Just Remembering.
I'm swamped with work, so I'll keep this short. Just a summary of my recent Beijing trip so that I won't forget. Will write more stories and helpful information in my travel blog soon. Promise. And soon means June because July to December will extremely be busy for me.
Happy memories.

We started at noon on our first day. Our first stop: The Tiananmen Square.
The place has changed a lot since the last time I visited.
I think they added a few things here for the Olympics. Like those huge tv screens in the picture.

And because the Forbidden City is just across the street north of Tiananmen Square, we went there next.
So much history here. Fascinating. And it's so grand, a day is never enough, at least for me.

This is the Donghuamen Night Food Market. They sell interesting food items here like, uhm, sheep testicles.

Live skewered scorpions, anyone?
And no, I didn't try it. I can't. And my heart broke for those poor seahorses.

That night at Wangfujing, Nikko and I bought Panda hats.
I think everyone should have at least one crazy/mad hat in their lifetime
and pose with sculptures like this. :)

Shopping is on our itinerary, of course. I have shoppers for friends. This was shopping #1. We had four.
This was at the Panjiayuan Flea Market. While I scoured for all things vintage, they shopped for *gasp* paintings.
They bought a lot.

The Beihai Park is one of the most authentically preserved imperial gardens in China.
It is huge (about 70 hectares) with charming corners and beautiful structures.

I was totally impressed with the Summer Palace. The gardens, the lake, the structures all spell magic.
I could imagine what it looked like when the Emperor and the Empress lived there.

This is the Temple of Heaven. Every color, every structure has meaning (like all their palaces and temples).
The entire entrance was lined with big roses of different colors. Just incredibly beautiful.

Of course, we did not miss the Olympic Village. I was in awe. This was my first Olympic venue visit.

We took a rickshaw to go to old streets/alleys (hutong) formed by lines of houses with courtyards.
One resident opened his home to us. Then we headed off to another shopping district.

We visited the Lama Temple. I couldn't remember how many buddhas I saw that day.
This one is the Statue of Maitreya, carved out of a single white sandalwood tree.
It is 26 meters high. A Guinness Book of Records holder.
We were not allowed to take pictures, but I did. Maitreya was too beautiful, I wasn't able to resist.
I am not going to hell for this, am I?

We watched an acrobat show, too. I've seen more impressive ones, but this was good entertainment.
A good break from all the walking, too.

And then there's the Great Wall. We went up on a two-seater cable and went down on a sled (Toboggan).
Took that picture of the Toboggan while I was on the cable. Oh, I have an unforgettable experience here. :D

Silliness at 798 Art District.
This place has many galleries, cafes, and pretty little boutiques.
When I visit Beijing again one day, I will spend more time here. Inspiring.

Here, our shopping and bargaining skills were put to the test.
Good thing, our friend Chris taught us well. :D

We ended the trip here -- another shopping district near the Tiananmen Square.
Old buildings turned into high-end boutiques. Quite charming.

14 left some love :
Ate Ai!! I am glad that you´re back safe and sound and back to blogging, too. The photos are so amazing and as usual, they´re so full of emotion. I want to go to China right away. And ohh, did u try the sheep testicles ate?heheeh. You can be a good actress ate coz the photo with the wolves looks so real..it´s like u are real scared. you nailed it kung sa ANTM comment pa.hehehe.
Super beautiful pictures Aileen... thank you for sharing and bringing us along with you... {i am still silently following your travels/blogs/photos/FB updates/etc despite my own busy schedules, that's how much i love reading your stories}.
May you bring more inspiration to everyone... Keep up the great work!!!
Hi did you go on a tour package or did you do your trip DIY? Thanks for sharing Aileen :)
Julai said...
Ate Ai!! I am glad that you´re back safe and sound and back to blogging, too. The photos are so amazing and as usual, they´re so full of emotion. I want to go to China right away. And ohh, did u try the sheep testicles ate?heheeh. You can be a good actress ate coz the photo with the wolves looks so real..it´s like u are real scared. you nailed it kung sa ANTM comment pa.hehehe.
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Hi Jul! Thank you! Do visit China someday. There's so much to see and learn there. And no, I did not try the testicles. I'm not brave enough. :D
Life+Style by C. Dacua-Ellazar Photography
Super beautiful pictures Aileen... thank you for sharing and bringing us along with you... {i am still silently following your travels/blogs/photos/FB updates/etc despite my own busy schedules, that's how much i love reading your stories}.
May you bring more inspiration to everyone... Keep up the great work!!!
. . . . .
You are very sweet, Cinds. Thank you. I also always wait for you posts over at FB and I am always amazed at how lovely your photos are. :)
The Sunset Goddess
Hi did you go on a tour package or did you do your trip DIY? Thanks for sharing Aileen :)
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DIY. We hired a guide though who was with us 90% of the time. :)
your pictures are always beautiful :)
Your photos are lovely and full of variety. I was never interested in China before, but now you have made me want to visit:)
thanks for making me remember these happy moments too.
these are the memories I want to run to, and create more of.
thanks for this post! -- E
sicilysworld said...
your pictures are always beautiful :)
. . . . .
Thank you! :)
Monisima's Life in the Philippines said...
Your photos are lovely and full of variety. I was never interested in China before, but now you have made me want to visit:)
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Thank you for your generous words! I think you'd love China. So many things to see and learn. The country is so rich in history. :)
Anonymous said...
thanks for making me remember these happy moments too.
these are the memories I want to run to, and create more of.
thanks for this post! -- E
. . . . .
Let's do this again. Cambodia! :)
I still dream of Beijing and I am so bummed to have missed the trip this summer. But someday, I wish to come here. Someday...
Makalingaw kaayo imong pictures, Ai! Makaibog pud! Now, I really want to go to Beijing!
Liza said...
I still dream of Beijing and I am so bummed to have missed the trip this summer. But someday, I wish to come here. Someday...
Makalingaw kaayo imong pictures, Ai! Makaibog pud! Now, I really want to go to Beijing!
. . . . .
You'd love Beijing, Liz, I'm sure! :) And I'm sure, too, that one day you'll go. :)
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