We started our day early with breakfast in the hotel. Our guide for the day walked into the hotel and joined us at our table. His name was Brian and spoke very good English which he had leant at school. Meeting our driver for the day the three of us jumped in the car and headed out to see the Great Wall of China.

The Beijing traffic flew pass as we weaved our way through. Brain told us some information regarding the city. For example that the ancient city wall was replaced by ring road (2). The city scape was soon replaced by hills and countryside. Villages and farms passed by as we headed into the mountains. We stopped at the foot of the mountains and left our driver to find other drivers to play poker with.

Catching the cable car to the start of wall the rain started to drip from the sky. The wall had amazing views of the valley bellow. It was in incredible condition for its age. We hiked our way with our guide Brian to get fantastic views of the wall and mountain ranges. The rain still fell and made the stone floor slippy. Talking to Brian he gave us a great tour of the wall and a insight to china and its people.

At the furthest point that we planned to walk to we started to turn back when the rain started to get stronger. By the time we got back to the cable car we all looked like drowned rats.

We drove back to the Beijing and headed near to the forbidden. We arrived in an shopping area that has survived from been flattened and replaced by high rise buildings. Taking rickshaws we made our way through the tight streets. The stores sold a mix of souvenirs and food.

We walked down a very unique street for China. Our guide explained that in China you can only own a building but not the land (that is owed by the government) and you can only own it for 70 years. This street was special as the families that lived here owned the land and buildings. Their ancestors had brought the land from a past emperor. We where allowed I to view one of the houses owned by a local artist and her family. She showed us round and told us about her work.

Finally on our tour we where taken to a pearl shop that harvest the pearls and design and make them into jewellery. Beverley brought herself a bracelet.

Back at the hotel we thanked and parted with our guide and driver. We dried of and decided to order room service. We have to get packed and ready to move on tomorrow.