Tags
beijing, Chinese cuisine, Eggplant, Forbidden City, GuGong, Lavender Gardens, People's Republic of China, prc, Tian'anmen Square
A great way to start my return to China
I start off leaving from Canberra and arrive at Sydney Airport from Canberra for five weeks in the ‘Middle Kingdom’ and because this year [and last] I achieved Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer Status I take my friend Jon and I into the First Class Lounge. On our last occasion we saw a famous movie star so that was pretty cool and on previous occasions I really look forward to ordering scrambled eggs, hash browns and sourdough toast but since becoming a vegan, eggs are out so it was delicious sourdough, hash browns and avocado and…a glass of champagne!Before I leave for any overseas holiday, I do a lot of research about where I want to go and then type out a full itinerary which includes details of places to visit/who I will see/my driver [if there is one]/costs and accomodation details. My friends who travel with me love it because all details are in one document and it might include a map and a link to the place we intend to visit. However, I do always leave time for resting as that is just as important to me as sightseeing. This time was no different…a complete itinerary.We arrive in Beijing nearing midnight and I had booked an Airbnb in Sanlitun [area that is know for the location of many embassies and lots of restaurants and bars]. Our accommodation was great and the weather was amazing the next day; skies were blue [surprisingly]…but so welcome as we had great views from our apartment.Our first day and evening we went for a walk around the local area and saw some great buildings; some I had not seen before in the two years since I had been to Beijing.Our second day, I had arranged a private driver, one I used when I lived in Beijing, to pick us up to take us to the Forbidden City. Both Jon and I had been to there separately before, but I really wanted to go back and walk slowly through and see things I had not seen before. It was worth it as we arrived early and our fabulous driver Mr Mike had already booked us tickets so there was no need to line up; just arrive show our passports and in we went and as can be seen from my photo so did thousands of other visitors.But before we arrived, cars are not allowed to stop on Chang ‘an Jie [street] alongside the Forbidden City or Tian’anmen Square so we parked some distance and after going through security screening (and seeing the long line of Chinese to visit the body of Chairman Mao at his Mausoleum) we entered Tian’anmen.
Looking across Chang’an towards the Forbidden City is the iconic painting of Chairman Mao and also the People’s Liberation Army guarding the Chinese national flag (the former paramilitary flag guards transferred to the PLA in January this year, having guarded the flag since 1982).So as I said, we entered the Forbidden City and walked about a couple of hours. It is a former imperial palace; so impressive and really you could spend days there looking at the individual rooms containing jade, jewellery, wooden structures etc. Or like me, just loving walking around the ancient buildings because it has such an incredible history having taken fourteen-years to complete by over fourteen-million workers and the fact ordinary people were not allowed to enter without permission! I love hearing the provincial Chinese talking when it is their first visit to such an amazing place they thought they would never access.And one of my favourite sites is the rooftops..Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious Chinese lunch of eggplant [of course], sautéed cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, a tofu dish [that didn’t look all that good but was absolutely delicious], string beans and mushrooms and duck pancakes for Jon. And a bottle of New Zealand white wine brought by a dear Chinese friend.
What a great way to start a five week holiday in the Middle Kingdom…so until next time!!
Little Miss Traveller said:
What a splendid start to your five week holiday. I very much enjoyed reading your first post of the series Sue. Have a great time !
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Emma Cownie said:
I can’t get over just how organised you are, Sue. That itinerary is very impressive!
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Gaz said:
Magnificent photographs Sue. It sounds like you’re off to a great start.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks very much Marion.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Ha ha. Yes I am super organised Emma. My friends really do love travelling with me because of it. (Thank goodness)
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Gaz. The absence of pollution is another wonderful thing.
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BRT 2003 said:
That looks awesome x
On Sun, 9 Sep. 2018, 2:02 am Sue’s Fabulous Travels, wrote:
> SueT唐 梦 琇 posted: “A great way to start my return to China I start off > leaving from Canberra and arrive at Sydney Airport from Canberra for five > weeks in the ‘Middle Kingdom’ and because this year [and last] I achieved > Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer Status I take my friend ” >
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Emma Cownie said:
I’m not surprised!
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vinneve said:
It is good to see China through your eyes!
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sileas said:
What a nice start into 5 weeks of vacation, yay!
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Sophie said:
Oh I loved this post so much, Sue ! you schedule and make travel presentation sheet like a pro! Have fun in Jilin this coming weekend, hehe! Can track you down now! Now about your sightseeing tour, Beijing seems to have changed a lot, which is great so that you have new things to see every time you go back! I also love the rooftops of the forbidden city. Your food photos are great, your eggplant dish made me drool, oh my!!!!! Enjoyyyyyyy!!!
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Amy said:
5-week vacation, wow!! What a fabulous itinerary. I so look forward to more beautiful photos of your trip. Thank you for sharing.
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Are We Adults Yet said:
Your itinerary looks so thorough, very impressive!
—
http://www.areweadultsyet.com
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Vinneve.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It certainly was.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Sophie. Glad you are following my travels around China. (Thanks for email too).
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Amy. It’s now week two and loving my trip.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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Amy said:
Time goes fast while you travel. 🙂
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joliesattic said:
My husband is very good at researching and getting the most out of any trip, even the simplest ones, he’ll find interesting things to visit. It looks like fun!!!
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Marta said:
Have a nice trip, Sue! BTW it seems Beijing has been having blue skies since last year or so! The government is serious about reducing pollution! Well, at least in BJ…
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Good to hear. I love the planning part of my trips.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you and I think so Marta. The skies were good for quite a few days.
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twobrownfeet said:
Wow! I met a Chinese girl from Xian the other day and I was talking about the Forbidden City and Great Wall of China. It’s been 3 years since we visited Beijing. Thanks for taking me back! 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hello. How lovely it brought back good memories for you. I am glad.
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Sartenada said:
Hello. Exotic photos in my eyes. Thank You.
Happy Sunday!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
How lovely. Thank you. Happy Sunday back to you.
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rachelmeetschina said:
Sounds like a great trip! I live in Beijing now and love it 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you. I hope you continue to love Beijing.
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reocochran said:
A true feast for one’s eyes! What a fantastic inclusion of the Forbidden City, Sue.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Robin. I follow you as you know but just re-read your bio page. How lovely!!!
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