Yeah! After a short night due to the "rapid drying service" in our hotel we were well rested and energized for this last half-day in Beijing! The first this that strikes you when you're in front of the Forbidden City is that it is BIG. With the biggest square in the world located in front of it (Ti'anmen square) it makes quite an impression. Furthermore, a big building in the middle of the square, the Maosoleum shows that everything really is bigger ...

Today the Great Wall visit! There are several sections that can be visited around Beijing, but they differ in the amount of restoration that has been performed and the number of people trying to sell you souvenirs. We went to Mutianyu, as it is one of the more original looking sections and isn't the big well known swarming with tourists section. Since we only had two hours on the wall (the bus-ride to get there already took some time) we decided not to do the...

So, today I woe up early (again) to transfer my luggage to the hotel from where the organised trip starts. When I arrive at the subway station, the luggage has to be checked. In most stations there is an x-ray machine available, in this one there isn't. I will never forget the disappointment on the faces of the two security officers when they see my back-pack. After a quick inspection (my laundry made up the top part of my luggage) they thought it was ok and let ...

Woke up early this morning, which appeared to be extra early due to my phone settings (which indicated that it was one hourlater than in reality). Anyway, due to this early hourthe temperature was still agreable, so I quickly took the subway and a short taxi ride to the "Summer Palace". This was the place where the emperor used to pass the summer, since it was cooler than his palace in the city due to the presence of a lake and mountain. At the palac...

So I arrived in China! Impressive trip, and the second part of the plane-ride provided me with a good opportunity to get used to the sounds of the Chinese language. Even after arrival it was still quasi-impossible to understand a little, so I was kinda worried that things might not go so easy as initially planned. The airport was huge and it was cleat that lots of work has been done in preparation for the Olympics, although there still remains a lot to be done....