china part two
Day 3
Up,up and away to the summer palace today. Then to temple of heaven, lunch . Tiannamon square and the forbidden city.
The summer palace is not far from the hotel comparatively so didn't take too long to get there. What a complete surprise! When describing a palace I think of one building not a complete complex of buildings designed around an emporers wishes. This one has it all, a man made lake and mountain with classic buildings everywhere. Throw in a corridor that's nearly a km long overlooking the lake and its awe inspiring. Then take a boat trip over the lake to an island with a marble bridge to it. There's plenty of pictures cos I can't describe it enough.
Then to the temple of heaven.
You don't see too much as you go through a public garden which was very busy with the chinese enjoying their pastimes. You do get a point where you walk through a gateway and suddenly there it is. Just jaw dropping. It has been done up for the olympics and is truly resplendant matching the colours as it was. Loads of pictures.
Restaurant for lunch then to tiannamon square.
Chairman maos memorial was closed so we couldn't go and see him. The square itself is large but doesn't impress as much as you would think. However its the entrance to the forbidden city.
Frankly you're not ready. Even if you have seen the last emperor film. It just goes on and on. You just cannot imagine it. Imagine buckingham palace with nobs on. Its awesome . Come and visit.
At night we had a genuine peking duck meal. Just like home but sliced not shredded. Try the skin dipped in sugar. A very pleasant surprise. After a walk out and a pudding we retired looking forward to the zoo tomorrow .
Up,up and away to the summer palace today. Then to temple of heaven, lunch . Tiannamon square and the forbidden city.
The summer palace is not far from the hotel comparatively so didn't take too long to get there. What a complete surprise! When describing a palace I think of one building not a complete complex of buildings designed around an emporers wishes. This one has it all, a man made lake and mountain with classic buildings everywhere. Throw in a corridor that's nearly a km long overlooking the lake and its awe inspiring. Then take a boat trip over the lake to an island with a marble bridge to it. There's plenty of pictures cos I can't describe it enough.
Then to the temple of heaven.
You don't see too much as you go through a public garden which was very busy with the chinese enjoying their pastimes. You do get a point where you walk through a gateway and suddenly there it is. Just jaw dropping. It has been done up for the olympics and is truly resplendant matching the colours as it was. Loads of pictures.
Restaurant for lunch then to tiannamon square.
Chairman maos memorial was closed so we couldn't go and see him. The square itself is large but doesn't impress as much as you would think. However its the entrance to the forbidden city.
Frankly you're not ready. Even if you have seen the last emperor film. It just goes on and on. You just cannot imagine it. Imagine buckingham palace with nobs on. Its awesome . Come and visit.
At night we had a genuine peking duck meal. Just like home but sliced not shredded. Try the skin dipped in sugar. A very pleasant surprise. After a walk out and a pudding we retired looking forward to the zoo tomorrow .
posted by Chris Norton @ 2:46 pm
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