Dragon Spring Hotel Beijing

... by an intricate freeway system crisscrossing the city. In the rush hour, traffic jams can match those of any major city around the world and the ringing of mobile phones is incessant. However, the modern buildings conceal traditional hutongs, parks, numerous architectural treasure and exquisite yellow-tiled temples whose prayer flags and wind chimes move in the breeze created by the passing traffic.

Beijing became China’s capital in ...

... most tourist places you always generate and interest and it is good practise to test out my Mandarin.


Beijing, Beijing, China mikesblog

... terrible sinking feeling in my stomach. After kicking my feet around for a bit (I later found out this DID NOT inspire confidence into the Swiss girl who went after me), I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. It was absolutely amazing. At the end, we boarded a boat and arrived back at the meeting point, where we got on the bus for the extraordinarily long drive back to Beijing.

Pictures to follow - the internet is slow enough, and I don't want to push my luck.

... is greenery at Mao's feet, and many Chinese people bought flowers after going through security and lay them on the ground at the Mao's feet. Then you walk into the room, containing Mao's body. You are not allowed to stop, the security guards push you along if there are any gaps in the line. Needless to say, I was on the heels of the guy in front of me the whole time. Its amazing to see the position Mao still holds in China today. After leaving Memorial Hall we met at the center of ...

Aunt Shen's son, Tao, and his family (wife Ou and son Luyi) flew to Beijing midnight last night. They took their vacation leaves to watch a few games for which they had already gotten tickets. In the morning, Joseph's former babysitter, Shifeng, called to visit us. I had been trying to find her contact info even before I left ...

... and commonwealth office (fco.gov.uk) for any warnings about travelling to Beijing before you fly. Get the right vaccinations before you go: According to research by esure travel insurance, alarmingly almost a quarter of holidaymakers admit they don't always get the required jabs before going to an exotic country. But it's crucial to make sure that all of your vaccinations are up to date and that you find out about any other suggested medical advice by visiting your GP ...

... first couple of days, but it wasn't so bad.  The breakfast (though expensive) turned out to be pretty good, and I was grateful to spend some time with this group of guys who I hadn't gotten to know so well.  Anyway, we had class at 8:10, went to the bakery during break, and had lunch at First Restaurant again. In the afternoon, we headed to a new part of Beijing where there was a Taoist temple.  This temple depicts the many (and boy do I mean it when I say "many") versions of ...

... we walk through one hall or round another corner there is another courtyard. The place seems to go on forever. Rich and I take so many photos. It is very difficult to get any photographs without anybody in them, but we do get lucky on a couple of occasions - usually towards the edges of the courtyards. I have been told to allow ½ a day for the Forbidden City, but really I think one day is better as there is just so much to see, especially if you take ...

... not too. Ended up in some club shaking our asses to about five and then somehow got a taxi home. On the subject of taxis they are great in Bejing. Cheap as chips and the drivers dont talk to you or understand your drunk babbling. Great for me and im sure evne better for them!! Bejing is a class place. The people are some of the friendliest i've ever met, its cheap to eat/drink and shop in and has some breath taking sights. The smog is a bit on ...

... seem to be actually quite isolated. The only thing to consider here is that with a population of over a billion, those with strange culinary fetishes can form a community, and eat what they please in a comfortable setting: Wang Fu Jing. There's not much I can say that isn't painfully obvious in the photos and videos. The chefs at Wang Fu Jing will cook anything they find underneath ...