10/06/07-Beijing (Great Wall, Hutong area)
After breakfast, we visited a government-approved Jade Factory where we were given a demo that taught us about the different colors and quality of Jade. It was very educational. We were then escorted into a vast showroom to make purchases. The merchandise was of a very high quality and quite expensive. We made no purchases. There were only 2 pictures taken here. To see them: They are the first ones on this page Jade Factory.
After an hour and a half we departed Beijing by bus to explore the Great Wall, one of the seven world wonders. Our destination was where most tours go to see the Wall as it is most accessible to the city. The weather was still overcast when we got on the road that left town. Beijing is basically very flat and thus we were elated to finally see hills suddenly appear out of almost nowhere. Then, the clouds broke and we were able to see some of the Wall as we sped along. It was awesome, looking like something an artist would draw. Little did we know at that time that this was just the start of the jaw-dropping scenery on this tour.
Upon reaching the base of the wall, we were informed that 1,200 steps were between us and the top of this section. The steps were steep and significantly uneven: some a few inches tall and quite a few a good foot high. Most of them afforded enough width for an average shoe, some a lot less. Brona made it up about 100 steps and decided that the rest area and associated stores and cafes at that level made a sufficient waiting area. Dave decided to climb as far as he could. There was a hand rail on both sides that aided stability and most of us clung to as we climbed. The stairs were mobbed with folks going super carefully up and down, and progress was very slow due to older people having to stop every few steps to catch their breath. Nobody complained of the delays, however. After trudging for what appeared to be an eternity but probably less than an hour, passing through 3 or 4 watchtowers, and climbing at least 500 steps, Dave started to become fatigued and was sweating heavily. The sun had peeked through the clouds and it was becoming warm. His glasses were streaked with sweat and he noticed that there were now no handrails on the down side of the stairs. So, realizing that it would not be a piece of cake to descend, he opted to resign his quest and return. And, as he suspected, the way down was equally difficult. But, he took his time and slowly and carefully made his way down, eventually meeting up with Brona and John who were enjoying the sun and sipping coffee. Many climbers felt distress in their legs and thighs and suffered discomfort for 2 or 3 days thereafter. However, everyone in the group were inspired by the event and most of us were exhausted. To see the photos from the Great Wall area click Great Wall.
We happily and somewhat gingerly boarded the bus and went back to town for a late lunch. More fabulous food.
By mid-afternoon we arrived at Hutong. This is an old historic area (400 years old) which is protected by the Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Association. It borders a lake and is composed of commune-like housing areas in which complete families reside. The area has become a favorite tourist spot with numerous upscale bars and restaurants near the lake. Upon arriving, we were deposited into 2-person bicycle-driven rickshaws and transported around until we reached the enclave of a family and were invited in to see how they live. Each enclave has a small central courtyard surrounded by small apartment-like houses that have tiny kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms. Our hostess was very pleased to entertain us (we guessed she was receiving a nice stipend for doing this). She explained how life is for them and gave us a tour of the enclave. She answered all of our questions and pleasantly saw us off. We reentered our rickshaws and in a few minutes were dropped off along the river for a short walk, a stop at a Starbucks for coffee (the worst we had in China), and then back on the bus. To see photos from this area, click Hutong Area.
We had a “Peking Duck Dinner” at a fancy restaurant. The duck is 45 days old when it is roasted with honey, sliced, and stuffed into a flat pancake. Of course, it was accompanied by 10 other dishes. We ate it as if we had not eaten for a week. Finally and mercifully we returned to the hotel for the night. Very few if any one went out after dark; we were just too pooped.
