I had treated my self to one of the new z trains from Xi`an to Beijing, where I had a very entertaining evening conversing with a chinese couple although I have to say I had more comfortable sleeps on the hard sleeper trains. So I was surprised then at the late arrival into the morning choas of Beijing.
My first morning was spent very frustatingly at 3 different train stations and different offices in diferent queues which always seemed to be getting longer everytime I went back. Unfortunately success did not prevail and I was still unsure about my Trans Mongolian crossing.
I was then glad to find the hostel I had booked was a great little place with a friendly crowd. Next day was spent exploring the mind boggling Forbidden City and of course Tiananemen Square, the worlds largest, and my visit had also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the riots, so the security was extremely tight with all luggage and bags being x-rayed and guards every few meters with fire extinguisher's.
As in Xi`an , the Beijing bites were fantastic,little streetside stalls ranging from savoury to sweet all for only 1-2 yuan (about 20 euro cents ) and of course the Pekng Duck was super. The silk market was nothing more than organised chaos (& daylight robbery) so I came away empty handed.
Another day began with an early start to begin a 10 km trek of the Great Wall. Although our group of 14 started out together the unrepaired parts of the wall proved a challenge too much for some and by the end we were crossing the line in 2`s& 3`s. However it was a fantastic blue sky day and the part of the wall we visited was devoid of the human hordes that flock to the parts nearer Beijing.
Beijing can`t really claim to have a sky line, apart from the suprisingly smallish CBD the most bulidings are residential, needless to say then the Birds Nest has quickly become the citys claim to fame. I was equally impressed at viewing it up close and the Water Cube also proved a worthwhile sight.
Wow ! the months have passed - I`m sure I only began planning this trip a few weeks ago ; now I find myself begining the 3rd but shorter leg of my trip. Shortly I will be hopping on the train to start my final leg home, last stop Moscow.
