Beijing and environs, 22 May (No wonder we were tired!)

First, off to the Summer Palace. 76 degrees F.
The Palace is a beautiful lake site, of 500+ acres (or hectares?) with many buildings and a magnificent Buddhist Temple on the hillside.

The Temple at the Summer Palace

Folk musicians were playing what
sounded like Irish music in the gazebo by the lake.

Enroute to the Palace we drove by two top Chinese Universities.  Tsinghua, from which 50% of its graduates go abroad, and Peking University.  During our discussions we learned just how competitive it is to get into these universities.  No wonder they are such tough competitors in the world economy.

Then it was off the the Tombs of the Ming Dynasty (construction began in the early 1400's, after construction of the Forbidden City)  where we got to walk in the very footsteps of President Richard Nixon during his historic 1970's visit. This is now a World Heritage site, and it is located in the mountain foothills 40 km outside Beijing.  Thirteen emperors are buried here.

The walkway through the Ming Tomb site.

Then lunch at a large restaurant which also housed a cloisonne factory and gift shop, which we got to see.

HUTONG DISTRICT
Then back to Beijing, and a rickshaw ride to visit the Hutong district (with our animated young guide and Hutong native, Angelina).  These courtyard homes, connected by narrow alleyways, are now being protected from further demolition.  Typically several generations of a family share the lodging rooms around a small courtyard, with a shared kitchen and shared bath.  We got to visit the interior of one residence which was available for our tour.
FYI, I gave my rickshaw driver (pedaler!) an extra tip, since I am no average fare!

JADE Museum and Shop
This huge Museum and shop was an interesting visit.  We got a brief introduction to the jade industry (as we did in every "shop" visit - the pearl shop, the silk shop, the cloisonné shop, etc.).  I bought a small snake piece for granddaughter Carina, who was born in the year of the snake.

The GREAT WALL
What is there to say about the Wall?  Sharon and climbed one little stretch, probably less than a half mile long, to the first gazebo (Number 8 in their numbering I believe).  Having just hiked into and out of the United States Grand Canyon in 2011, I can attest that this short climb was very strenuous.  I was surprised!  It was steep (at least 30 degrees incline) and with often large (high rise) and often crumbling steps.   I had to stop and rest several times.

And then as I entered the 8th gazebo, I banged my head on the ceiling, to the great amusement of the others there.  So we took lots of photos together, with much good humor.  The gentleman in the green shirt was about 5 ft tall.  I am 6'5", so they were intrigued by my height (and good looks no doubt).

I bought for Sharon and I our well deserved Great Wall merit badges, engraved in a scroll of bamboo sticks.  50 Yuan each.

The Olympic Village
So on the way to dinner, we drive by the 2008 Olympic Village.
Most of these photos are from the web, since all mine were through the bus window.

The 5 olympic rings, and
lodging for athletes. 

 The National Stadium, or the "bird's nest".

My photo of the bird's nest, from the bus,
so you can see some surroundings.

The Olympics Aquatics Pool.

Dinner, and to bed!
After another lovely dinner, we returned to the hotel about 8:30pm, more than ready for a good night's rest (but some laundry first!).  We depart at 8:45am tomorrow, to fly to Xian.