Beijing-adventure
Last month we posted our Hong Kong article and said that our next travel article would be a visit to Beijing the rapidly changing capital of China.
The trip was booked on the internet through Dragonair Holidays . Dragonair is an excellent Hong Kong airline which has frequent daily flights from Hong Kong to Beijing.
We chose a 3 night 4 day package staying at the excellent Peninsular Hotel.The package included round trip air fares, 3 nights accommodation with breakfast Day, transfers to and from Beijing airport, private sightseeing tours with some meals and insurance all at a reasonable price.
Once intended to ward off enemy attacks today it brings together the peoples of the world.
The Great Wall may it continue to act as a symbol of friendship for future generations
Itinery
1 HONG KONG / BEIJING After arrival at the hotel a city tour to Yonghegong (Lama Temple) and Wangfujing.Peking Duck dinner in the evening
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2 BEIJING A visit to the Ming Tombs - Chang Ling and walk among the magnificent animal sculptures along the Sacred Way. After lunch, a fascinating cable car ride up to the Mu Tian Yu section of the Great Wall
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Day 3 BEIJING Aa walk around Tiananmen Square , followed by the and Jingshan Park . Lunch at a Qing Dynasty styled courtyard.
Afternoonl visit the Summer Palace
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Day 4 BEIJING / HONG KONG A visit to the Hutongs - traditional alleys and Prince Gong's Palace by rickshaw. After a special noodle cuisine lunch at a modern noodle shop, return to Hong Kong
Hutongs
A unique feature of Beijing is its many but disappearing Hutongs. The Beijing government is modernising and preserving Hutongs for its future legacy.Hutong literally means small lanes .It is said if we connected all of Beijing's lanes end to end it would be longer than the Great Wall.
We visited a Hutong dwelling and were able to converse with the owner through an interpreter about his and our family and life.
The Great Wall
The thrill of the visit to Beijing was the Great Wall, it is truly a wonder of mans endeavor and a sight to behold as it snakes across the hilltops.
Historical records indicate that about a fifth of China's population at the time was involved in building the wall. When finished it was called 'Wan Li Chang Cheng' or ten thousand Li-Longwall.
The Wall is included in lists of the "Seven Medieval Wonders of the World" and has been said to be the only man made object that can be seen from the moon.
Conclusion
All in all it was a fascinating trip, good accommodation, good food, and an excellent guide (Robert- adopted name for his English lessons!) and not forgetting our driver for the visit Mr Wong.
