UNESCO has declared the Summer Palace "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design." I can't argue with this, now that I have floated in the harmony of its gardens, bridges and palaces. Perhaps I should say "shivered" in its harmony. We are buried deep in several layers of clothing to ward off the cold, but it still seeps through some how. The palace gardens must be spectacular in the other seasons, but winter has its own beauty, even in the starkness of icy lakes and bare branches.

I can't say I am a fan of Chinese food, but that was at home. After today's lunch I have to say I love it. We had a glorious banquet, the best being the eggplant and the asparagus dishes, as well as some delicious spicy chicken and cashew nut dish.

After lunch another mad dash to the Silk Market to buy some bargains and then we finished the night with an evening at the theatre to watch an amazing acrobatic performance followed by a Mongolian restaurant meal with Mongolian entertainment.