Back in Beijing

  Beijing, Beijing, China
Sunday, April 20, 2008

After a night trip by train in the comfortable soft sleeper compartment, we arrive in Tianjin with its 45 million inhabitants one of the larger cities in China.Just passing through.Upon arrival in the chinese capital Beijing, it rains cats and dogs, and the taxis that are usually parked in front of the  main train station, were nowhere to be seen sothat we (just Simon and me left out of the once 13 persons strong group) had to take the subway to Koryo Tours office to pick up my stored luggage.Hotel.From now on no more group stress!But also, I have to organize again the trip by my own, something that I am used to do, anyway, no problem, and so I go right away  to the vietnamese embassy to apply for my visa.The other priority is to cure my cough and I go to consult a doctor in the SOS clinic in Beijing.
The next day, I have a full sighseeing tour, Left aligned photo tag:

Drum Tower Beijing

visits of the Drum- and  Belltower

Bell Tower, Beijing

, both historical monuments of the 18th century when the time was announced to the city with these huge drums.There are Siberian temperatures today in Beijing, around 5 degrees, and very windy. The Hutong aerea around the Drumtower is very nice, and has many renovated hostels and restaurants.

Hutong restaurant, Beijing

The next day, I visit the old Beijing observatory

observatory in Beijing

with astronomical instruments that were brought to China by European jesuits in the 16th century.Tiananmen square, and a visit to the Forbidden City

Forbidden City

which was off limits to ordinary citizens for more than 500 years, thats why its name!There is a lot of renovation going on, and it is quite difficult to make good photos, eventhough I have the advantage of a warm sunset light.
The "Donghuamen night market" close to Wangfujing street is very interesting, and has many food stalls with chinese delicacies.
But tonight I prefer a authentic german restaurant, Die Kochmuetzen, a huge Vienna porc Schnitzel, with Hofbrauhaus beer from the pint.
On my last day in the Chinese capital , I visit the Yonghe Gong or Lama temple

Lama temple, Beijing

, originally  (1694) a palace for the monarchs of the Qing dynasty,it was converted into  a temple 50 years later.
The absolute hightlight is a 17m high Buddha figure, carved from a single piece of fine sandalwood, of course painted in gold, it even landed in the Guiness Book of World Records in 1990.From here it goes to the "Confucius temple",

Confucius temple, Beijing

a huge complex with 22,000m2 of recently renovated temples and parks; a more quiet place than the Lama temple.
At the end  its the "Imperial College"

Imperial college, Beijing

The emperor during his speech

where the emperor came to teach and give advise to the people, but normally just once a year,