I will have to do this in follow ups as it is too big to do all at once.
One of the places I always wanted to go to is China, the culture is so different and the history and places are amazing.
Part 1
So to start with was the booking of the holiday. We booked with a company no longer existing called Orental Travel way back in 2006. Flew from Birmingham airport to Beijing with KLM.
Think we must have booked about the best travel agents bar none. Arrived in Beijing to be met at the airport by our guide and we went to the hotel in a private car. Only given a few hours rest before first trip. This was a rickshaw ride around a part kept as was, not modernised. Anything interesting? yes. the guy peddling had a peddle fall of the bike, now over here to get a new peddle takes a few days to find and fit, not over there every shop has bike parts and we were off again in a few minuites
No time to stop that evening off to the Lakeside Imperial restraurant and what a place.
A walk through the park to this amazing building with 4 beautiful ladies in traditional costume to open the doors for us
Inside all gold leaf
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We asked the guide and driver to join us at our table but they didn’t want to intrude. Must have had about 15 courses at that sitting, or put another way so full a job to get up from the table.
The back to the hotel and a welcome bed.
the numbedr of stones circlating the center are done in such a way they mount up to being able to be devided by 9 if I remember their lucky number
The centre raised sone is where the emperior stood to pray to heaven.
PIc 1 main building unfortunately covered as getting rfeady for olympic games
pict 2 carved marble stonework
pic3 one of only two of the worlds largest urns
pic 4/5 the only place the Emporess was allolwed to see outside the forbidden city
p[ic 6’7 entrance tol folrbidden city . Notice it is a square as every courtyard , it is a defence against invaders so they could shoot arrows down on and invaders
Next post The great wall if anyone is interested that is
nothing special to look at , however they are so poor they actually go and break branches of the trees outside the town and lay them on the road to dry for heatinging the homes and cooking on. eventually got to where we go up in ski lifts to the great wall having to pass the preverbial tourist trap
The difference between our visit and other tourist groups is we went right up to the mountain ridge, others just stepped off a coach and no idea what the wall was actually like
Taken half way up in the lift looking down
notice in the last how they got onto the wall
. A barrier was to stop them falling on the way down
China on the left and mongolia on the right
wall under repair
This was used by the an emperors wicked governess of his children. Her name was CICI? she sat on a chair near the front with a huge mirror. Anyone standing infront of her were killed
Now for what i missed out. Oh we also went to the theatre to see a chinese play. Had to laugh, Sue didn’t have a good view from where she was sitting so sat on the main staircase ti the seating area. Everything was fine UNTIL .she had a tap on the sholder and turning around the enporer and his entourage was being held up by guess who? as they wanted to get onto the stage.
oh that archway, only the emporer was allowed to pass through the middle arch and within those lines. Anyone else would be killed
So just a quick run through of our Trip to China, Hope you found it interesting
Have to say a big thanks to the two tour guides in Bieging and Xian and the car drivers, some of the most helpful friendly people of all our overseas holdays , they made it memorable
I also did a tour of China - in November 2019 !! Nowhere near Wuhan as far as I know. We started in Shanghai and ended in Beijing.
Did you notice the directional mics on all the posts in Tiananmen Square? Our rep made a point of saying we shouldn’t talk to him at all during our visit there.
Interesting holiday but creepy - the people were like little automated, pre-programmed robots.
post with camera in first photo back in 2006 and just these guards. I asked by sign language if it was ok to take a photo in the last photo. He could not answer as such but smiled and a slight nod
in the forbidden city that small hill where the emporess was allowed to look outside the forbidden city
Thank you for your nice reply. China, or the small part we saw is fascinating and they have kept their history. Like visiting any country ,and we have been to a good few, the knack is to ignore any politics and marvel at what the countrry has to offer. Another thing I have learnt is if you want to take a photo and in doubt ask first even by sign language, they appreciate you asking first. Some of the shots I would not have got otherwise here and elsewhere.
Such as these three actors on the wall in Xian . I point to the camera then to them as they came towards me with a thumbs up or down.
One has to want to see a different culture first before visiting any country. China was on my bucket list
and would love to go back again to a different part. Also depends on what type of holiday one wants. I think if you get the travel itch it is hard to scratch away. Of course being able to afford as well is a big issue.
Sue and I hopefully are going back to Norway then on to the Fareo Islands and then to Iceland next year ,covid permitting. This will cost around £10,000 so definately not cheap if you look at the price, but not having a holiday since covid and accepting the travel company’s generous upgrade offer due to cancelling a previous booked holiday it works out ok price wise and should be a fantastic holiday.
Thanks for that Realspeed! Fascinating photos! I would love to visit China but it’s a bit late now. I did get to Hong Kong and I am always loving the cultural side of people. The differences between us is what fascinates me.
When I worked at the Museum in Waipawa, we got quite a few Chinese tourists and without an exception over the 10 years I was there, every one was so respectful and friendly even if they didn’t speak English.
