Day 8: 4th November 2011, Friday
Destination: Forbidden City & Tianemen Square, Beijing
I arrived Beijing early in the morning. I booked Peeking Hostel, upon recommendation by Chris. I decided to take taxi, and just like in other country, he cheated with the meters. But what took me by suprise was when he started to behave weirdly. All the way he was straring and smiling, and said word or two. He kept on pointing at my face and showing thumbs up, which means he likes my face. That was flatery, but what came next was shocking. He fliped my lonely planet, and was pointing at money and how much? Oh god, did he think I was that cheap! This is even more bizarre then India or Egypt! I pretended like I did not understand, smiled, paid him, waved good bye and walked towards the hostel!
The hostel was interesting, the main entrance for reception, cafe and several rooms, and the building beside for additional rooms, which accommodated almost 16 beds, 3 toilets and 3 showers and lockers! It cost CNY100. What I liked most about the hostel is the location. It is near by the Forbiden City, train station, restaurant, shopping and night market!
I had three days left and hiking Today to nearby visit such as Forbiden City and Tianemen Square, and Tomorrow city tour and the third day, hiking The Great Wall. The entrance fees is about CNY60, audio is CNY40. The audio was great, no guide needed. It was basically interesting. walking out of the Forbiden city is the Tianemen Square. Wide ground, with real stories of democracy.
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| Tianemen Square |
I was really hungry, as now it narrow down to one meal a day! I wanted to eat real food, as I have not eaten in 24 hours. So with the city guide map, I wondered around. My destination was to visit the park and find Hutong, the famous backpackers paradise, but as usual I got lost. I found other place that had good food and great place for SHOPPING! The only thing was, all was winter clothes! So, insteed, I left for the night market for souvineirs.
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| My spicy Hokien Noodle, Chinese style! |
I was shocked! The night market was not souvinier shop but one long stretch of street food, as in Thailand. all kind of fast food, from various type of drink; deserts like fried tapioca ball and popiah, noodle soups, hot pot from star fish to snakes and various vegetable. it had delightfull. My favorite was the popiah! It was delicious, and no, I do not want to know if it is pure vegetarian!
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| Popiah or spring rolls |
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| Fried tapioca with coconut |
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| Night market that sell all kind of food, even snakes!!! |
The street after was just huge shopping complex with branded items. But sadly all was just winter clothes. In between those complex was a what I discribed as little China town in China, selling souviniers, but sadly everything can be obtained here in Malaysia, at cheaper price!
Day 9: 5th November 2011, Saturday
Destination: Summer Palace and Lama Temple, Beijing
The transportation in Beijing is superb. 15 lines all connected underground. I loved it. First on the list was the furtheset, Summer Palace. I packed breakfast, Char Kueh and instant milk tea and walked to the nearest train station. The palace was superb, I spend almost 3 hours there and liked it more then forbiden City.
The boat ride was relaxing and nice. I felt like princess from the Taiwanese movie.
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| The entrance |
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| ladies playing |
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| ladies dancing |
My next destination was the Olympic stadium, but unfortunately, the Line was not in operating, so headed to Yonghegong (Lama Temple), the oldest temple. The temple is superb, I loved the fraganrace. It is so refreshing. The entrance fees is CNY20.
I headed back to hostel, to shower and go shopping again. Tonight it was street food only as I wanted to spend time shopping. Before heading back to hostel, I bought bread and drinks and also a shoe for tomorrows excursion. The current shoe was not in good condition! The wather was getting cold each day, walking at night is difficult.
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