Great Wall of China, mediocre tour of wall
Trip Start
Jul 22, 2010
1
5
24
Trip End
Aug 20, 2010
Where I stayed
Beijing, China
Monday, July 26, 2010
Yesterday we went on the tour of the Great Wall of China. We ordered breakfast which came at 7:45, coffee arrived at 7:58 and our tour guide came at 8. It is very impolite to be late, so we briskly finished, had a sip of much needed coffee [we had been up since 1am] and walked down the hutong to the minibus waiting for us on the street. Others were on the bus and we got 2 more. Our nice guide talked about Beijing, history of jade, and that we would all be friends by the end of this day. She explained how the driver has passed a very difficult exam and has been driving for 20 years. We were to be in awe of his abilities and call him Mr lastname [forget it] or call him Master in Chinese [forget what that was too].
We had the unfortnate experience to have a tour that goes to the jade "factory" [a government run store - spectacular jade works, but a total tourist trap]. Very classy jade jewlery and statuettes.
I need to go on more about the Great Wall, and shall, but we need to head out for breaky. The altitude did not diminish the heat. I went ahead of the family as they melted and took shelter in the various watch towers. I went all the way to tower 23, likely only a km, but way out of sight due to the haze.
We got back to the bus and into Beijing at 5pm, only to be brought to a silk "factory" [same story as the jade joint].
We met a very nice family from Holland. Sandra and I went out last night for fruit and bread treats. More later too.
We are off. Breakfast, Drum Tower Youth Hostel, and the lake area of Hau Hai.
Chris
