work and I spent a lot of time walking around the markets on the last night looking for goodies. Mind you I am never going to buy a knock off hand bag again, mine fell apart 4 weeks after getting back, not worth it. Anyone going to the Silk Markets have been warned, you are going to get ripped off, no matter what. Walk away. I had a better time shopping in Singapore.
I would happily return to Beijing or anywhere in China, the people are friendly and it is quiet a remarkable city.
