Blue Sky in Beijing!!!

It is amazing that the weather has been so cooperative. Blue sky doesn't happen all that often with all the smog that exists here. First stop was the Temple of Heaven Park (天壇) which was full of people today. The most fascinating part is the symbolism of the construction of the entire park...lot of pillars and columns were based on numerology as well as cosmotology. I have never thought that there was all these planning behind the place other than beautiful art and craft works.


Running around Temple of Heaven


Temple of Heaven


The Temple surrounded by the Echo Wall

Second stop was the Tian'anmen Square (天安門) and the Forbidden City (紫禁城). I can't believe every turn was a $10RNB fee. Many of the entry fee are places I really did not care to see, thus I skipped most of them. I just paid the main entry fee to the Forbidden City with an automatic audio guided tour. The site was magnificant, but a lot of rooms look the same and one really need an entire day to walk thru everything.


Big Pic of Mao


South Main Entrance to the Forbidden City


The Forbidden City Court Yard

One funny encounter was overhearing a Chinese tour guide trying to explain one of the Forbidden City's quarters to his travellers. Here is more or less what the conversation was like:

Tour Guide: "This quarter is where the king likes to play with his cucumbers"
Visitor: "Cucumber? What does the king do with a cucumber?"
Tour Guide: "Sex!"
Visitor: "What???"
Tour Guide: "Yes! With many, many of them!"
Visitor (laughing): "Do you mean a Concubine?"


Forbidden City's Back Gate


End of Day Guard Marching Excercise

In the evening, I went to a Wushu (武術) show: The Legend of Kungfu. At first, I thought it was an exhibition where martial artists display their wushu skills. Instead, it was actually kind of like a Cirque du Soleil. It was so stupid. Once the main character spoke, everything went downhill...the main character spoke (actually lip sync) in ENGLISH!!!! What the hell???? Then the theme song was repeated a dozen times. These Russians next to me was laughing....and so was I. Listen to me...DO NOT GO!!!!!


The Sad Legend of Kung Fu...this doesn't even look half as stupid as the actual show!

Ming Tomb and Great Wall....plus some shopping

McDonalds is everywhere....and its here in Beijing right across the street from my hotel. A very peculiar breakfast sandwich is available...the Spicy Chicken McMuffin. It is basically chicken leg meat and chipotle sauce on a muffin. It is quite good, but awfully small.


Oh My McD!! What is that Green Sundae I see??!!


Is there any construction codes in China??

First tourist stop today was a factory where cloisonné are made: China Beijing Boyite Cloisonné Factory. Cloisonné originated from China...it is multi-step enamel process used to make potteries and jewelry. At the end of the tour, there is an unavoidable gift shop, where I did manage to buy a vase for about US$100.


Cloisonné Factory Workers - Painting Division

Next stop was the Ming Tomb (明朝十三陵), where 3 of the 13 tombs (with a palace) are open to the public for tour. It is about 50km from downtown Beijing. This burial location was chosen based on Feng Shui principles. The area is surrounded by three mountains: Hu Mountain (Tiger Mountain), Lung Mountain (Dragon Mountain), and the Longevity Mountain....all are symbols of power and prosperity....which is essential for deflecting bad chi. Since it is way pass the Beijing Olympics and the weather is a bit cold, not too many tourists are around. Thus, it is not like some madhouse which is great for photos.


Ming Tomb's Chang Ling - Final Resting Place of 3rd Emperor Yongle


On top of Chang Ling overlooking the Front Courtyard


One of Ming Tomb's original beautiful stone carvings

Lunch was at a jade market, where I learned the different makes of jade as well as how to distinquish its authenticity. I wasn't in the mood to fork out couple of thousand dollars here, so a quick walkthru did the trick.

After lunch was a drive to one of the Great Wall sections: Badaling (八达岭长城). It is one of the more preserved part of the Great Wall. Many tourists tour the other two nearby sites, but this one had no more than 8 people, due to its tough terrain and hikes. However, the walls and gates are not restored, thus giving it much more historic feel instead of some tourist trap.


Schu on Top of the Great Wall - Badaling Section


End of the road for us travellers...but rules are meant to be broken (sometimes...)


Great Wall - as is without modern restoration for tourism


Section of Badaling wall that was penetrated during a civil war in Ming Dynasty by the Peasant Uprising led by Li Zicheng 李自成 (AD 1644)

I did not walk a whole lot today, but did get a good thigh excercise from climbing the Great Wall...so I am going to get a good foot massage at the hotel in preparation for tomorrow's miles walk.

Arriving in Beijing

After a hot 3-hour flight from Hong Kong to Beijing on Dragonair (hot because the airplane operators must be saving energy or something), and walking a mile or two from the subway station, I have finally arrived in Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing.


Beijing Capital International Airport - The New Terminal 3

The experience of travelling to this hotel was definitely something different. Nobody follows the "walk/don't walk" signages...people and their bicycles just cross while dodging cars and busses. Very dangerous...yet exciting!! Obviously things are all back to normal since the Beijing Olympics.

The weather here is kinda cold. I am a bit worried since I did not really pack for cold weather, but only for something similar to San Francisco. Tomorrow I will be going to the Great Wall...so hopefully layering myself will be sufficient.

Thus far, the trip has not have any spectacular photos...but starting tomorrow, things shall hopefully change, as I will be travelling to the Great Wall. I will then fulfill my duty as a Chinese man.

Strolling through the Countryside...

Today, I took a train to Fan Leng (粉嶺). This district in the northern part of Kowloon. The first place I went to is where my grandfather's remains are located, Fung Ying Seen Koon (蓬瀛仙館), a Taoist Temple. I believe I have posted pictures of this place 4 years ago. One thing different about this visit is that I have noticed there is now a gift shop!!! Hail Capitalism!!!


At the steps leading to the main temple at Fung Ying Seen Koon

Afterwards, I went to the other side of the train station to take a 14-seater bus to Lung Yuek Tau (龍躍頭) Heritage Trail. This trail consists of many villages that were started way back in the late 1700's by the Tengs. The stroll is quite far, with some very old gates and houses. Nothing really special here, except I got attacked by some fleas from local dogs. To see all the unique villages (some of which I gave up searching for because I was feeling a bit miserable), click here.


Dogs resting at an entrance to one of Lung Yuek Tau's century-old villages

At night, I dined at one of my favorite Chinese Restaurant in Hong Kong, Yunyan Szechuan Restaurant at 4/F, Miramar Shopping Centre, 132-134 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui (in case you wanna go...they have no website). It isn't cheap...but not overly expensive.


Eatin' good at Yunyan Szechuan Restaurant


I love this Shrimp with Garlic and Chili dish...the shrimp is so fresh and plump!!!

After dinner, it was shopping time once more...but at the Ladies Market in Mongkok!! Loads of super cheap merchandise and fake designer clothes and watches. Bought nothing here.

iPhone 3G SO SUCK!!!!!

Though there are some free WIFI available in Hong Kong, my iPhone cannot get on. It just kept searching and searching. I am not able to logon anywhere except for here, California Fitness....a local HK version of 24 Hour Fitness. Free WIFI station here!!!

Today, I took my friend around Hong Kong. From Hollywood Road's (香港島荷李活道) exquisite arts and craft shops and an 1845-built temple Man Mo Miu (文武廟), to Hong Kong Peak for a great view of Hong Kong harbor, to Lan Kwai Fong's (蘭桂坊) great restaurants and pubs, to taking the Hong Kong Ferry (港九小輪) across Hong Kong harbor. Lots of walking and my feet hurt.



Streets of Central, Hong Kong


Man Mo Miu...19th Century Temple in the midst of the City


View from the Peak...the Pearl of the East


Lan Kwai Fong...the place for partying

I've landed.....in MACAU!!!!

Signature Shot of Schu's Shoes...the 2008 Tour Begins!!!

When I looked out my plane window, I thought to myself...things look more rural than I remembered. Then on the overhead, the captain announced that we have landed in Macua due to one of the runway in Hong Kong International Airport was closed of a possible plane fire. We waited in Macau for 45 minutes for refueling and another hour before getting the clearance to return to Hong Kong. During the entire time, the attendants (who were probably not informed by the captain that we are landing in Macau) collected all the headphones, thus passengers were not able to at least watch movies on their screen while waiting. The air was also getting stuffy. But nonetheless, after a 2-3 hours delay, we landed in Hong Kong. Everything else went smoothly thereafter.

OK...it's time to go SHOPPING!!!!!!


Bus Stop near my home in Hong Kong


Eating at the Contemporary Chinese Restaurant, Red Ant

Five days and counting....

The time is approaching for me to embark on another pilgrimage home! This time I have borrowed my brother's SLR Nikon D70 to take some great photos of Hong Kong, Beijing, and Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket). I will attempt to update my blog along my way, but no promises....we shall see if free WIFI is readily available...

BTW....the garden below is going through its end-of-season life...kinda dismal...