With a population of 23 million, enormous is the best descriptor for Beijing. Its territory encompasses 16,800 sq kilometers. The city stretches from north to south 176 K which is equivalent to the distance between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. City limits, east to west spread a full 160 K also. We have spent hours on the bus traveling to our destinations each day. The highways and city streets are in superior condition considering Beijing's climate mirrors that ...

We all rode rickshaws through a hutong neighborhood. What a fun and unexpected way to tour one of the old, old neighborhoods of Beijing. Pictured are John and Matt.

After the plant tour, Dr. Tukel reviewed assembly line operations at Beijing Hyundai with students as we travelled back into Beijing city center. Next stop is lunch. I suspect we will be eating at a Chinese restaurant!! Then on to Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world.

We visited the Beijing Hyundai production plant this morning. A joint venture (50/50) company with Hyundai/Korea, Beijing Hyundai is the sole supplier of the Hyundai motor cars in the China market. As one might imagine, the Hyundai, specifically the Sonata model, is hugely popular in Beijing. The factory appeared new as it was clean, quiet and efficient. The temperature in the factory was on the cool side because there is no climate control in China's factories!

Carli and Jenna enjoyed candied cherries and oranges on sticks purchased at a speciality shop on Qian Men Street, a pedestrian shopping street which is closed to traffic. Once we returned to our hotel, several women ventured out to a foot massage parlor. Pampering one's feet is a common practice in China's cities.