After getting into Beijing the night before, our first stop on the tour was to Tiananmen Square. When I was growing up my images of China came from the news. Back then everybody dressed the same and all you would see were people riding bicycles. At that time Moa Se Tung was ruler of China. People referred to it as Red China and Chinese citizens had few of the freedoms they enjoy today.
Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden City
The lady in the middle is our Chinese tour guide. I asked her if she had ever been to Chicago and she said yes, once. I asked her if she ever visited Chinatown in Chicago. She said no because at the time it was very cold and she was there for only a few days.
We were staying at Sheraton Hotel right around the corner from the Hard Rock Cafe Beijing. After getting tired of Chinese food, my room mate and I walked hear and had a good old fashioned hamburger.
Microsoft Building on the right.
The Great Wall. (the only man made object on earth that is visible with the eye from the surface of the moon)
That's a blanket over my head. It was very windy and cold.
As a former Boy Scout, I performed my good deed of the day on this lady. We were both on the roof of the tower and both of us were going down the stairs leading from the roof to inside the tower floor. Being a gentleman, I was going to let her go first. She hesitated to go down the stairs because they were very steep and high. So I went first and backed down the stairs while holding her hands as she took one step at a time. I'm not such a bad person after all even if I do say so myself.
After our visit to "The Great Wall" we stopped at this pottery factory and restaurant.
Terra Cota Warriors stand guard against the Mongolian hordes. (these are only imitations, for purchase. The real ones are in another city)
After a long day of climbing "The Great Wall" it time for a hot meal.
These are some big pieces of hand carved jade.
The Summer Palace
The Seventeen Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace. (this lake was man made in the 14th or 15th century.)
School children on a field trip to the Summer Palace.
Sorry. these two are the same picture.
The Olympic stadium has been nicknamed "The Bird's Nest" I don't want to see the bird.
I wouldn't stand to close. Those are swords they are swinging around. You might lose an appendage.
I'll see your $20 and raise you $50. I have a full house. (no they are not playing poker but mijong.)
Temple of Heaven
This temple is the highest point in Beijing.
The World Famous Yuanlong Silk factory. This was the last stop on our tour this day.
Map of Ancient Silk Trade Routes. (maybe current routes too)
Tools of the trade. ( They don't use these any more. These are antiques. The process of weaving the silk is automated now.)
The process of making a silk blanket.
