Day 2, Beijing

Today we began our official 3-day "running" tour of Beijing's highlights (over 2000 years of civilization in 3 days....right).

Our guides began our day in the Black Bamboo Park, a very large and very beautiful park on the west side of the city. The park is a refuge in the middle of an otherwise very modern, dense, loud and, well, polluted city (think Central Park). It was lovely. At mid-morning, the park was full of retirees, who were practicing their favorite variety of exercise--tai chi, traditional and ballroom dancing, and fishing. There is a man-made lake, and many delightful winding paths. And bamboo, including the black variety.





Next stop on the tour was the newly completed Museum of Chinese Culture. The building itself is a work of art. We saw depictions of daily life along the silk road, the museums impressive collection of Buddha, and many other objects of historical significance. Did I mention this was a running tour?







Lunch. Lunch was had in the home of a Beijing family who live in their family's generational home in one of the few remaining hutong neighborhoods.






Our touring ended with a look inside the Imperial Temple of Heaven. This is the temple compound where the Emperor would conduct his annual worship of the higher powers above earth, to bring with the year good weather, healthy rains, and a substantial harvest. The Emperor entered from the southern, earthly, gate, bathed and made offerings before entering the northern and heavenly reaches of the compound. Quite a remarkable place.



It was a long, remarkable day. You can see the affect on Dave and I. We even managed to tire out our guides--the couple dancing with so much animation in the picture at top. Quite an accomplishment.



Tomorrow is the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Tiennaman Square (sorry, too tired to check spelling). That is if we can all haul ourselves out of bed.

We cannot believe how large Beijing is. And while we still find somethings very familiar about the city, we are also seeing sides to the city that are unique, and uniquely asian, at least to us.

Needless to say, thoughts of our daughter are never far from our minds. More tomorrow.