Trip to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, China

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3/24/2014 Monday

Left today on a tour sponsored by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce in Thousand Oaks. We picked up Joan's high school friend,Jackie, and parked near LAX for our China Eastern flight. The flight took 13 hrs. to Shanghai where we had a 3 hr lay-over, then a 2 hour flight to Beijing. We were met by our guide, Kristy, at the airport. She spoke very good English, led us to the curb, and we were loaded on the bus and taken to a lovely hotel. It was around 9:00 pm local time and off to bed we went.

3/25/2014 Tuesday - Flying, crossed the international date line, lost a day in travel

3/26/14 Wednsday

We got an early wake-up call, and after a fabulous buffet breakfast, we were on the bus at 9 am for the first stop at the Summer Palace. We learned about the Dragon Lady, Cixi, who was a concubine but ruled as Empress after she gained control when the Emporer died. Next we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The area is huge so we walked and walked up to and through the Forbidden City which is adjacent to Tienanmen Square. The Forbidden City is named thus because the commoners were not allowed into this royal oasis. As you can see, it is full of imposing structures that were the offices, temples, and private homes of the ruling elite, with a garden as well. There were bronze statues, beautiful tile and stone work all placed according to Feng Shui. Leaving the area we had to walk by several male beggars who displayed their deformities and burns on their chests, and women carrying babies in their arms. After this we were taken by bus to a restaurant. This was an everyday pattern, eating mostly at a large round table with a revolving lazy susan where the many dishes were placed. The food was typical Chinese food with small amounts of meat, lots of vegetables, and rice. Our guide informed the servers that we were both vegan and they accommodated us well at every meal with extra veggie dishes. Lunch and dinner beverages were a choice of beer, or soda, and tea, of course.

3/27/2014 Thursday

After breakfast we were again on the bus with the first stop a jade factory. We saw men with protective gear grinding out intricate Jade objects. There were many decorative objects, as well as all kinds of jewelry to purchase. Don bought bracelets for birthday gifts. At all of the factory stores we toured, a sales person stuck close to each of us to answer questions and write up any sale. Next stop was several hours out of the city to the Badaling Great Wall. It was at a higher altitude, with cold rain and wind. The part of the wall we climbed was steep up to the highest point, a guard house, where we got some great atmospheric pictures due to the drizzle, and overcast. Joan asked if it was possible to tour a Houtong which is 100 year-old sections of town still standing so Kristy arranged this for an extra fee. It consisted of a pedicab ride (bicycle rider powering each cart with 2 passengers). He would stop while Lisa, our Houtong guide, explained the symbolism of the doorways, and the history of this old neighborhood. We were served dinner in one of the old tiny homes, that of a former chef and it was delicious. The area is so old that there was no central plumbing so the most efficient way to modernize was to put in several large public toilets scattered around the area. Only 2 of us women were brave or desperate enough to use one and it had the hole in the floor which one has to squat over, much like relieving oneself when “camping in the wilderness”, as Karen, in our group, described it. She gave us a lesson on the most efficient way to do this without peeing on oneself, or losing balance and falling over. Very helpful.

3/28/2014 Friday

We flew early to Xian, a 2 hour flight, but with check-in and check-out it was time consuming. From the airport it was about an hour ride through traffic to the hotel located inside the 600 year-old wall enclosing the city center. Most of the ancient Chinese city walls have been torn down to make room for high rises and freeways but this wall was protected and has been preserved and restored. We took a walk in search of a place to purchase a bottle of wine but had no luck after walking blocks through a crush of shoppers. Joan was happy to finally get some red wine during happy hour in the hotel bar when we got back. We had a dumpling dinner and Tang Dynasty show with traditional music, and singers, and dancers. Our fellow travelers included 3 men, so Don had company, and the entire group was delightful.

3/29/14 Saturday

gave us a sunny morning to walk on top of the City Wall with views of a group doing tai chi in a lovely green belt park on one side below us and views of a farmer's market, and dilapidated old farm on the other. There were freeways and skyscrapers beyond in the distance as far as the eye could see. Don took a long walk on the wall and it “felt great except for the smog”. He had to wear a mask to breathe easier.

We next went to see the Terra cotta Warriors and Horses. Several huge buildings had giant pits full of warriors. It was very impressive to see and to hear the story about the Chinese farmer that found them when digging a well. The government took his property away and paid him $5. Later he became famous by meeting with Bill Clinton and then got a job autographing books about the warriors so now he has an income in his old age. Today was the 40th anniversary of his discovery of the face of a buried archer, and he was there signing books when we visited the museum bookstore.

After returning to the city we went to a Muslim Mosque dating from 742 AD. It was built in the Chinese style in a wonderful garden setting. We had to walk through narrow alleyways, crowded with vendors and shoppers, and much noise to get there, but the garden itself was a lovely respite after the crowds all day. Joan prepared at home for this strenuous schedule by extra and longer walks.

3/30/2014 Sunday

This morning we visited the Big Wild Goose Pagoda on a large city square. Jenny, our guide had no accent having majored in English and tourism and had a calm, soothing manner. We visited a wonderful large history museum with marvelous old ceramics, bronze and jade. We headed out for the airport and took off for Shanghai, another 2 hour flight. David, our guide, met us, and after a long 2 hour drive to the city, we went to dinner, and then, finally, to the hotel.

3/31/2014 Monday

Up in the morning early to head out to visit the Shanghai museum and waterfront to hear some history of the region. Then to the Nanjing Road Shopping area with all the jewelry and designer label stores of every type. We also found where the locals eat, in narrow alleyways lined with food vendors cooking various dishes. Joan went into one of the stores and while Don waited outside a madam approached him showing him photos of naked women. Just then Joan exited the shop and Don said, “there's my wife”, so she quickly turned the page to show Joan watches for sale.

After lunch we visited the silk factory and then went to a tea house where a girl brewed samples of many different types of tea which was refreshing. We walked on into the Yu Garden which was beautiful with many trees and flowers in bloom, koi in the pond, and several bonsai, the only ones we saw on the tour. By this time it was evening and we took a cruise on the river to see all the changing, colorful, neon lights on the skyscrapers lining the banks. We ate a late dinner at a boat restaurant with our own private room with Western bathroom, and portholes.

4/1/2014 Tuesday

This was our last day in china. We packed our belongings and the bus took us to the Mag Lev (magnetic levitation) train station. We rode the train to the airport in only 8 minutes as we traveled at 434 kph or about 250 mph. It took the bus with all our bags about 1 hour to reach us at the airport. The guide helped us find all the proper check-in points to see us on our way back home.

The flight was 11 hours home to LAX. It took a week to catch up with the time difference but we both agree it was thoroughly enjoyable, exotic, and we are still digesting this fascinating culture.

Don and Joan

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