Alarm went off 6.30 breakfast at 7am then on a coach trip for 7.45.
We had the same guide yo yo who was really good learnt lots about China.
There was me Carl Steve and an American chap called Craig (an airline pilot ) nice being in a small group. One fact we learnt is;
Women must be over 20 and men over 22 before they are allowed to marry.
Went to a jade factory interesting seeing how out of the stone they make ornaments and jewellery, showed us a fake bangle and a real one. Mainly jade is light green colour but can be brown or lavender, or white. I bought a bangle the first one I looked at worked out to be £500! Found one for just over £100! You wear it in your left arm as closer to your heart and over time the colour will change.
We then went to the Great Wall of China
Juyong pass. We stayed there for an hour and half so walked for 45 mins up covered 1201 steps. Took 35 minutes to walk down so 1402 steps altogether. Aching legs after! We then went for lunch in a very large Chinese restaurant conveniently located above a shop! More chance for them to sell us goods! They showed us how they decorate vases with copper then paint it then bake it. Very time consuming and all done by hand.
The Chinese are very superstitious they don't like the number 4 cause it is pronounced like the word death ! They are also really into fen chue.
For example they would have a model of a baby dragon with its mouth open and large bottom as he would eat lots but not go to the toilet : this should be placed with its mouth towards the door to bring in good luck.
After lunch we went to visit the Ming tombs where we learnt more about the emperors mausoleum of Ming dynasty. Finished off the tour by visiting a Chinese tea ceremony tried 6 different teas in tiny cups like being at a kids tea party! Back to hotel for a well earned beer. Looking forward to flying home tomorrow to see everyone especially the children.
Really glad we went on two organised tours as we saw so much and learnt lots. Defiantly good value for the money around £50 per day per person which included a yummy Chinese lunch. Mind you our tour guide yoyo gao was amazing. A lovely 29 year old girl who spoke perfect English and knowledge was outstanding ! I gave her my email and told her to visit England to stay with us and I will be her tour guide. She worked for peony tours.
Had our last meal in Beijing as we fly home tomorrow.