Along the river west out of Beijing, we stopped at the 21st century museum to see the civilisation exhibition. It was good, but the exhibition called: Other Peoples' Snow, was an outstanding photographic exhibition of the St Bernard's Hospice in 1940-50 in Yunnan province. There were beautiful black and white photographs of Lisu people who encountered brave Catholic priests who had come to that region in the name of religion, education and sheltering the mountain.
We reached the river and followed it to the first bridge of Cixi's Summer Palace. The jade belt bridge is so high that the emperess' boat could sail underneath it before dropping her off at the pavillions. We stopped for lunch, Shanxi style dishes, and it was the best food I've tasted in China. We walked into the palace ground and wandered around admiring the colourful displays. The pavillions are yellow roofed and painted. On the northern path I found the sweetest chapel of the wisdom of the sea, which has an elegant painting of the thousand fragranced buddha alongside a relic. The views of the lake are lovely. The dragon island is out there too. When we walked down towards the crowds, the hawkers sold silly spectacles with red noses and those kiddie roll out out things. I bought a photograph of myself dressed up, and a magic trick.
The painted promenade is the longest corridor in the world. So making a walk alongside the lakeshore is a record breaker, no matter who you are. I enjoyed the wander through the purple cloud archway pass on the way back to the bikes.
The journey to the Olympic Village was a bit strenuous. But the village suddenly appeared, neat and tidy, as if someone ordered it just yesterday. We locked the bikes and then set off on foot to wander around for a while. The water cube is the most exciting building I've seen. It's so unusual, but it looks so damn simple at the same time. The best nest stadium is loftier, mightier and more spacious. The site of the Olympic Village is outstanding and completely inspiring. I wanted to go inside, but the wax works exhibition put me off. On the way back to downtown Beijing there was a storm. George came out to the Hutong and brough rain ponchos and then after a bit of indecision, we all rode back in the rain. Hurrah! Lightning and Thunder and Rain Oh My!
