Today the smog in Beijing was so thick we could taste it, so we wore masks. All the cars are covered in a layer of golden brown dust. We went to the Ming tombs this morning, via the Jade factory, a state-run outlet which tourists are obliged to visit. It was fascinating to see jade generation balls being hand carved and learn a little about the different types of jade. At the tombs, 40 Km north of the city, the smog was still thick. There are 13 tombs spread o...

Tianamen square is huge, and very well guarded by camera shy soldiers and armed police. All bags are X-rayed and we went through airport style security metal detectors. Frank had a word with the guards and we were waved through. The smog was thick again today, we could taste the pollution and the haze is clear in our photos. The Forbidden City covers an enormous area at the heart of Beijing and it was very crowded. We were glad Frank was with us to explain what ...

We left Ros and Pete's at 8am, and were taken across Shanghai to the railway station for our train to Beijing. The high speed train cruised at 303KpH, left on the dot of 10am and rolled into Beijing South station, around 1500km away at exactly 2.55pm as promised. Frank, our guide, was waiting and whisked us off to the hotel, where we had 20 mins to check in before leaving to go to the acrobatic show. For a city which had few cars until the early eighties, it's ...