Six Weeks in Beijing

After four months in Singapore in 2002 in April of that year I was sent to Beijing for six weeks.

Back then I wrote of my weekend activities:

 

Great Wall & Summer Palace

28 May 2002

Last couple of weekends have been very sunny and warm with what passes here for a clear blue sky. Two weeks ago at the weekend I went to the summer palace on Saturday. I got myself a guide for 150 Yuan – all you have to do is stand around at the entrance looking lost (not hard to do since generally I am) and an approach by some entrepreneur is virtually guaranteed. It’s a pretty big place and we did a virtual route march up to the temple on the top. It’s actually quite pleasant up there and one gets a good view of Beijing and the lake in front of the palace – back in the days of the emperors it was probably quite nice – now the skyline in the distance is not that great! The place had loads of tourists – though they thin out towards the top. The “long corridor” turns into a long walk made even more so by the inability of the locals to pick their feet up and walk properly – or in anything approaching a straight line. Saw such things as the Marble Boat and more concubine’s rooms and emperor’s bedrooms. Might be worth a re-visit to wander round at more leisurely pace.

Unfortunately I twisted my ankle on some of the steps at the top. It didn’t seem bad at the time – and got back to hotel, went for swim, and thought nothing of it. Went out to what they call “Bar Street” for a meal with a bloke from England – after sitting there about an hour got up (about 8’o clock by now) and could hardly walk! Anyway, after a night’s rest it was fairly OK next day.

Went to a German Brauhaus with a couple of Americans last week - they were having a May festival promotion. The food comprised sausages, mash, meat, sausages, meat and more sausages. To be honest not that brilliant but these blokes think it's great because taste and quantity wise it's about on par with US food. They also had some dancing girls from Munich in traditional Bavarian outfits. One of the Americans had been about five times to see this.


Last weekend went to Great wall at Bada Ling on Saturday then Ming Tombs. Quite exhausting climbing the wall - packed out with people as well. Rather amusing museum at base - pictures of 'the Prime Minister of' or "the president of" visiting at various dates - but no names on any of these people - other than Richard Nixon and Muhammad Ali. Interesting that the only non premier/president/king was "the leadership of the British Conservative Party" in 1975. Wonder if they visited the Summer Palace to learn about China's own "Dragon Lady" - the Empress Ci Ci - whilst they were at it.

The grounds and history of the Ming Tombs was interesting - but the tomb itself is about as interesting as a wine cellar 27 metres down without any wine in it. None of the coffins etc. down there are originals - about only thing of interest is a stone throne.