Towers and the Zoo
Trip Start
Aug 17, 2010
1
5
42
Trip End
Dec 15, 2010
Where I stayed
Beijing, China
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The drum tower is only about 100m away and has an even steeper lot of stairs to get to the top. Once you're there there are lots of large horizontal drums ranging from about 1.5m diameter to 3.0m in diameter. Apparently many of these were vandalised during the "Eight Power" attack on Beijing during the boxer rebellion - see the film "55 days at Peking". From what I can gather the Boxer Rebellion was during a period when there were many political forces in China calling for a liberalisation and modernisation of the Empire. It was ruthessly suppressed by the Empress Dowager of the time - but I can't claim to know much about it. However the drums have been restored and there is perfornance every hour by a troupe of drummers. Actually really good - I videoed it on my camera but when I was checking it managed to delete it! There must be some videos of it on Youtube but as you can't get Youtube (or Facebook) in China can only assume - worth seeing if there is one however.
I think it cost Y30 to go to both towers.
Well after climbing down the stairs, Laura went off to meet a friend (she's doing a course in China for 12 months) and me and MIchelle headed off to the zoo via a couple of charming lakes. Very pretty and obviously a magnet for Beijingers on a Sunday afternoon, with lots of boating, swimming, fishing and chilling going on. Finally got to the zoo. Important turn LEFT out of metro and the zoo entrance is there - not RIGHT like we did!!! I'm not a great zoo fan, but have to say this one was pretty good and the animals did seem to be in great condition. Saw plenty of the usual camels, elephants etc - Lions were particularly interesting as Mr Lion seemed to be proposing some Sunday Afternoon relaxation but Mrs Lion didn't seem interested. The highlight of course was the giant Pandas - there are several in the zoo. Panda 1 was in a tree and bobbed its head now and again - it could have been a cunning robot! Panda 2 however did walk about a bit and scratched itself so was for def the real thing!
Anyway now exhausted so metro back to hostel - beer, eat, beer! Tomorrow 6.00 am get up for great wall trip!!!
