Beijing trip ( 28th May – 4th June)

The trip started off at Beijing airport itself when we arrived there in the morning at around 8 am plus. Our local tour guide in Beijing led us to the bus where we deposited all of our luggage and boarded the bus to head to Tiananmen square where mao Zedong ‘s coffin was laid in a jade coffin that will preserve his body.We did not get to visit his body though coz there was a long queue.
There after , we left to the forbidden square – where there were 9990 and a half house meant for the servants and of course the concubines. It was tiring at the end of the whole journey as none of us had a good rest the night before. Hence, the tour guide decided to change the schedule and let us rest after lunch!

I forgot to mention that in our group tour there was a family exactly opposite us!They had 2 guys ,really good looking and a pretty daughter plus they are from new york! We also had Uncle Jerry from perth , another family from Sarawak, an Indian couple who are in MIC ( politics in Malaysia) and hehe, me , myself from the kiasu world.

The food was OK only, really OK only and there were lots of commotion about the tour from the 1st day until the last day!

Second day(Monday) – we had to get up at 6 am and after breakfast we headed to the famous imperial garden summer palace where the emperor and the some of the concubines stayed there. There was this LONG CORRIDOR which was nicely decorated and constructed.It was really long ( I forgot how long was it ).However, it was under construction in anticipation of the Beijing Olympic 2008.
After this, we visited the Ming tomb which was SO huge, hence, we are only able to visit a small portion of it.

Great wall of China – the long awaited historical place! We went to this place and tried to climb part of the wall.Since I was still limping, I only managed to conquer part of it! Uncle Jerry brought a bottle of Wine up there to drink and he lent it to me for photography purposes! We had a fun time up there despite the fact that it scorching hot!

We had to head to the jade and crystal factory as according to the local guide it was designated by the local government.Hence, we learnt abit of the antiques tru the visit.

Third day (Tuesday)– again, 6 am had to wake up.Then, we head to the heavenly temple where there is the huge structure where the emperor will visit to pray to the GODs Twice per yr to offer sacrifices! There are 9 stairs where for every 3 stairs the emperor have to pray and on the 9th , he had to kowtow.

After this, we went to the pearl factory before having the privilege to sit the trishaw near the forbidden city ,Hutong valley to take a peek at the local housing. I discovered that there are lots of public toilets outside and the trishaw rider told me that it was because in the household , they do not have loos.Hence, every time when they need to use the loo, they had to queue up outside the public toilet!

We headed to the tea factory where we were labelled as a naughty group! There was this pipi boy who will pee to test the temperature of the water used to make tea. The local gal did not warn us before demonstrating it! Luckily I was sitting on the 2nd row else I would have got the pee from the pipi boy!
We were given 5 different types of tea to taste and I guessed the first tea correctly with the help of my bro!

After this eventful visit, we were treated to an acrobatic show where all the arts and culture show were demonstrated by a group of kids , men and ladies. Of course, it included the swordsman show - wong fei hong!!

Fourth day (Wednesday)– we headed to the rail way station cum fengshui place. There is a art gallery inside where my sis and I were busy guessing each and every painting. After this, we went to the night market where they sell lots of different kinds of delicacies – grasshopper, smelly taufu( finally, I get to try it! ) , jelly fish, cockroach, frogs, etc..

Fifth day ( Thursday) – we visited the big bell museum where there were lots of different generation of bells. There was this BIG bell which will be sounded on every 1st of the lunar day – it can sound the 4 tone – do , mi , so and ti!
There after, we went shopping and for a fulfilling foot massage where this guy treated me like a princess! I love him so much at that moment =)
After this memorable event, we headed to Chengde which was a 5 hours drive from Beijing. We reached at around 10 pm and only had dinner then! But phew, the hotel that we stayed was much better than the one we had in Beijing!

Sixth day (Friday) – after breakfast , we visited the summer palace villa where the emperor will stay for half a yr to escape from the summer season. In the old days, it will usually take around half a month for the emperor to reach this destination.
This place is definitely breathtaking and picturesque with roaming dear around! We sat a boat the other part of the BIG island and a cart that took us all around the place.
There after, we visited the mini potala palace which is a look alike worship place in Tibet. Tibet is only about 4 hours away from Chengde but we did not have the privilege to visit Tibet! It will require a health certification before one is allowed to head up there due to the high altitude.
After visiting the above 2 places, we headed back to Beijing to Shop at the ladies market again!

Seventh day (Saturday) – last day of touring in Beijing! We visited the bomb shelter in Beijing which is connected to everywhere including the new Beijing airport! It was damp in it due the depth – 8 m to 18 m!
There after, we headed to Tianjin city which was around 1 ½ hours away. We shopped at the culture and food street before heading back to Beijing again to do a last minute shopping.
Eight day ( Sunday)- woke up at 4 am to head to the Beijing airport . This was the last day of the whole tour, we had our hugs and kisses before we parted each other. The group of new york family left to another province in china, while the rest headed home!

p.s.no photos as of yet! all back in msia!