Whirlwind Tour of Beijing

Saturday was a busy fun-filled day consisting of lots of sightseeing, shopping and great food.  We started with a big English breakfast (the idea of Chinese "gruel" just doesn't cut it for breakfast).  We spent the morning stopping at the Jade factory which included a museum and demonstration of how jade is carved.  Then we were off to the Great Wall of China.

The section that we visited is in a beautiful rugged mountain area.  It is a little difficult to imagine how the mongal hords on horseback could have gotten through the mountain area -- but if they did, the wall was there as another line of defense.  The stones are incredibly worn and the steps very deep and uneven-- thank goodness they have installed handrails!  I can't imagine the difficulties faced in trying to build this structure in such a rugged and steep area.  They say that 4 million people were sent to this area to build the wall and all of them died. 

After this we had a great lunch of... wait for it..... CHINESES FOOD!  It is really a good thing that both Steve and I enjoy trying new foods.  I did pass on the tofu which was supposed to be spicy -- although Steve said it wasn't. Then we headed of to the Summer Palace.  When it was built, it was well outside the city.  Now, it is simply a suburb.  There is an artifical lake, and there was so much earth moved that a temple now sits atop the pile  - way, way up there.  The Palace covers 300 acres and is beautiful, but reminds us of the opulance that was the downfall to the Ming Dynasty. 

We then headed of to the pearl market - run by the gfovernment, because the government has no reason to cheat people, as opposed to private business people who are incentavised to cheat....makes perfect sense.  Not!  Then off to the silk museum and shop.  It was a very good tour of how silk is made.  Then we did a bit of light shopping (pun intended).

Dinner was at Beijin Roast Duck, established in 1864 and the one restaurant you must eat at in China.  Steve enjoyed his meal,  but will always compare every duck from now on to a Quanjude duck.  We sat in a beautiful room where thre duck was served in front of us, around a big round table - it was an experience!
Off to bed, pack early, flight to Jinan and then we meat Chen Qian (the proper name for us to call her)!  We will have a little girl in 12 hours!