Rogers Do Singapore: BEIJING

Can you say you lived in Asia for over a year if you have not visited the Great Wall? Jim and I finally decided enough was enough - and we headed off to arguably the most famous landmark in Asia.

On the day we were scheduled to travel to Beijing, we both woke up sick (of course). Thankfully, we were first ones at the medical clinic and were both on meds before our red-eye flight out. Beijing is about 6 hours away (much further than we initially thought) and the Chinese visa cost a cool $250 a person. It was all worth it in the end as Beijing may be my favorite trip so far!

To be honest, I was viewing Beijing as an obligatory trip. We HAD to go to the Great Wall. I had no idea I would fall in love the city. The weather was beautiful (smog-free - which is very rare), the food was amazing and sites were gorgeous!

The first place we visited was Tiananmen Square, where the 1989 student protests were held.

Tiananmen Square

Security Guards

Tiananmen Square is right near the Forbidden City - so we headed there next! The Disney lover inside me was most excited for this. This was the emperor's palace where Mulan defeated the Huns! The forbidden square is massive with 9,999 rooms. What Mulan conveniently left out, was that most of those rooms were for the upwards of 3,000 mistresses that the emperor had at any given moment. That would have definitely put a different spin on the movie - huh?

Entering the Forbidden City

Seriously Massive!

The detail on the building was incredible

In front of the large marble slab with gorgeous carvings

Surreal

After soaking in some history, we visited a beautiful temple on a hill to take in the sites and then wrapped up the afternoon by visiting a master calligrapher and participating in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

View of the Forbidden City from atop a hill

View of Old Beijing

Chinese Children playing hide n' seek outside the Tea Ceremony

All Set up! (And yes, a traditional Chinese Tea set is on our purchase list before we leave Asia)

Pinkies Up!

Our wonderful tea ceremony guide

We are suckers... we bought the color changing cups #consumerism

When some friends found out we were going to Beijing, they told us about a SideCar tour to the Great Wall. It was pretty pricey, but Jim and I decided why not. This day was hands down
MY FAVORITE DAY IN ASIA!

For 2 hours in the early morning sunlight, motorbikes drove Jim and I into the Beijing countryside to a secluded section of the wall. Since it was so far out of the city, we had the wall to ourselves! The only catch - we had to climb it. The tour described it as a strenuous hike - and they were not lying. My mind toggled between - will I make it and how the heck did the mongols invade this thing? We managed to push though the steep, rocky wall with the promise of a beautiful French picnic awaiting us at the top complete with 2 bottles of wine. It was literally perfect, anything I say would not do the day justice - so I will let the pictures do the talking.

Vroom Vroom! My driver was our guide from Evansville Indiana (small world)

Game on! The other two people on our tour knew Jim's parent's friends (even smaller world)

Headed to a Large French Estate Built in the CountrySide for a Bathroom Break...it's Asia... i don't ask why anymore

Flying through the local towns

Almost there.. I can see it!

Oh, we have to climb up these crumbling stairs for an hour.,

Stripping down for the hike

Struggle City

It just keeps on going..and going.. absolutely stunning!

Almost at the picnic location

Made it! Our reward - delicious French picnic and wine!

Made it!

Heading Back.

Peace.

Incredibly steep climb down.

Gorgeous.

No one but us and the wall.

Photo-Op on the wall down.

Scooting Down on our butts (seriously - that steep)

Goodbye Wall!

Our reward at the end of the wall

Time to Head Back

Jim - Popping a Wheelie
This is how this went:
Me: (Screaming) Get him down.
Guide: Don't worry. His driver is a professional street racer in China.
Um... SO NOT COMFORTING!

Nighttime, Back in Beijing City.

Another Beijing surprise - peking duck deliciousness!! We had a recommendation for a place - Da Dong to try this well-known Beijing dish. Well.. Da Dong was so good - we went back twice! Lucky for us, it was walking distance to our hotel so we were able to roll ourselves home after feasting.

Da Dong Duck!

Quack, Quack, Quack Mr. Ducksworth (Can't believe it took over a year to get in a Mighty Ducks reference)

From the Forbidden City and the Great Wall to a relaxing stroll amongst the beautiful lakes and hutongs, it was definitely a memorable Easter Weekend in China!