Bejing (15 Sep 2009 - 22 Sep 2009)
Friday, September 25, 2009 |3:19 PM
Having travelled to various parts of China many times which includes Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Jiujiang, Nantong and Huizhou, Beijing has always been a place i wanted to visit. Reason-> because its the capital of China. Thanks to my mum, this dream of mine finally came true. The best part of it was that its fully paid for which includes air tickets, accomodation, food and shopping! After much discussion, the 3 of us, brother, ling and me settledon the travelling dates and started our planning. Before our trip, there were loads of reading up to be done. From researching for the hotel, attractions to visit and also to finalise our day to day plans. Even when we were there, hiccups do occur and everyday as we head back to hotel, brother and i would be busy searching for the address of the destinations we will be visiting the following day. Day to day walking was painful to the feet to the extent that we bought a basin, filled it with hot water and soak our feets into it at the end of a day's walking. Enough of complaining, let me just blog down whatever i can remember while its still fresh in my memory.
*Beware! The photos are overwhelming. In fact we took like more than 800 photos but the following ones are the ones which i really like. So join me and let my photos do the talking as pictures can speak a thousand words...
Day 1
The 4 of us departed SG at 12.15am on 15 Sep 2009. After a gruelling 6 hours flight (i hate sitting on a plane), we finally arrived at Beijing International Airport. Well the 6 hours flight was terrible. Initially, i thought since its a midnight flight, i'll be able to catch some rest and sleep. But it wasn't what i expected. In fact, i hardly slept and was awake throughout 3/4 of the flight time. After our arrival at the Airport, we took the Airport Express Train to 东直门 station and hail 2 cabs and headed to our hotel. Did our check in, bathe and rested a while before heading out for breakfast and also to fulfill our purpose of heading to China.
Ling and Yanli enjoying their foot massage using the Osim Isqueeze provided by Changi Airport. I can't use it because it was not suitable for me at that point of time.
Day 2
Due to the tiredness from the previous day, we slept real early the night before and headed to our first destination 天安门. All of us were very excited going to 天安门 because we've always seen it on TV yet never have the chance to experience it real life. After 天安门, we headed for yet another famous place-> Forbidden City which is also known as 紫禁城 or 故宫。Initially, we wanted to just tag along some of the tour groups and walked about with them so that we can listen to their tour guides explain the history of the palace. But we ended up engaging 1 ourselves and paid RMB 80 which we felt was quite worth it.
Right in front of a building which till now i still haven't know/find out what it is. It was really sunny that day.
Good weather but really sunny and the pollution in Beijing is terrible. Chairman Mao's photos looks very blur from behind
If i am not wrong, the tower behind is something to commeomorate those who died during WW2. Correct me if i am wrong.
Finally, a picture of the 4 of us. My brother was the camera man throughout the trip and when you don't see him in the picture it means he's taking photos for us.
it's the 4 of us again with the building which i ain't sure what it is. I guess its the Chairman Mao's memorial museum.
to locate a spot to take a picture with the 4 of us at Tiananmen Square is one of the hardest thing because the place is packed with tourists. But..we did it!
Salute to Chairman Mao!
The picture explains where we are heading for.
Right in front of the Forbidden City before we head inside
Can you see how much space there is behind me? Can you imagine how the emperors and queens have so much to walk?
in the middle of a passageway with tons of people acting as our background
the building behind is the main building if i ain't wrong. Accordingly, the passageway whereby we are standing is for the Emperor to walk back in the olden times.
sorry i can't recall what's the building behind me. Just wanted a shot of myself
This is the female version of a stallion. Realised that it looks kind of different from the usual female stallion that you see? It has longer ears and eyebrows that cover its eyes.As explained by our tour guide, women in the past (ie. those living in the palace) have low status. They are not suppose to intervene in matters regarding to politics. So this is placed in the palace to remind them that if they do hear or see anything which is not of their concern, they are to pretend that they have not seen or heard anything. In our current times, we call it "see no evil, hear no evil".
i can't remember what does the animal behind symbolise. Its some sort of a creature that has various parts.
this tree behind me is actually for lovers but well, since i have no lover @ the moment i've decided to take it alone :)
Just before we headed out of the palace, decided to capture a shot of the place.
Many thanks to our tour guide who patiently brought us around and explained to us the history behind the place and the various purposes in which the different palaces were used for.
4 of us headed to a park named Jingshan Park. There wasn't much there but we saw this and decided to wear it and take photos of ourselves in the olden times costume. Crazy Ling and me doing stupid shots. haha Day 3
By the time we got to Day 3, i felt that that feet was like about to give way. The day started off with us taking a cab to Xidan (西单). Had KFC as brunch (which may seem boring to many) but nice to me coz i really miss the egg tarts that they offer. The funny thing was that i got my brother and ling hooked on it as well. After brunch, we walked around the area for less than an hour, bought 4 Pek King duck and headed off to the Olympic Park for our photo shoots.
somewhere in Xidan. We wanted to take a picture to remember that we passed by this place before.
4 gila people trying to do something funny right smack in front of the Bird's Nest. Yanli is portraying swimming, Ling is swimming, Me doing shot put while brother is doing hurdles.
Jump for Joy!
China is really proud of being the host of the Beijing Olympics 2008. Till now they keep their stadiums in tip top condition. We see workers scrapping off chewing gum that was left by inconsiderate people. The flowers are so well maintained that we can't resist and took a picture with it.
Finally we went into the stadium which costs us RMB 50 per person and its just purely sitting inside
3 happy people enjoying the cool weather inside the stadium.
picture explains it for itself. Yes it reads Beijing 2008
we were quite "chor lor" in this picture. In fact, we just wanted to climb over to the next row yet we didn't want to walk too far.
me in an empty stadium with just tourists and empty seats. Stadium still plays the olympics song.Day 5
This was the "this is it day". The day whereby all 4 of us were looking forward to. The day where by we are going to walk/climb the Great wall of China. We actually booked the tour with our hotel and chose the Badaling one. Woke up @ around 6+ to prepare ourselves. But we were quite disappointed with the tour group. They first brought us to the Ming Dynasty 13 Tombs, a jade factory and then the Great wall. I was quite pissed that they made us stay for like 1 1/2 hours @ the jade factory and we weren't even interested. To add to my unhappiness, we were only able to walk the great wall for like 1 hour or slightly longer. Plus there were additional costs!! Well it was agreed that we were to pay RMB 160 and none extra. but while on our way to the Great Wall, the tour guide told us that because from Lvl 1-4 is very steep and accidents often occur, so we have to take a ride up and it costs us RMB 60 each!! Its a "suck thumb" situation so no choice..pay up. The greatest disappointment @ the Great wall was that the weather that day was bad. Chilly winds, Foggy skies. But nevertheless, we continued to climb and 自high. We ended the tour @ around 5+ and headed for my all time favourite-> steamboat. After steamboat, we took a slow walk back to our hotel. I really enjoyed the walk because it was a great time slowly walking with my brother, helping him do the navigation and it seems like ages since i've walked such a long walk with him.
i realised that i often take pictures with things which i don't have a single idea what it is. The background ain't as important as the person compared to in the picture. :)
we took this @ the jade factory. There isn't anything we are interested in over there, except for pictures.
introducing the Greatwall of China to all of you. 1 of the 7 wonders of the world. The steps here ain't steep.
screaming coz filled with awe. What an amazing view from here though visibility wasn't as good
i'm loving it.
My favourite pic @ the Great wall. Feels like a ballerina striking a pose
this is almost the end of the section of the Great Wall which we have climbed.Taking pictures is a great way of resting.
No through road, so its pictures time. 4 of us wanting to take a picture to remember our achievement.
we are beginning our descend.
a section of the Great Wall. Can you see those holes? Guess what's the purpose of it now..hahaha
we have almost reached the end of our descendment. It feels good to hold on to my brother when i'm cold
cheers :)
spread my wings saying HI! with love from Beijing
hugging close.
3 pretty ladies who have set foot on the Great wall of China
the view is great, walk was great, company is great
After a tired day, food does best. Here am i, enjoying my dinner. I am famished!Day 6
This was the day we visited the Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven. Seriously, i've not really heard much about the Lama Temple so in the morning before we set off, i was reading the info provided by my brother on the background of Lama Temple. What's so impressive about the Lama Temple? I must admit compared to the various attractions we've gone to. This ain't the most fantastic. In terms of the structure, scenery etc. But what caught my attention was the people who were so devoted to praying and burning joss sticks. The kind of devotion, i wished that as a Christian i have. In terms of praying to God. But at that moment of visiting the temple, my heart actually felt for the people. God..what breaks your heart, break mine as well. We didn't stay long @ the Lama Temple and soon headed to the Temple of Heaven also known as (天坛). The structure of the Temple of Heaven is beyond what words can describe and this place really left the deepest impression in my whole trip.
yours truly posing with the introduction of the Lama Temple
appreciating the greenery that's prevalent in China
the 3 very sian look trying to force out a smile
we look much more alive now after a little walking
The Temple of Heaven
striking a pose with one of the structures which i want to visit for a long time
The Temple of heaven, literally the Altar the Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings.
this photo brings me back to my younger days whereby i've pictures taken with my brother. Look now..we have grown up!
see the thing i am standing on? lots of people crowd around it wanting to stand in the middle to take pictures. and being me..i squeeze in
chripy me!
hungry and tired yet posing @ Sanlitum shopping centre to show that i've set foot there once.
the recommended restaurant. Found it after 2 rounds of walking. Damn...i look tiredDay 6
We didn't start the day early due to the tiredness from the past few days of walking. Headed for Summer Palace also known as （颐和园) first thing in the morning right after breakfast. Well, palaces in China are tremendously huge and the scenery in the respective attractions are beyond description. We took a subway to 八沟 station and hailed a cab from there. I was really tired at the Summer palace that i turned very grouchy so i missed out some of the spots which brother, ling and yanli visited. After Summer Palace, i was feeling better and we headed again to the Olympic Park for photo shoots of the night view. I can only say the 4 of us went abit crazy @ the sight of the night view of the Olympic park and we were crazily snapping away.
We didn't start the day early due to the tiredness from the past few days of walking. Headed for Summer Palace also known as （颐和园) first thing in the morning right after breakfast. Well, palaces in China are tremendously huge and the scenery in the respective attractions are beyond description. We took a subway to 八沟 station and hailed a cab from there. I was really tired at the Summer palace that i turned very grouchy so i missed out some of the spots which brother, ling and yanli visited. After Summer Palace, i was feeling better and we headed again to the Olympic Park for photo shoots of the night view. I can only say the 4 of us went abit crazy @ the sight of the night view of the Olympic park and we were crazily snapping away.
the bridge behind us is called the 17 arch bridge
Well..since i've already walked all the way just to locate this Marble Boat. How can i not snap a picture of it?
One of the favourite shots that every individual will take when they are in the Summer Palace. This is known as "Marble Boat" also known as the 石舫.
A little history about this Boat -> It is also known as the Boat of Purity and Ease. It was first erected in 1755[1] during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. The original pavilion was made from a base of large stone blocks which supported a wooden superstructure done in a traditional Chinese design[1].
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, the pavilion was destroyed[1] by Anglo-French forces. It was restored in 1893[1] on order of the Empress Dowager Cixi. In this restoration, a new two-story superstructure was designed which incorporated elements of European architecture. Like its predecessor, the new superstructure is made out of wood but it was painted to imitate marble. On each "deck", there is a large mirror to reflect the waters of the lake and give an impression of total immersion in the aquatic environment. Imitation paddlewheels on each side of the pavilion makes it look like a paddle steamer[1]. The pavilion has a sophisticated drainage system which channels rain water through four hollow pillars. The water is finally released into the lake through the mouths of four dragonheads.
The boat design of the pavilion may relate to a quote attributed to Wei Zheng, a chancellor of the Tang Dynasty renown for his honest advice. He is said to have told the emperor "the waters that float the boat can also swallow it", implying that the people can support the emperor but can also topple him. With this in mind, Emperor Qianlong might have chosen to construct the Marble Boat on a solid stone base to indicate that the Qing Dynasty was not to be overthrown.
The Marble Boat is often seen as an ironic commentary on the fact that the money used to restore the Summer Palace largely came from funds originally earmarked for building up a new imperial navy[2]. The controller of the Admiralty, the 1st Prince Chun, owed much of his social standing as well as his appointment to the Empress Dowager, who had adopted his oldest son to become the Guangxu Emperor. Because of this, he probably saw no other choice than to condone the embezzlement.
The Marble Boat is often seen as an ironic commentary on the fact that the money used to restore the Summer Palace largely came from funds originally earmarked for building up a new imperial navy[2]. The controller of the Admiralty, the 1st Prince Chun, owed much of his social standing as well as his appointment to the Empress Dowager, who had adopted his oldest son to become the Guangxu Emperor. Because of this, he probably saw no other choice than to condone the embezzlement.
The pavilion is 36 meters long. It stands on the northwestern shore of Kunming Lake, near the western end of the Long Corridor.
Another shot of the Marble Boat.
resting my feet
A shot of the Bird's Nest just before the sky turned dark.
Aquatics is a sport that excites me as well. I wish i was here during the Beijing Olympics 2008.
A picture of the 4 of us with Water Cube. Ling and I just can't get enough of it.
This was a test shot of the Bird's Nest. Lights were too bright.
Bird's Nest (鸟巢) from afar. Can you feel the grandour of the stadium?
Instrcuted my brother to take the lights when it turns purple. One of my favourite colours.
Oh No!! the timing of the camera is not right! No lights litted up behind! Must try again.
The olympic park was so breezy that time with strong winds we were like freezing except for my brother. Nevertheless, we wanted to take a picture with the tower which symbolizes the Olympic park.
Water Cube famously known as 水立方which looks simply amazing when its litted up.Another shot of Water cube by my Brother who brought his tripod and served its purpose well.
We found a spot whereby there weren't as much passerbys and i was the guinea pig to see how the effect look like from this spot.
Testing a shot of the 4 of us together.
Striking a standing pose in front of the Bird's Nest (鸟巢). I realise i simply can't get enough of it.
The 4 of us trying to stay as close as possible. The Bird's Nest view at night is simply awesome.
Sitting right in front of Bird Nest to take a picture. The weather was chilly.
The recommended restaurant by my mum's other staff which was supposedly to serve very nice steam boat..er...
our steamboat. It burns by using charcoal. Looks like some ancient time style of eating.
plain soup and the ingredients. The "soup" that was refilled was just purely hot plain water.
The steamboat and all the left over. This meal costs us about RMB 200+.
The 3 of us, after a not so fulfilling meal but yet still looking just as happy.
The 3 of us again desperately wanting to take a nice picture in front of 天安门. It was really hard to grab a space because there are tons of people. Guess who's the photographer?
天安门 looks great at night especially when its litted up and with Chairman Mao's photo.
Took this picture of 天安门 from afar. The place was sealed off as China is preparing for its National day which falls on 1 Oct.
A relief me! The most daring act of the whole trip was after hearing stories of how dirty toilets are in Beijing (especially the ones in front of the Forbidden City which i've heard it have no doors). Due to "high tide" i tried the toilet as i have no choice. High tide! The toilets in front of Forbidden City has doors now but can't lock and while searching for a cubicle, i accidentally pushed open someone else's door..What a relief..Beijing toilets have improved tremendously!
Finally, we took a photo of the hotel that we stayed for the past 7 days. Hotel was ok because it was clean and the staff could speak decent english. But the location was quite off though. It ain't near any subway station. neither is it really near 王府井步行街. Would rate it about 7 out of 10.
We took this inside the souvenir shop. The water cube also known as 水立方 structure is fantastic. The outer portion simply looks like some sort of a membrane.
We found a spot whereby there weren't as much passerbys and i was the guinea pig to see how the effect look like from this spot.
Testing a shot of the 4 of us together.
Striking a standing pose in front of the Bird's Nest (鸟巢). I realise i simply can't get enough of it.
The 4 of us trying to stay as close as possible. The Bird's Nest view at night is simply awesome. 
Sitting right in front of Bird Nest to take a picture. The weather was chilly.Day 7
After researching on Chairman Mao's memorial museum the day before, the 4 of us wanted to visit it on Day 7. Security is tight at the museum. No bags, no cameras and all visitors must bring their identification documents. Apparently, the wait to get in is about 1-2 hours but the viewing is approximately about 10 mins. This day we set off at 9am to 天安门 but when we reached we saw barricades and to our disappointment, the museum ain't open! Even Forbidden City ain't open. So alternative plan was to head to Silk Street （秀水街）for our final shopping. It was a fruitful trip. All of us at least bought an item. My victorious items include a pair of cropped jeans and a bikini.
After the hours of shopping, we headed for dinner at 王府井, 东来顺 branch. This is recommended by my mum's staff and she says its nice. Well, i can only say its a different taste all together. I wouldn't say the food ain't nice but perhaps i am just not used to it. The soup is blant and we have to eat the ingredients with a special sauce blended by the restaurant (which tastes like peanut sauce mixed with sesame oil).
The recommended restaurant by my mum's other staff which was supposedly to serve very nice steam boat..er...
our steamboat. It burns by using charcoal. Looks like some ancient time style of eating. 
plain soup and the ingredients. The "soup" that was refilled was just purely hot plain water.
The steamboat and all the left over. This meal costs us about RMB 200+.
The 3 of us, after a not so fulfilling meal but yet still looking just as happy.
The 3 of us again desperately wanting to take a nice picture in front of 天安门. It was really hard to grab a space because there are tons of people. Guess who's the photographer?
天安门 looks great at night especially when its litted up and with Chairman Mao's photo. 
Took this picture of 天安门 from afar. The place was sealed off as China is preparing for its National day which falls on 1 Oct.
A relief me! The most daring act of the whole trip was after hearing stories of how dirty toilets are in Beijing (especially the ones in front of the Forbidden City which i've heard it have no doors). Due to "high tide" i tried the toilet as i have no choice. High tide! The toilets in front of Forbidden City has doors now but can't lock and while searching for a cubicle, i accidentally pushed open someone else's door..What a relief..Beijing toilets have improved tremendously!
Finally, we took a photo of the hotel that we stayed for the past 7 days. Hotel was ok because it was clean and the staff could speak decent english. But the location was quite off though. It ain't near any subway station. neither is it really near 王府井步行街. Would rate it about 7 out of 10.Day 8
After the late night packing, chatting and sorting out our stuff, we woke up around 9 and headed for breakfast. Tried to hop on a cab but none available. So ended up walking to the porridge restaurant near 东四. My brother was so pissed that there were no more 油条 left. In fact there is, but they were reserved for the staff. ARGH!!! Well soon after breakfast, it was heading to the airport and...Home Sweet Home.
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