I catch a bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing and on my second day I take the advice of a Chinese passenger from the train who told me “Don’t waste the clear skies!” so I arrange a day trip with a taxi driver to The Great Wall of China, the Mutianyu section which I read is less busy than the popular Badaling part, and was rewarded with clear skies and virtually having the wall to myself! In the next few days I also visited The ForbiddenCity, Beijing Olympic Park, The Temple of Heaven, The CCTV headquarters building and Beihai Park.
The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu Section Photos
Can you imagine someone driving that down the M4?!A town called…Bridge spotted on a stop off to the Great WallTaken at the Chinese equivalent of a truckstop - here’s me (sporting the very latest Casio watch) enjoying lunch with my cab driver before climbing the Great Wall.The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu, in the distance just a few steps and a cable car away…I snapped this from out of the cable car coming down from the wall, look closely and you can see towers along the back mountain!This glamorous chunk of rock is to mark the AAAA scenic spot award from 2002View from out of one of the wall's many towersI was lucky to get some nice weather the day I visited the wall, plus the Autumn colours made this a really special moment indeedThe Great Wall in Mutianyu, BeijingI climbed up to that first tower for some amazing views of the wall ~ you can see how steep it was coming down in the next video!The winding Great Wall of China, it quite literally goes on for miles as you can see in the background of this photo!The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu, Beijing ~ one of my favourite photos of the whole trip!Wedding models happily strolling along the wall ~ like the red of her dress in this one!
The ForbiddenCity Photos
Guy selling sweets on sticks of the back of his bicycle, I'd love to see this happening around London!The northwest corner tower of the Forbidden CityGiant Flower Pot in Tiananmen SquarePortrait of Mao Zedong at the Tiananmen gate, Chinese guard keeping a watchful eyeThis face mask was something different!The Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden CityThe throne in the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Forbidden CityTaken from the Forbidden City, that temple on the hill is the spot where I took a photo of the whole of the Forbidden City!The northern ramp, behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony, this weighs some 200 tons and is the largest such carving in China!Gilded lion ball detailThis tree in situated the Forbidden City is around 500 years old!A statue of a kneeling elephant in the Forbidden City. Although it is known that elephants don't kneel this way, it was used to symbolize the obedience of other countries.As I was exiting the Palace I saw this Chinese tourist holding a giant doll, needless to say a photo opportunity was hadSmoking is more than a national pastime in China.The beautiful view of the Forbidden City from the top of the hill in Jingshan Park
The Temple of Heaven & Beihai Park Photos
Sign at the entrance to the Temple of Heaven Park, I like this colour!Blowing off some groovy Saturday sax in the park.Temple of Heaven Singer, BeijingA light-hearted socialist revolutionary dance in the parkThe long walkway up to the The Hall of Prayer – lot’s of activities going on around here!Chinese game that is no doubt older than it’s owner!Women sharing knitting practices in the Temple of Heaven ParkWedding models getting ready for their next shootWedding model, Temple of Heaven, BeijingThe Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, like the blue tones of this buildingThe Temple of Heaven, just gotta love this girls jumper & glasses in photo!Wedding model girl posing for me ~ loving the peace signs hahaShiny green dragon tiles at The Temple of Heaven‘This is more fun than an iPhone Mum…’The Double Ring Longevity Pavilion in the Temple of Heaven ParkBlack squirrels playing in the park.Advertisement for some kind of health pill supplement – looks like the staff weren’t so impressed…Dragon boat on the lake at Beihai Park.Chinese calligraphy writing at Beihai ParkBridge to the White Pagoda in Beihai Park
Beijing Olympic Park & The CCTV Headquarters Building Photos
The Ling Long Pagoda lit up at night in the Olympic Green, BeijingThe Beijing National Stadium, or 'Bird's Nest' as it's knownA futuristic giant robot spider at the Olympic Green, BeijingThe CCTV headquarters building in Beijing, crazy structure and known as "big pants" locally!Musical flower display at night in BeijingClose-up of those happy flowers
