Chinatown

We just got back from China two days ago and I have to say it was one of my favorite trips yet! Beijing had such a great mix of history, culture and modernism. It wasn't exactly a relaxing vacation, but hey we'll get plenty of relaxin' back in the states staying with the folks! I don't think we've ever walked so much. By the end of every day we were drained especially the day we went for the hike on the Great Wall.

This is probably one of the last posts. Only two-and-a-half weeks left and our co-teachers are already getting the paperwork and everything ready. I promise we'll post at least one more before we leave, but for now, here's China...

Jingshan Park. The hill that the temples were built on was formed from all the excess dirt they had from digging the moat around the Forbidden City. And although this is kinda creepy, the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty hanged himself in this park after Beijing was invaded.

Looking into the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park.

Inside the Forbidden City. They call it the Forbidden City because for 500 years commoners weren't allowed into the Palace.

The Gate of Heavenly Peace looking towards Tiananmen Square.

Tiananmen Square was heavily monitored. You have to go through security just to enter the square and there were about 6 cameras on every light post.

The Summer Palace where the emperors got away from the city. It was huge! We were exhausted from walking all over the palace grounds.

Azure Clouds Temple. This temple is in Fragrant Hills Park which is built into the side of a mountain outside the city. It was so nice and quiet and we really enjoyed this temple because nothing had been restored and it all seemed so original. It dates back to the Yuan Dynasty.

Sally and Lewis were in our orientation in February but we never met. During summer vacation we ran into them in the Philippines and hung out. During fall vacation, we bumped into them in Tokyo at the Sumo Tournament. On our first day in Beijing we walked down to have breakfast at the hostel and guess who we saw! We've never actually met in Korea, but this makes 3 countries where we've bumped into them!

The Jinshanling section where we started our four mile hike to the Simatai Section.

The beginning of the hike looking towards all the wall we have to climb. The first couple of towers of this section had been restored.

The end! It was such a great feeling after the hike. I would say it was one of the most memorable moments of the year.

We don't know why, but for some reason all over the city people would tie together long strings of firecrackers, light them, and just walk off. It felt like we were getting shot at every time.

Fireworks for the new year. This was like a 360 degree show. Pretty much everyone in Beijing was shooting off fireworks.

White Cloud Temple. Lonely Planet said they had a big celebration for the new year, but turns out it was of a more religious celebration. People were lined up around the block to get into the temple to burn incense, give money, pray and make wishes to Buddha.

Ditan Park's New Year Celebration. Pretty much the exact opposite of the White Cloud Temple celebration. Street food, fairway games, vendors and rides it reminded me of a mini fair.

The Temple of Heaven where they prayed for good harvest. I thought it was cool this structure is completely wooden with no nails!

798 Art District. It use to be electronics and military factory buildings that a bunch of artists converted into contemporary art galleries. My favorite is the little cat house.

Ghost Street, where we had Peking Duck on our last night. It's called Ghost Street because they use to have "Ghost Fairs" that lasted till dawn on the street. The fairs sold groceries, vegetables and fruit. The merchants' lamps made a spooky atmosphere which is where they got the name "Ghost Fair."

Okay... so probably one one or two more posts till the end. I can't believe the year is almost over!