Lean’s neverland

I wanted to write this little article for a long time. In this summer, a friend from Lboro came for a business trip. During her busy schedule, we find some time gap that allow us to visit some of the famous sites of Beijing.Before my friend came, I get some very professional suggestions from one of my friend who grew up in the centre part which is the most traditional part of Beijing. He knows whats the best to see and how to choose the route.I think his knowledge is better than a travel book.The fact proved that his choice is the best. So, I give my special thanks to him. :)

Because the time was limited and it was her first time to Beijing, so we chose to visit all those "must see" sceneries.

I think the route we took can be considered as a very good route. If you are going to come to Beijing, it’s worth to think of. (That’s also why I want to write this article to you.)

The first day, we had nearly a whole day after my friend arrived at her hotel. Out route is: take underground to Tian’an men square(another translation of the name is :heavenly peace square)—> walk through the big square and have a look at all the important buildings beside the it,which include the Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall, The Great Hall of the people and the Monument of the people’s heroes.—->walking till a place called Qian Men to visit the traditional Beijing streets and old shopping areas.—-> walking through a street which called Da Shi Lan, and all those old shops which more than hundreds years old.—> take a taxi to the Temple of Heaven and walk around in it—> Go to the most traditional restaurant to have Piking roast duck.

It was very cloudy that day, it’s not good for taking photos but it’s the best weather for walking outside and visiting places. It’s in summer but it’s not that hot on the day. Moreover, my friend did a really good job, because she can start our journey right after she arrived and without took any min to have a rest !

(Left: My friend in Tian’An Men square.               Right: Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall  )

(Left: Tian’An men tower in the night                 Right: the National Opera House)

There are some repairing work going on there, because the 60th National Day is approaching.There will be a big celebration in this square which include the parade and fireworks in the evening.

(Left: my friend standing in front of the entrance of the street.    Right: they made an bus which used in the past.—-very very very long time ago.)

This is Qian Men. It was the shopping centre for Beijinger about 20 year ago. However, after the new shopping mall has built, this area was becoming bleak. Few years ago, although the economy grows fast, more and more people start to worry about losing the old traditional places of Beijing, such as those old shopping area or Hutong(alleyway) areas,because these are the sign and very important part of Beijing’s culture.Therefore,some project of repairing and re-build of the old places started.For example of this Qian men, they re-build many fake old building next to the street, and they try to restore the place like how it look in the past.

(Left: a silk shop which more than 100 years old             Right: in the shop, this is the furniture people will put in their main foyer in the past.)

(Left: Temple of Heaven                       Right: inner look of the hall. )

This is the Temple of Heaven, it’s much bigger than you can imagine from the photo. The blus glazed tile on the top represent the sky or Heaven.This is the place where the emperor used to worship the God of Heaven.

The power of my camera is gone off when we arrived the restaurant,but I think even without the photo, I can still convince you that the food is really nice ! (OK, I use my mobile took some. Here it is.) The restraunt is Called:Quan Ju de,which is the most troditioanl restraunt to have Peking roast duck.

      

(Above: We ordered half of the duck and the chef is slicing the duck.)   

(Above: the dishes that we ordered. The red one on the left was a cold dish which called Steamed Lotus Root Stuffed with Sweet Sticky Rice. The one in the middle was: Black Peppered beef on Hot Plate in the middle. The one on the left was also a cold dish, which is sea weed. The one in the back was some green vegetable with fragrant mushroom. The juice in that glass was make of dates.

OK, it’s getting too late now. This is the trip about our Day 1, the report other two days are coming…

When we meet next time, we went to the Great Wall.