Beijing - Population 15.3 Million!

Trip Start Sep 01, 2007
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Trip End Oct 22, 2007


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Flag of China  ,
Sunday, September 2, 2007

We were met by our guide and whisked off to our first experience, a tea tasting ceremony. We learnt how to make the different types of teas, hold the tiny cups and slurp the tea. All tea was on sale but day 1 of 51 was not for shopping.
 
Next was the Temple of Dreams with its various temples, courtyards, echo stones and whispering walls. These walls are supposed to work in the same way as the whispering dome of St Paul's Cathedral but, given that everyone shouts loudly enough at the wall to be heard all around it, it is hard to decide if it work or not. It would be interesting to be there on a quiet, still night to see (hear) if it works.
 
When we were taken to check in at our hotel it was full so our guide apologetically asked if it was ok that we were upgraded to the 5 star sister hotel. We managed to struggle through that hardship :-) With such opulence, for supper we went walking and found a night market where we could eat noodles and drink beer with the locals, a delicious welcome to China.
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