After landing in Beijing we got to see a completely different China than Shanghai, the roads were not so smooth, the streets less clean, the crowds even bigger and the Communist Party even more present.... and unfortunately the people less friendly (and no English).
Of course this does not change the fact that the sites are amazing, just don't fantasize on strolling the streets of Beijing in peace and quiet and have a romantic dinner on a street terrace like you would in Europe.
One of the most iconic site of Beijing is the Temple of Heaven. The complex situated in a huge park offers a nice refuge from the noise of the streets and an appropriate setting for this marvelous temple:
while at the same time offering ample space for people to do their daily exercise:
The visit of the Olympic park was a great contrast to the "old Beijing", where two of the most amazing sport venues of the 2008 Olympics are not to be missed:
- the "swiss designed" Bird's Nest:
- and the Watercube
Also part of the modern Beijing is the new National Grand Theater near Tienanmen Square:
The next day, after a quick "snack" on the way...
...we visited the now not so forbidden, but quite a city. After walking under Mao’s watchful gaze we found ourselves in a court yard, which looked more like a vast square surrounded by red walls and crowded with people. We stepped in to the Forbidden City…
The spacious Outer Court is filled with gigantic open squares, massive yet ornamented buildings that once housed the palace and official buildings. Behind the walls, the Inner Court, a vast labyrinth of inter-connected courtyards and buildings, which once served as the living quarter for the Imperial family.
Leaving the Forbidden City behind, a stroll through one of Beijing's many Hutongs allowed us an insight into the everyday life of millions of Chinese:
The contrast of "old vs. new" was again clearly visible from the Beihai-park, with Beijing's highest skyscraper and the Coal Hill Pagoda side by side (at least they look like standing side by side):
A visit to the Summer Palace brought us back to the past splendor of the Chinese Empire, offering probably the most authentic experience in Beijing:
After a very tiring day (from visiting a lot of sites, finding our way on the chaotic streets of Beijing and trying to make ourselves understandable to Chinese taxi drivers speaking no English at all), we had our well deserved dinner, the Beijing Duck (pekingi kacsa):
It was time then to say goodbye to Beijing and board our train to Xi-An from probably the biggest railway station we have ever seen:
All our pictures from Beijing
Of course this does not change the fact that the sites are amazing, just don't fantasize on strolling the streets of Beijing in peace and quiet and have a romantic dinner on a street terrace like you would in Europe.
One of the most iconic site of Beijing is the Temple of Heaven. The complex situated in a huge park offers a nice refuge from the noise of the streets and an appropriate setting for this marvelous temple:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
while at the same time offering ample space for people to do their daily exercise:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
The visit of the Olympic park was a great contrast to the "old Beijing", where two of the most amazing sport venues of the 2008 Olympics are not to be missed:
- the "swiss designed" Bird's Nest:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
- and the Watercube
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
Also part of the modern Beijing is the new National Grand Theater near Tienanmen Square:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
The next day, after a quick "snack" on the way...
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
...we visited the now not so forbidden, but quite a city. After walking under Mao’s watchful gaze we found ourselves in a court yard, which looked more like a vast square surrounded by red walls and crowded with people. We stepped in to the Forbidden City…
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
The spacious Outer Court is filled with gigantic open squares, massive yet ornamented buildings that once housed the palace and official buildings. Behind the walls, the Inner Court, a vast labyrinth of inter-connected courtyards and buildings, which once served as the living quarter for the Imperial family.
Leaving the Forbidden City behind, a stroll through one of Beijing's many Hutongs allowed us an insight into the everyday life of millions of Chinese:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
The contrast of "old vs. new" was again clearly visible from the Beihai-park, with Beijing's highest skyscraper and the Coal Hill Pagoda side by side (at least they look like standing side by side):
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
A visit to the Summer Palace brought us back to the past splendor of the Chinese Empire, offering probably the most authentic experience in Beijing:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
After a very tiring day (from visiting a lot of sites, finding our way on the chaotic streets of Beijing and trying to make ourselves understandable to Chinese taxi drivers speaking no English at all), we had our well deserved dinner, the Beijing Duck (pekingi kacsa):
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
It was time then to say goodbye to Beijing and board our train to Xi-An from probably the biggest railway station we have ever seen:
 |
| From ASIA - CHINA - Beijing |
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