June 13, 2007 - Beijing
On our first day here in Beijing we experienced something which does not happen regularly, our experience in Tian An Men square. It was really out of the ordinary and even the locals were somewhat surprised that we were all herded like sheep.
We asked the receptionist here at Leo Hostel what it was all about and she just didn't know, all she knows is that it rarely occurs.
Anyway, we walked along Dazhalan jie to check out our own hutong area and we found out that at night all the lights come up and the food stall vendors begin preparing their specialties. It was an interesting sight.
This morning we signed up for a trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, about 65 kms from the city. This area of the Great Wall is less crowded compared to the one in Badaling, and the vendors selling souvenirs aren't that many. Our hostel has a van able to take up to 10 passengers (minimum of 6) to Mutianyu and back. It cost us 160 yuan per person (inclusive of entrance ticket).
The weather was just perfect for a walk up the wall, it was overcast and cool with gusty winds up on top. The drive took about 2 hours along busy roads full of vehicles early in the morning. It was interesting for us to see how the local people drive here, very much like in the Philippines. Along the way we saw about 3 minor bumper accidents, a few cars driving the wrong way, and traffic jams in smaller roads. There were so many constructions along the way too, new subdivisions popping up and a lot of commercial buildings ready to be occupied. For most of the drive the land was flat, no mountains in sight, but as soon as we turned into the smaller country road the mountain ranges seemed to just pop out from the ground in an instant.
At the entrance to the Great Wall at Mutianyu are lots of vendors waiting to sell you their stuff. They will tell you to come back after your trip up the Wall. Our driver took the 8 of us to the place we were to meet up at 1:30 p.m. then led us to the gate where we needed to pay an extra fee for the cable car ride up the mountain. Yes, they have installed cable cars and a toboggan shute for those who do not want to walk from the bottom to the Wall.
We took the cable car ride up and from there went right where the wall was shorter in length (the plan was to walk the left side up to the part where another cable car will bring us back down). It seemed like a good idea but what we didn't know was that this part was much steeper and harder to climb up and down. We walked to almost the top of this side then decided to try the other side, which turned out to be much easier because the steps were low about 3-4 inches from each other, and there were parts where it was just a flat and sloping pavement. It had a much better vantage point and the wind gusts were just wonderful.
An hour before we were to meet we took the cable car (instead of the toboggan) back down. Saw a crazy young tourist go fast down the chute, while the rest were holding on to the brakes really tight.
Back down from the Wall we had a snack at the place we were to meet our driver, ordered a 10 yuan can of coke (which was expensive!). The weather got colder and a slight drizzle began to fall. Our driver came so we got ready to leave. He spoke only chinese so this one man came with us leading us somewhere else, not to the van. We thought it was another tourist scam so we waited next to the van when the driver motioned to us to go and follow the guy. Turned out we needed to walk to the exit away from the eyes of the policemen because our driver is only licensed to have 6 tourists in his van. It really was funny that we had to catch the van nearest the exit.
The drive back didn't feel as long as going there. Rain started pelting the windshield and I just felt fortunate, once more, that the weather cooperated when we were up on the Wall, otherwise, we would have had a hard time climbing up and down the slippery steps.
Now back at the hostel we freshened up, got some late lunch (at 4 p.m., as soon as their kitchen opened), and plan to go walk along Dazhalan jie (on the other side) before retiring for the night
I should mention that in the van going to the Wall we were with an Israeli retired couple, 2 couples from Sweden and us. I sat next to the Israeli man, who taught Mathematics in Ann Arbor and Yale. We had a very nice conversation on the drive to the Wall. They have been in China for more than 2 months, staying in hostels, traveling by train and just following the footsteps of their daughters who have done this while they were in college. I admire their courage and determination and strength to be traveling here. It just shows me that traveling or backpacking isn't just reserved for the young.
On our first day here in Beijing we experienced something which does not happen regularly, our experience in Tian An Men square. It was really out of the ordinary and even the locals were somewhat surprised that we were all herded like sheep.
We asked the receptionist here at Leo Hostel what it was all about and she just didn't know, all she knows is that it rarely occurs.
Anyway, we walked along Dazhalan jie to check out our own hutong area and we found out that at night all the lights come up and the food stall vendors begin preparing their specialties. It was an interesting sight.
This morning we signed up for a trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, about 65 kms from the city. This area of the Great Wall is less crowded compared to the one in Badaling, and the vendors selling souvenirs aren't that many. Our hostel has a van able to take up to 10 passengers (minimum of 6) to Mutianyu and back. It cost us 160 yuan per person (inclusive of entrance ticket).
The weather was just perfect for a walk up the wall, it was overcast and cool with gusty winds up on top. The drive took about 2 hours along busy roads full of vehicles early in the morning. It was interesting for us to see how the local people drive here, very much like in the Philippines. Along the way we saw about 3 minor bumper accidents, a few cars driving the wrong way, and traffic jams in smaller roads. There were so many constructions along the way too, new subdivisions popping up and a lot of commercial buildings ready to be occupied. For most of the drive the land was flat, no mountains in sight, but as soon as we turned into the smaller country road the mountain ranges seemed to just pop out from the ground in an instant.
At the entrance to the Great Wall at Mutianyu are lots of vendors waiting to sell you their stuff. They will tell you to come back after your trip up the Wall. Our driver took the 8 of us to the place we were to meet up at 1:30 p.m. then led us to the gate where we needed to pay an extra fee for the cable car ride up the mountain. Yes, they have installed cable cars and a toboggan shute for those who do not want to walk from the bottom to the Wall.
We took the cable car ride up and from there went right where the wall was shorter in length (the plan was to walk the left side up to the part where another cable car will bring us back down). It seemed like a good idea but what we didn't know was that this part was much steeper and harder to climb up and down. We walked to almost the top of this side then decided to try the other side, which turned out to be much easier because the steps were low about 3-4 inches from each other, and there were parts where it was just a flat and sloping pavement. It had a much better vantage point and the wind gusts were just wonderful.
An hour before we were to meet we took the cable car (instead of the toboggan) back down. Saw a crazy young tourist go fast down the chute, while the rest were holding on to the brakes really tight.
Back down from the Wall we had a snack at the place we were to meet our driver, ordered a 10 yuan can of coke (which was expensive!). The weather got colder and a slight drizzle began to fall. Our driver came so we got ready to leave. He spoke only chinese so this one man came with us leading us somewhere else, not to the van. We thought it was another tourist scam so we waited next to the van when the driver motioned to us to go and follow the guy. Turned out we needed to walk to the exit away from the eyes of the policemen because our driver is only licensed to have 6 tourists in his van. It really was funny that we had to catch the van nearest the exit.
The drive back didn't feel as long as going there. Rain started pelting the windshield and I just felt fortunate, once more, that the weather cooperated when we were up on the Wall, otherwise, we would have had a hard time climbing up and down the slippery steps.
Now back at the hostel we freshened up, got some late lunch (at 4 p.m., as soon as their kitchen opened), and plan to go walk along Dazhalan jie (on the other side) before retiring for the night
I should mention that in the van going to the Wall we were with an Israeli retired couple, 2 couples from Sweden and us. I sat next to the Israeli man, who taught Mathematics in Ann Arbor and Yale. We had a very nice conversation on the drive to the Wall. They have been in China for more than 2 months, staying in hostels, traveling by train and just following the footsteps of their daughters who have done this while they were in college. I admire their courage and determination and strength to be traveling here. It just shows me that traveling or backpacking isn't just reserved for the young.
posted by Mimi | 10:38 PM
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