Our agenda today will be more walking. After breakfast at the hotel, we gather our many layers of clothes and venture on foot once again. It has snowed the night before and the air was just a bit chillier than the day before. This time, we walked to Tianamen Square. It was Saturday morning and the crowds started very earlier. Although it's almost the end of the Chinese year celebration, still many people from other cities and provinces were visiting. And of course, very few Caucasians around. People love to take pictures Mao's huge portrait hanging on the center of the square. Some even do a reverence like praying for him. We did the tourist thing and left.
Our next destination, the Summer Palace. We brave ourselves and took the subway. It wasn't that bad. Actually, once you know the system its pretty easy and safe. Of course, no English or signs to get there so we asked some students and they were very helpful. The subway station is very clean, no food or drink allowed. And of course very busy on a Saturday morning. They have workers specifically to clear pathways as to avoid accidents or crowds when doors open and shut. Of course, many people stared at us, specially Ken, Caucasian holding hands with a little chinese girl. We arrived some 10 stops later and walked just 1/2 a block. The gardens and buildings are very large, some faded by the weather. As always, 2 enormous lions on each side of the gates to guard the bad spirits seems to be the norm at almost every site or building. The air quality was better and we could see mountain scenery. See pictures here.
We had a quick McDonald's lnuch and rode the subway again to the Temple of Heaven. There is a park around the Temple. Many chinese gather around the gardesn to play cards, sing songs, practice dance and thai chi as a form of exersie. The rounded structure is the temple. We were not allowed inside as on many of the buildings. The temple is build of marble and cold stone. We ended the day with traditional peking duck near the hotel. It was delicious and just perfect. Our time in Beijing has ended. Tomorrow, we fly to Taiyuan. I heard weather is even colder and the air quality is very bad. Will keep you posted.
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