Outside the airport, we gather to board our buses. Our guide with a flag would soon become a familiar & comforting sign . . .






































Leaving the airport . . .

Wow -- look at that fancy gate as we exit the airport!
















Modern buildings as the sun begins to set over our first day in Beijing. It's only about 6:30, but it gets dark earlier here, I guess.

The sun goes down & the lights begin to come on.






























We've stopped for dinner, and I notice this beautiful ceiling fixture.

Rachel & Lorri at dinner.
















John, John Robert, Jerry & Terry. We decided to try some Chinese beer . . .

















And we decided to take pictures for John Robert to show his friends what a good time he had on his "family vacation" to Beijing!

During dinner, our very helpful Chinese guides introduced themselves. This is Gill (Gillian) . . .
















. . . and Phoebe. There were more Chinese guides, but these two were on Bus 1 (We're Number One!) There were so many travelers on our tour (about 75) that we had two full tour buses everywhere we went. Anyway, both these young women were delightful and shared so much information with us. Although I have to say that at times, they sounded like they were quoting well-rehearsed propaganda!

Inside the restaurant for dinner. We're amazed at how big everything is here!















Oh, hi John!
















Mike, Bev, Pat & Susan wave at Stan, who's at the top of the stairs, where we ate.

This is where we had our first dinner in Beijing. It was Cantonese & served family style.














Beijing at night . . .

Beijing -- our first night.
















This impressive building was right across the street from our hotel, but I don't know what it is. A government building, maybe?

Inside our hotel. It's very nice . . .

Beijing -- Day 2

Off we go in our comfortable tour bus. Our guide referred to these as the "Big Mac" buildings.













Layers & layers of freeways
















We saw LOTS of apartment buildings all alike . . .

This is amazing -- out the right side of the bus, we pass a skeleton of a Beijing Disneyland. Our guide tells us that building was begun, and then the city government decided it would NOT be best for it's citizens -- (too frivilous & decadent?), so after millions of dollars were spent, they simply stopped construction. All that is left is the outside of buildings!


















Wow -- our first view of some of the Great Wall. What a beautiful day for a climb!

















Landscaping taking place near the Great Wall area.

The Great Wall of China at Badaling

A few miles drive out of Beijing & we've reached the Great Wall at Badaling -- probably the most popular and easiest place to climb the wall. Look at all the big rocks here -- really looks like a desert out here. The Great Wall is the world's longest man-made structure, stretching over a formidable 3,948 miles -- roughly delineating the border between North China & Inner Mongolia. We won't be walking all of it today . . .



















Margie approaches the gate to enter.


















Up the first stairway & Pam & Jake take off the other direction -- for the more difficult climb! Ah, youth . . .














If you reached the bottom of a page, hit "Older Posts" below right to see more . . .

Gathering for our group photo.















Looking down at the road where the shops are as we approach the entrance to the Great Wall.
















Stan is very excited!















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Looking down where we started as we climb upward.
















Margie going through a doorway on the Great Wall.





















And onward & upward we go . . .

Margie & Stan in front of a Great Wall "window" -- Look where my new bag is, Sue!




















Views from "over the edge" of the Great Wall.

Great Wall as it climbs up over the mountain.

Mao Zedong once said "anyone wishing to be a hero must first climb the Wall," and for many Chinese people, it remains very much a part of their cultural identity.

It was built between the 5th Century BC (yes, that's BC!) and the 16th Century AD.






















Margie & Stan on the Great Wall of China -- about half-way to the top. The 2008 Olympic sign is behind us. Us Japanese tourists always wear our cameras . . .

Approaching another "resting" stop -- gives you some idea of how steep it was.
































Many Chinese students here today & quite a few came over to ask me to pose with them. Guess my blonde hair caught their eye? They all spoke English & were very nice.