DAY 1 and 2-
We made it to Beijing. We had a great dumpling dinner, and are now checked into the hotel and tucked into bed. The flights were seem less. Forbidden city in the morning!
It is hard to believe we were able to get so much in one day. First I have to say we had a wonderful hotel and a wonderful breakfast. Molly our guide introduced us to Xian our local city guide (you would say his name like "shin" as in the part of you leg. He was funny and knowledgable. They started us out at the largest public square in the world which is home to the Tomb of Mao, the National museum, the People's Congress and the gateway to the Forbidden City. We were able to see lots of internal tourists, marching soldiers and lots of vendors. We learned lots of history and heard some interesting stories including about the cultural revolution. It was a very interesting place and a cool experience. We walked across to the Forbidden City and the students were amazed at the size and scope of the place. We had our first introduction to the Dragon Lady- the Empress CixCix- We would learn about her love of pearls and leisure throughout the rest of the day. ( I will add more details about the Forbidden CIty when I get back and add a blog.).
After the forbidden city we took a rickshaw to a houtong and had lunch with a local family. We then headed to the Freshwater Pearl warehouse we we learned about where these pearls actually came from and had a chance to buy a couple. From shopping we went to strolling about the SUmmer Palace. Although we didn't get to take a boat we did take a hike through the woods and had a chance to model and attempt to learn some of the basics of Tia CHi.
From here we then went out for a Peking Duck dinner. We did more today than I thought was possible and we even experienced road rage-
We made it to Beijing. We had a great dumpling dinner, and are now checked into the hotel and tucked into bed. The flights were seem less. Forbidden city in the morning!
It is hard to believe we were able to get so much in one day. First I have to say we had a wonderful hotel and a wonderful breakfast. Molly our guide introduced us to Xian our local city guide (you would say his name like "shin" as in the part of you leg. He was funny and knowledgable. They started us out at the largest public square in the world which is home to the Tomb of Mao, the National museum, the People's Congress and the gateway to the Forbidden City. We were able to see lots of internal tourists, marching soldiers and lots of vendors. We learned lots of history and heard some interesting stories including about the cultural revolution. It was a very interesting place and a cool experience. We walked across to the Forbidden City and the students were amazed at the size and scope of the place. We had our first introduction to the Dragon Lady- the Empress CixCix- We would learn about her love of pearls and leisure throughout the rest of the day. ( I will add more details about the Forbidden CIty when I get back and add a blog.).
After the forbidden city we took a rickshaw to a houtong and had lunch with a local family. We then headed to the Freshwater Pearl warehouse we we learned about where these pearls actually came from and had a chance to buy a couple. From shopping we went to strolling about the SUmmer Palace. Although we didn't get to take a boat we did take a hike through the woods and had a chance to model and attempt to learn some of the basics of Tia CHi.
From here we then went out for a Peking Duck dinner. We did more today than I thought was possible and we even experienced road rage-
DAY 3
We started out early going to the Temple of Heaven- We really explored the grounds of the complex- seeing three major shrines. I will include more details about this place in the blog later but the long story short this is where the emperor prayed for a good harvest and had a direct phone line to heaven above at certain points-
Traffic slowed us down on the way to the badaling section of the wall- this is the section that Nixon visited around 72. It was raining, foggy and cold which made our climb even more enjoyable. It was an intense and fun adventure. I will include more details in the blog.
After climbing we went for a traditional tea ceremony and after tea we wenr\t to the Times Square of Beijing and found a side alley with street food of all sorts.
We visit a school in the morning and head to Xian.
We started out early going to the Temple of Heaven- We really explored the grounds of the complex- seeing three major shrines. I will include more details about this place in the blog later but the long story short this is where the emperor prayed for a good harvest and had a direct phone line to heaven above at certain points-
Traffic slowed us down on the way to the badaling section of the wall- this is the section that Nixon visited around 72. It was raining, foggy and cold which made our climb even more enjoyable. It was an intense and fun adventure. I will include more details in the blog.
After climbing we went for a traditional tea ceremony and after tea we wenr\t to the Times Square of Beijing and found a side alley with street food of all sorts.
We visit a school in the morning and head to Xian.
DAY 4
Today we visited the Whenhui Middle school. This was a great experience for students from both schools and the teachers and other adults as well. We spent a couple of fours there and had great fun- singing, dancing, ping pig, soccer, basketball (a great basket by James), a one handed cube solve by zack, and much more. The departure was sad.
We then headed to the airport and made our way to Xian. Here we experienced the art of cooking via the hot pot tradition. I learned a lot today. We were scheduled to walk and ride the city wall but we are going to do that in the morning.
Today we visited the Whenhui Middle school. This was a great experience for students from both schools and the teachers and other adults as well. We spent a couple of fours there and had great fun- singing, dancing, ping pig, soccer, basketball (a great basket by James), a one handed cube solve by zack, and much more. The departure was sad.
We then headed to the airport and made our way to Xian. Here we experienced the art of cooking via the hot pot tradition. I learned a lot today. We were scheduled to walk and ride the city wall but we are going to do that in the morning.
DAY 5
Today we got up early to travel out to see the Terra-cotta Warriors we learned about there history on the way out to the site. We got to explore for some time. It was amazing. After we had lunch and tried something new the ancient Xian hamburger. It was closer to a pulled pork sand which. We went throw a grocery and saw their fresh fish department. So fresh they could be pets. We took an ink/writing/art lesson next. Took a hour long 9 mile bike ride around the ancient city wall and finally headed to the old Muslim quarter and checked out the old markets whose history dates to the Silk Road This was an ancient trading center. After wards dinner and bed.
Today we got up early to travel out to see the Terra-cotta Warriors we learned about there history on the way out to the site. We got to explore for some time. It was amazing. After we had lunch and tried something new the ancient Xian hamburger. It was closer to a pulled pork sand which. We went throw a grocery and saw their fresh fish department. So fresh they could be pets. We took an ink/writing/art lesson next. Took a hour long 9 mile bike ride around the ancient city wall and finally headed to the old Muslim quarter and checked out the old markets whose history dates to the Silk Road This was an ancient trading center. After wards dinner and bed.
DAY 6
We left for Shanghai this morning. As we flew in we planned to take the Mag-Lev train. One of if not the fastest in the world. It reached speeds of 301 kph. We then went to the world financial center one of the tallest buildings in China and the world. We took the worlds fastest elevator to the top. Now we are getting ready for dinner and an acrobatic performance
We left for Shanghai this morning. As we flew in we planned to take the Mag-Lev train. One of if not the fastest in the world. It reached speeds of 301 kph. We then went to the world financial center one of the tallest buildings in China and the world. We took the worlds fastest elevator to the top. Now we are getting ready for dinner and an acrobatic performance
DAY 7
Great day in Shanghai- we started at Jade Buddha Temple. This is a working monastery built around a Buddha carved from a single piece of jade from Burma (Myanmar). It is amazing. Several of the students made an offering. From there we went to a silk market/factory outlet. We traveled next to the famous shopping street DanJiang. We ate lunch and shopped. We then went to the bund and saw the old colonial section and sky line. We then went to the yuan gardens and old china town. After dinner we went for a river cruise. It was a crazy busy day! On top of that Ku won!
See you Saturday night.
Great day in Shanghai- we started at Jade Buddha Temple. This is a working monastery built around a Buddha carved from a single piece of jade from Burma (Myanmar). It is amazing. Several of the students made an offering. From there we went to a silk market/factory outlet. We traveled next to the famous shopping street DanJiang. We ate lunch and shopped. We then went to the bund and saw the old colonial section and sky line. We then went to the yuan gardens and old china town. After dinner we went for a river cruise. It was a crazy busy day! On top of that Ku won!
See you Saturday night.
