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Beijing, China
Today is our departure from Xi’an and arrival in Beijing. We are heading to the airport (simple bus trip – only 25 rmb from the main plaza in front of the train station for about an hour trip). Probably the most stressful time for me during any travel experience is the time I leave a place for the airport or arrive at the airport and need to make my way to my hotel. I am so much more comfortable when I have settled (the arrival portion can actually be much more complicated as usually by the time you leave a place you are somewhat more familiar with the language and culture of the country you are in – when you arrive though…it is all new). Anyway, for me…the big mistakes are most likely to happen during movement.
I did my run this morning – not the full length of the wall like I intended but perhaps ¾ of it. I woke up at 7:15 as the gate to the wall was supposed to open at 8am – and got there with plenty of time to spare to find that it was closed…locked tight *sigh*. I continued to walk around the base of the wall for at least a couple of kilometers until I found a gate that was open (the East Gate). By now, it was 8:30 and I needed to be back at the hotel by 9:30 to get ready for taking the bus to the airport. Anyway, I decided that I had to do this – so I went up the wall (40 rmb) and started running around it. I had my walking shoes only and had bought a hat the previous day (I left my running cap in Taiwan). Oh yeah, I should mention that I had already lost 100 rmb at some point from my hotel room to the hotel entrance so was a bit agitated. It gave me even more impetus to do this run given the money I had already expended on it!
I ran around the wall – very quiet and few people around except around the major gates. It was a nice experience and I could hear the noise the crowds below. Monday is a holiday in China – I believe it is a Dragonboat festival (Tuesday is a national holiday as well). But the markets never sleep I think, nor take a holiday. There was plenty of activity to be heard. I ran from the East Gate, through the South and West until I got off at the North Gate and ran outside the wall in a park that surrounds it (where it was much busier – probably because it is free!) until I came back to my hotel. The whole distance around the wall is about 13.7kms, but my run ended up only being 10km on the wall and another 2 kms from the point I got off to my hotel. Still decent though…and I am happy that I did it. My Garmin has another city to add to its list – I am not certain if I will have a chance to run while in Beijing.
We arrived at the airport and got on the plane without too much difficulty. Both of us have carry on only so it makes things a whole lot easier (if slightly more restrictive when it comes to purchases! This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as I have limited luggage space and still have a few more countries to visit on this trip). The only difficulty was that domestic flights depart from two terminals, not just one and as the exact terminal wasn’t specified on our travel documents we, of course, picked the wrong one and had to walk a bit to go to the other terminal. Xi’an’s airport seems to have some major construction going on now anyway, so this info may change by the time I ever come back here (if I do).
We arrived in Beijing and were greeted by Shangju’s friend, Yao. He drove us from the airport to the hotel (Jin Tai Hotel) which he helped arrange. He tells us that this hotel sometimes is used by government officials for their meetings and is owned by a Taiwanese group. By booking it through the Internet he was able to get a rate about half its regular cost so for the both of us it worked out to 1936 rmb for four nights (standard room). Generally, the hotel was fine – although the safe was broken (they replaced it) and no free Wi-Fi! It was also strange to find a set of condoms in the desk drawer instead of the Bible you might find in a hotel at home. There was also a book on the nightstand talking about how to prevent HIV infections. Both were initiatives of the Beijing government – it seems there is a need to increase the information output. We only stayed at the hotel for a short time before heading out for some authentic Peking duck at the GuanJude roast duck restaurant. This restaurant has been operating since 1864 (this location was one of three in the city and not the original) and is one of the most famous restaurants for Peking duck in Beijing and, arguably, the world. It was great – the food was fantastic, starting with veggies, chicken, a soup etc… and ending with the Peking duck. Just a reminder that Peking duck is eaten usually as a ‘wrap’ – they slice up the duck keeping the fatty bits and you put it with slices of cucumbers etc… and hoisin sauce (I believe) on a small wrap. If you have not tried it, you definitely should at some point. Mr. Yao picked up the tab – a surprise and very nice of him to do (especially since he had already driven us in from the airport). The question can be asked however – is the Peking duck better in Taipei or Beijing? I had it in both cities but do not ask me to answer this question!
After the meal, Mr. Yao drove us through some narrow, historic alleys (Hutongs) which have yet to be torn down in Beijing’s process of modernizing. Afterwards, he headed home and I walked with Shangju around the small lake close to our hotel (which houses a lot of bars and restaurants and its very active – I forget its exact name). Ultimately, we ended up at a small park some distance from our hotel but with a bit of elevation so I had a good view of the Forbidden City from the above (albeit in the dark). This ‘small’ park was originally an imperial park and has been in existence for 1000 yrs and only opened up in the last number of decades. It was too dark to see much, but suffice to say that it is difficult to escape history in this city although perhaps not quite as difficult as it was in Xi’an. I am looking forward to the rest of my time here…
from: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trekkergold/1/1276891643/tpod.html
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