你好Beijing，我爱你！

27-28.10.11

Been so busy enjoying myself here that havent really gotten up to write anything. Here is a short recap of the highlights from the few days I’ve been here so far.

Mao money

First day we just tried to find accomodadion, which we did in a nice courtyard guesthouse. But not that nice we’d want to stay another night 🙂

Some chinese tourist group with matching hats ^^

Walked around the Ti’anmen area and dropped by a big-ass bookstore. Coming out we were stopped by a local reporter with one cameraman doing some sort of promotion for Beijing. They wanted me to say something good about Beijing for the camera. After I was told to lose the cigarette, I articulated in somewhat cheesy manner something like this: “When I come to Beijing, I instantly feel at home and that is most important thing for me.”

Didn’t even have to lie!

The next day Elise & Jasper went couch surfing and I found another hostel. Only after taking a random bus ride from the old one and ending up in Beihai park.

I wonder what they are actually digging in there for…

The Beihai park is actually the biggest (I guess) preserved park from the imperial times with some 600000 sqm! The atmosphere was quite relaxing. Not that many people as it is off season.

Nine dragon screen from Qing Dynasty (1756). Nine huge glazed, sculpted tile dragons on both sides of a 26 by 7 by 1,6 meter Marble-founded screen. Total of whoppin 635 dragons on this piece of traditional Chinese architecture.

One could rent a boat to cruise the lake if one was so inclined.

I would love to eat in your (imitation)imperial restaurant! Honesty pays!

I love to collect other peoples’ holiday photos. Just set myself next to the photographer. They are posing anyhow. And after all, this IS china, the original country of bootlegging.

Also, when i left the park and walked by the forbidden palace, I ran into two wedding shoots. The bride wears two dresses. White one for the ceremony and red one for the actual party. Love the symbolism!

Walking towards the hostel we ran by the day before (qianmen hostel), stumbled upon her. Ni hao!