6:00 wake-up call (up at 5:00 anyway).
Luggage out at 7:00, Check out of hotel.
Breakfast at Hotel Lobby Restaurant – raisin bran and fruit.
8:00 AM on bus, unbelievable traffic.
8:45 AM Beijing Zoo to see the Pandas. Restroom 1 western handicap toilet, many squat toilets – 2 ** ?
9:15 – 9:23 – on bus to Summer Palace 頤和園
Olivia “in rural areas people eat dog in winter, believe it will make you warm and healthy. Not in Beijing – they are pets.”
11:15 back on bus to Mongolian BBQ – 11:45 – 12:40
Scallion pancake, grass fish – in a sweet sauce – didn’t taste like fish – very tasty, spicy chicken. Restroom – ¼ western, approximately 10 and TP – 4 ****
On the bus Ming collected our gratuity money - $49 each for the entire trip, excluding Hong Kong and the boat.
Ming: “Northerners are ‘noodles’ – show more feeling, southerners are ‘rice’ –no feelings, shorter men?”
2:00 at Beijing airport. Ming handled our luggage, tickets and passports for group check-in.
4:10 take-off, 3:35 scheduled
5:45 landing (restroom in Xian airport 2 **: 3 western, 1 broken). Pouring rain at the airport.
6:16 PM on bus – 32 person air conditioned coach for the 13 of us, plus Ming and Bo Bo our local guide.
1 hour to Xian city. Bo Bo: “Square cities are only for royalty. Both Beijing and Xian are both squares, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd rings.
7:00 – 8:00 PM Hot Pot Dinner. National Chain restaurant. Fondue type dinner with sesame, chili and soy/fish sauces. Noodles, many greens, lamb and beef. Phil loved this.
To Goldstone Xian Hotel. Hotel had all the amenities in our room such as shamppo, conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste (however we refused to use Chinese toothpaste!), shaving cream and razor, robes, sllippers, water, tea coffee. Our room had a king size bed. Like other beds in China they tend to be much firmer than we are used to.
Put some laundry out: 3 tops and 3 pants - $13.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Beijing Tuesday July 3
6:00 AM wake up call arranged by Ming, our national tour guide.
7:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Yummy scallion crepes, pork dumplings, omelet.
7:40 lobby meeting to leave.
On the bus there was an interesting but censored lecture as there was yesterday. Today we were given information about Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Chinese emperor, and how he united China, including the use of common currency, the work on the Great Wall, and building of his own mausoleum. There was no discussion of his cruelty and his suppression of knowledge including his burning of previous books, and banning scholarly discussions of the past. He readily killed or banished those who opposed him or his ideas.
Yesterday there was no discussion of the Tiananmen Square incident. “The topic is still a political taboo in mainland China, where any public discussion of it is regarded as inappropriate.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989
Also much discussion of Feng shui.
9:00 AM Jade factory tour.
Restroom 5 *****, even had TP.
This, of course, is a government shop. There were many tour buses lined up outside. The cost for an A grade Jade bangle was approximately $800 – $900 US. My Fodor’s, © 2007, that came in right before we left says “a green jade bangle about Y280 before bargaining” (p 279). Now considering a 7.5 exchange rate, and a 40% bargaining rate that jade bangle should cost about $43.00. We were told that even the Chinese only buy valuables in government approved shops, but I sincerely doubt that the locals are buying in these government factories.
Addendum: I got the same - slide the bangle on with a plastic bag over your hand, keep it fresh with water in the case, and “see how it cuts glass?” along with a “certificate” and business card for $40.00 US in Shanghai.
10:15 AM left Jade Factory for Great Wall長城
We went to Badaling Great Wall which of course is the most heavily touristy area. Photos / info. When we entered we were told by Olivia that the steepest part was to the right, and therefore more heavily traveled since it is an honor to reach the top by Chinese people. We, along with the girls, moved along to climb the easier path to the left. It was only on our way down that we found out that we had in fact climbed the steeper part! We got some pictures but the haze and smog made it difficult to see very far.
On our way back down we were again accosted by the myriad of vendors along both sides of the street. In fact there were vendors even at the flatter points on the Great Wall itself. We were glad we had the experience, but would probably find a more serene area to climb if we were ever to return. Our meeting place was in a tea shop that also had jade, tee shirts and other tchotchke for sale. There was however a 5 ***** restroom.
Also along the street was one of the only Official Olympic Shops that we came across. Unfortunately we didn’t know this until after we got on the bus.
Also, one family and 2 of the other tour members found a type of roller coaster ride down. They found some good bargains at the bottom, but had to take a taxi back to our meeting point.
25 minute bus ride to the “Friendship Restaurant” which was upstairs in the Friendship Cloisonné factory. This was a fairly winding road down the mountain from the Wall. The tour itself was interesting and short – about 15 minutes. A small 8” vase will run about $100. The vendors here are not as pushy, but they still will tend to follow you around.
Lunch was very good: dumplings, spicy eggplant, garlic shoots, rice, chicken fried tenders, beef, pork. They also served us some type of 56% alcohol wine – YUCK!
The restroom here was very clean, western style with TP.
3:00 to bus. 1 ½ hour bus ride on a very modern highway to our “optional” Kung Fu show (280 Y). The show was OK, yet others seemed to really like it. There was only a 1 – 2 ** restroom, with squat toilets only.
http://www.etours.cn/china_nightlife/shownews.jsp?news_id=241
"The Legend of Kung Fu focuses on a young boy found wondering outside an ancient temple somewhere in China. He dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master. But things don’t go smoothly according to his plan. The young monk is called Chun Yi (the pure one) has to overcome many difficulties and temptations before he conquers and finally gets his sacred goal of enlightenment. Many places of the show are presented like a dream in appearance. In the show you can find the flying fairy created in Chun Yi's mind and brimstone of the blacksmiths workshop, where the tools and armor are made. The ceiling of the theatre lights up like the night sky with twinkling stars. The main innovation in this show is the blend of the different parts of performance art. The modern dancers have mixed elements of Kung Fu into their performance and the Kung Fu performers have adopted some of the modern dance actions. The management and production team have been looking for the best performers all over China. You can find their hard work on the stage. The average age of the performers is only 17 years, but their performance tells that they are excellent!"
7:00 PM to Peking Duck Dinner at Pian Yi Fang in Beijing. Very good, also enjoyed spicy eggplant dish, garlic shoots again. The duck soup brought after the meal was a sort of bland broth.
7:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Yummy scallion crepes, pork dumplings, omelet.
7:40 lobby meeting to leave.
On the bus there was an interesting but censored lecture as there was yesterday. Today we were given information about Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Chinese emperor, and how he united China, including the use of common currency, the work on the Great Wall, and building of his own mausoleum. There was no discussion of his cruelty and his suppression of knowledge including his burning of previous books, and banning scholarly discussions of the past. He readily killed or banished those who opposed him or his ideas.
Yesterday there was no discussion of the Tiananmen Square incident. “The topic is still a political taboo in mainland China, where any public discussion of it is regarded as inappropriate.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989
Also much discussion of Feng shui.
9:00 AM Jade factory tour.
Restroom 5 *****, even had TP.
This, of course, is a government shop. There were many tour buses lined up outside. The cost for an A grade Jade bangle was approximately $800 – $900 US. My Fodor’s, © 2007, that came in right before we left says “a green jade bangle about Y280 before bargaining” (p 279). Now considering a 7.5 exchange rate, and a 40% bargaining rate that jade bangle should cost about $43.00. We were told that even the Chinese only buy valuables in government approved shops, but I sincerely doubt that the locals are buying in these government factories.
Addendum: I got the same - slide the bangle on with a plastic bag over your hand, keep it fresh with water in the case, and “see how it cuts glass?” along with a “certificate” and business card for $40.00 US in Shanghai.
10:15 AM left Jade Factory for Great Wall長城
We went to Badaling Great Wall which of course is the most heavily touristy area. Photos / info. When we entered we were told by Olivia that the steepest part was to the right, and therefore more heavily traveled since it is an honor to reach the top by Chinese people. We, along with the girls, moved along to climb the easier path to the left. It was only on our way down that we found out that we had in fact climbed the steeper part! We got some pictures but the haze and smog made it difficult to see very far.
On our way back down we were again accosted by the myriad of vendors along both sides of the street. In fact there were vendors even at the flatter points on the Great Wall itself. We were glad we had the experience, but would probably find a more serene area to climb if we were ever to return. Our meeting place was in a tea shop that also had jade, tee shirts and other tchotchke for sale. There was however a 5 ***** restroom.
Also along the street was one of the only Official Olympic Shops that we came across. Unfortunately we didn’t know this until after we got on the bus.
Also, one family and 2 of the other tour members found a type of roller coaster ride down. They found some good bargains at the bottom, but had to take a taxi back to our meeting point.
25 minute bus ride to the “Friendship Restaurant” which was upstairs in the Friendship Cloisonné factory. This was a fairly winding road down the mountain from the Wall. The tour itself was interesting and short – about 15 minutes. A small 8” vase will run about $100. The vendors here are not as pushy, but they still will tend to follow you around.
Lunch was very good: dumplings, spicy eggplant, garlic shoots, rice, chicken fried tenders, beef, pork. They also served us some type of 56% alcohol wine – YUCK!
The restroom here was very clean, western style with TP.
3:00 to bus. 1 ½ hour bus ride on a very modern highway to our “optional” Kung Fu show (280 Y). The show was OK, yet others seemed to really like it. There was only a 1 – 2 ** restroom, with squat toilets only.
http://www.etours.cn/china_nightlife/shownews.jsp?news_id=241
"The Legend of Kung Fu focuses on a young boy found wondering outside an ancient temple somewhere in China. He dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master. But things don’t go smoothly according to his plan. The young monk is called Chun Yi (the pure one) has to overcome many difficulties and temptations before he conquers and finally gets his sacred goal of enlightenment. Many places of the show are presented like a dream in appearance. In the show you can find the flying fairy created in Chun Yi's mind and brimstone of the blacksmiths workshop, where the tools and armor are made. The ceiling of the theatre lights up like the night sky with twinkling stars. The main innovation in this show is the blend of the different parts of performance art. The modern dancers have mixed elements of Kung Fu into their performance and the Kung Fu performers have adopted some of the modern dance actions. The management and production team have been looking for the best performers all over China. You can find their hard work on the stage. The average age of the performers is only 17 years, but their performance tells that they are excellent!"
7:00 PM to Peking Duck Dinner at Pian Yi Fang in Beijing. Very good, also enjoyed spicy eggplant dish, garlic shoots again. The duck soup brought after the meal was a sort of bland broth.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Beijing - Monday July 2
6:30 wake-up call – arranged by our tour guide, except we were already up before 5:00 AM.
Breakfast buffet in the lobby restaurant of our hotel. A mix of Eastern and Western foods.
8:oo AM bus departure to Tiananmen Square. This was our first dealing with the myriad of hawkers that we found all over China. Quite persistent they are! We did have a group picture taken, and did purchase the souvenir book - 100 Yuan. Exchange was approximately 7.5 yuan = $1.
Walked to the Forbidden City.
In China some of the public restrooms are rated on a 1 to 5 *****. Right inside the South entrance, to the left was the first of the public restrooms we encountered. It had 5 ***** above the entrance. There were 2 western stalls and a handicap toilet that was western. All the others were Asian squat type toilets. Be sure to bring your own toilet paper and seat liners if you choose. Hand sanitizer wipes are another necessity.
12:00 PM on the bus to Hutong Area 衚衕
We had an itinerary switch and went to the Hutong area today instead of Wednesday. Here we boarded bicycle rickshaws to tour the narrow alleys.
The restroom at the Bell Drum Tower – 3 *** - only squat toilets.
We were driven to a “local” lunch – a meal served at the home of a local family. Many dishes were served, including dumplings. The food was basically good, if a little bland.
Back by rickshaw to a performance at the Drum Tower. We opted to not climb the 69 narrow stairs to the top.
3:00 PM tour of a local kindergarten.
We were told that this is a type of “day care” for 3 – 6 year olds, some of whom spend the night there. It evoked a sense of strangeness to us, given the security and privacy issues and laws in the US. We could walk right in and take pictures of the kindergarten and the children. We were also told that this is one of the better facilities that more affluent families might send their children here! The kindergarten is open for posted tour hours of 9 – 5:15 . “It teaches children discipline, with only 1 child in the family” – Olivia.
Can’t figure the whole Hutong/kindergarten thing - propaganda? Ming told us they were “wealthy” people due to the cost if they sold the land. Olivia, our local guide, said we were seeing the “other side”, that it was/is government housing and they pay small amount of $$ to the government each year.
Bus to the Temple of Heaven. Rest room – 4 ****. 2 western toilets and 1 handicap western toilet.
5:15 PM bus to hotel – ½ hour. Ming told us “If the price is negotiable so is the quality” is a Chinese saying. She told us Beijing is known for Jade, Xian for lacquer, Hangzhou for tea and Shanghai for silk.
Shower! – The heat and grit was getting to us. At the Temple of Heaven the heat and jet lag set in a bit, I was getting a little nauseous, and really needed a shower and a little bit of rest. The smog is incredible, and I could feel the grit on my skin.
Dinner was out our hotel and to the left around the corner. Translated to “China Happy Pavilion Restaurant”. Many dishes some of which were a little spicy. Whole fish, egg drop soup, candied apple and an egg dish.
Throughout the day we were transported by a 52 person air conditioned motor coach for the 13 tour members plus our national and local guide. We also picked up another local guide for the Hutong area (Rose?).
Olivia was very cute and informative. She would frequently finish her sentences with “Ya?” as in “we go to hotel, ya?”, “we go to bus, ya?”
Ming seems better educated, more liberal and has better English. She told us that Olivia is a communist, as was our bus driver, but that she is not. She told us that she had no desire, must study, take a test and then continue to learn and gather to discuss.
Breakfast buffet in the lobby restaurant of our hotel. A mix of Eastern and Western foods.
8:oo AM bus departure to Tiananmen Square. This was our first dealing with the myriad of hawkers that we found all over China. Quite persistent they are! We did have a group picture taken, and did purchase the souvenir book - 100 Yuan. Exchange was approximately 7.5 yuan = $1.
Walked to the Forbidden City.
In China some of the public restrooms are rated on a 1 to 5 *****. Right inside the South entrance, to the left was the first of the public restrooms we encountered. It had 5 ***** above the entrance. There were 2 western stalls and a handicap toilet that was western. All the others were Asian squat type toilets. Be sure to bring your own toilet paper and seat liners if you choose. Hand sanitizer wipes are another necessity.
12:00 PM on the bus to Hutong Area 衚衕
We had an itinerary switch and went to the Hutong area today instead of Wednesday. Here we boarded bicycle rickshaws to tour the narrow alleys.
The restroom at the Bell Drum Tower – 3 *** - only squat toilets.
We were driven to a “local” lunch – a meal served at the home of a local family. Many dishes were served, including dumplings. The food was basically good, if a little bland.
Back by rickshaw to a performance at the Drum Tower. We opted to not climb the 69 narrow stairs to the top.
3:00 PM tour of a local kindergarten.
We were told that this is a type of “day care” for 3 – 6 year olds, some of whom spend the night there. It evoked a sense of strangeness to us, given the security and privacy issues and laws in the US. We could walk right in and take pictures of the kindergarten and the children. We were also told that this is one of the better facilities that more affluent families might send their children here! The kindergarten is open for posted tour hours of 9 – 5:15 . “It teaches children discipline, with only 1 child in the family” – Olivia.
Can’t figure the whole Hutong/kindergarten thing - propaganda? Ming told us they were “wealthy” people due to the cost if they sold the land. Olivia, our local guide, said we were seeing the “other side”, that it was/is government housing and they pay small amount of $$ to the government each year.
Bus to the Temple of Heaven. Rest room – 4 ****. 2 western toilets and 1 handicap western toilet.
5:15 PM bus to hotel – ½ hour. Ming told us “If the price is negotiable so is the quality” is a Chinese saying. She told us Beijing is known for Jade, Xian for lacquer, Hangzhou for tea and Shanghai for silk.
Shower! – The heat and grit was getting to us. At the Temple of Heaven the heat and jet lag set in a bit, I was getting a little nauseous, and really needed a shower and a little bit of rest. The smog is incredible, and I could feel the grit on my skin.
Dinner was out our hotel and to the left around the corner. Translated to “China Happy Pavilion Restaurant”. Many dishes some of which were a little spicy. Whole fish, egg drop soup, candied apple and an egg dish.
Throughout the day we were transported by a 52 person air conditioned motor coach for the 13 tour members plus our national and local guide. We also picked up another local guide for the Hutong area (Rose?).
Olivia was very cute and informative. She would frequently finish her sentences with “Ya?” as in “we go to hotel, ya?”, “we go to bus, ya?”
Ming seems better educated, more liberal and has better English. She told us that Olivia is a communist, as was our bus driver, but that she is not. She told us that she had no desire, must study, take a test and then continue to learn and gather to discuss.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Saturday July 30, enroute
Left house @ 10 AM --> airport @ 2.
Delay until boarding at 6:15? try 7:45! Held until 9:06 PM take off. Signage says 12.5 hours - we'll see.
Landed at 9:48 PM July 1.
Right through Health/Quarantine. Efficient baggage and customs.
Ming Li, tour guide, was waiting with blue China Spree flag. 2 other girls joined us for van transport to hotel.
Most impressed with flight and service, except for the delay of course.
1st meal – chicken, rice, salad
Tuna sandwich snack at 2:00 AM
2nd meal – pork and noodles, roll, fruit (better than first meal)
Very impressed with the people on plane – quiet, mostly stayed in seats.
We were moved to bulkhead seats, lucky us. Only the 2 of us in a 4 seat row, except for 2 hours when one of the flight attendants slept in the seat next to me. The 3 seats across from me were also used by flight attendants for some snooze time.
Slept 12:15 – 5:00 AM.
Hotel: Metro Park Beijing - # 517. 2 double beds. Photos/ Hotel.
Delay until boarding at 6:15? try 7:45! Held until 9:06 PM take off. Signage says 12.5 hours - we'll see.
Landed at 9:48 PM July 1.
Right through Health/Quarantine. Efficient baggage and customs.
Ming Li, tour guide, was waiting with blue China Spree flag. 2 other girls joined us for van transport to hotel.
Most impressed with flight and service, except for the delay of course.
1st meal – chicken, rice, salad
Tuna sandwich snack at 2:00 AM
2nd meal – pork and noodles, roll, fruit (better than first meal)
Very impressed with the people on plane – quiet, mostly stayed in seats.
We were moved to bulkhead seats, lucky us. Only the 2 of us in a 4 seat row, except for 2 hours when one of the flight attendants slept in the seat next to me. The 3 seats across from me were also used by flight attendants for some snooze time.
Slept 12:15 – 5:00 AM.
Hotel: Metro Park Beijing - # 517. 2 double beds. Photos/ Hotel.
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