words from the world

This time for sure, our last journey into the Chinese trains will be in first class. The night train gets to the capital from Shanghai in a little less than 12 hours and the service is equal to the price of the ticket: high. As we arrived in Beijing, we go back to the hutongs district, south from the Tiananmen square, in order to put down our backpacks. Then, we plunge into the metro station heading towards the silk market (Yongan'li station).
Several floors mix traditional souvenirs, clothes, shoes, sunglasses, jewelery and other accessories - The last stronghold of fake products in Beijing. Rayban sunglasses, Montblanc pen, Breitling watch, Diesel trousers, Ralf Lauren polo and genuine Chinese Goretex jacket; for less than 50€ and a fierce bargaining you can leave with the complete outfit. French customs will perhaps like less.
The next day, direction to the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai, for the second time but in the sun this time. (Look at the pictures in the following post clicking here).
The next day, we hop on the bus n°726 at the south of the Tiananmen square. Its terminus is located at the summer palace, a little more than one hour from here. The emperor came to look for somewhere cool beside the lake during the summer hot days. We step on a pedestrian way that surrounds the lake. Several humpbacked bridges brighten the stroll up while trees lines on both sides of the path assure a relative coolness to us in the shade of the summer oppressive heat. Our walk leads us to the Emperor's palace and to a temple on the hilltop offering us a panoramic view over the lake. Pedal boats and small electric-powered boats sail onto the peaceful waterways.



















At the end of the afternoon, and on the way back, a wandering travel agent gives us the opportunity to discover a vegetation-invaded part of the Great Wall, at 2 hours from Beijing. Here is an interesting excursion before leaving China. Rendez-vous is taken for tomorrow morning. We finally go back to our hutong we already have our habits and our favorite restaurant in.