Up early (alarm set for 6,30) had breakfast then went on coach trip sight seeing
First stop was summer palace. Had a really good tour guide called yoyo who explained so much about the history of China.
The emperors built the summer palace as a place to go in the summer time as Beijing can reach temperature of 40 degrees and the summer palace was built on the outskirts with shades of trees and a lake so cooler there. She explained about one of the wives of the emperor know as the dragon lady as she was so mean. Interesting story. Also the emperors could have as many mistresses as he wanted (one had 72! ) and they would use the back door of his room!
It was really picturesque and good having the tour guide to explain.
We then went to the temple of heaven. This is where food offerings were taken for the emperors. In the middle was the temple which was round it had three tiers going up each had 9 steps which is the lucky number in Chinese.
There were lots of Chinese young couples having their wedding photos taken. It is the tradition here to get people photos done before their wedding in other dresses usually red and show them at the wedding, get married in white.
Red symbols happy and yellow loyalty. All around the temple elderly people hang out! Singing, playing cards or knitting almost like a rest home but all outside. They come to meet up with friends such a good happy atmosphere.
We then went to a silk shop and they showed us how from a silk worm they made silk clothes sheets or duvet.
Then we had lunch really good Chinese one. After lunch went to a pearl shop where they showed us when pearls came from and how to tell a fake from a real one.
We then went to tiananmum square took photos.
We then went to the forbidden city and forbidden gardens couldn't believe how big it was. Running through the middle was a pavement called the central access. Leads from one building to the next and only the one person who can walk on it is the emperor.
Each door we went through had 9 rows of 9 door k*** on (9 being the lucky number)
Walked 7 miles altogether. Legs ached at the end of the day! Back to hotel for a coffee.
Met Steve at 7 in the bar for a drink then dinner