Long time no see. I have had problems finding free WiFi or Internet. Now I am using commercial internet at my hotel in Beijing. I have been here alrady for a couple of days. So far I have done some relatively heavy sight-seeing.

Yesterday I walked from the Central Railway Station to Tianmen Square and around Forbidden City. Today I made a guided tour to the Great Wall and Summer Palace. At Kungming lake I travelled with a boat similar to one in the picture. Weather here has been rainy and foggy. Due to that I did not see anything at the Great Wall, but due to my schedule I had to climb it today.

As part of today's tour were visits to jade and silk factories I am now somewhat poorer tha I expected at this point of journey. Even I could not resist buying something nice and more or less traditional chinese. Yesterday I was also told over to buy couple of silk paintings which I hope to be able to send hope tomorrew by mail together with my Trans-Sibereian guidebook and some papers I do not need any more during the trip.

I have reseived messages from my travel agent that due to the forthcoming National day celebrations October the 1st, it is still unclear if I have a ticket to Shenzhen Tuesday night or not. Tomorrow should bring som clarity to this issue. I have to admit that I have not seen any celebration that has been as marvelusly prepared than this 60th birthday of current China. Beijing is decorated all over with national flags, beautiful flowers and other decorations.