Some places we go every time like Tiananmen Square. Mostly we try to score new sights. For example, this time we'll visit some new museums, the 2008 Olympic Park, and the old Legation Quarter.
As in 2004 our hotel was in the historic hutongs (alleys) near the Drum Tower, about a kilometer north of the Forbidden City. Nearby are several of the Imperial Lakes where swimming and fishing are strictly prohibited. ;-) Seriously, fishing and swimming are prohibited but it looks like a few old-timers have an exemption.
Seems that every time we visit Beijing we climb the hill in JingShan Park and are disappointed by the hazy view. But not this time; the views were spectacular! Below, a view to the north where you can see the towers of the Olympic Park.
And the view south over the back of the Forbidden City.
And as a bonus the peony gardens at JingShang were in full bloom. The peony is the National Flower.
After admiring the peonies we walked back up the hill to watch the sun set over Bei Hai.
Back in the hutongs (alleys) we walked home on the trendy Nanluogu Alley.
A trip to the Poly Art Museum in the Chaoyang District was well worth the time as it has a small, well-signed, impressive collection of ancient Chinese treasures including these gongs.
Museums make me hungry. Lunch: noodles and noodles. ;-)
After lunch, still in Chaoyang, we checked out the very photogenic Galaxy SOHO building.
Then on to the 20th century architecture in the Old Legation Quarter just off Tiananmen Square but not on our radar before this trip.
The old Beijing Railway Station, now a museum, also just off Tiananmem.
To be continued.
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