Just Mei: Trip to China (Day Six – 11/06/2010)-Beijing

I was really excited that morning, knowing that I would be seeing the Great Wall of China in hours’ time! Woo!!

First stop: Jade Factory

We first headed to a jade factory. There were some displays of ancient tools made from jade which were used by the late emperors in their palaces and during wars.

Here were two workers polishing the jade products.

This guy whose name I forgot, could speak really fluent English. He was giving some briefing about the history of jade and also promoting the jade jewelleries and displays that he is selling.

He also taught us how to differentiate a fake jade from a genuine one. I tried it but still, I don’t see any difference. =.= Born to be conned by people selling fake jade in the future.

It seemed like crowd is seen every where I went..

After everyone finished “shopping” in the jade factory, we headed straight to The Great Wall of China!!!! WOO WOOO!!!!

Second Stop: The Great Wall Of China!!!!!

Louis, buying us the tickets.

Louis promoting the wooden certificate stating that you had climbed the Great Wall of China. Guess how much it is? 260 Yuan which is equal to around RM130? They are really good in emptying the tourists’ pockets.

It was really misty that day, due to rain that morning. I was kinda disappointed. I was expecting clear blue sky, green mountains with grey Great Wall on them. What a perfect picture. But that morning.. It was moody grey grey grey view…

Anyway, I was still very determined to climb to the very top!

Me, getting ready to climb!!

The steps were steep. I lost count of how steps were there.

Dad and Mom didn’t follow me. They went back down after the first pit stop. I continued my way up and joined Meng Hao, Joel and Daniel later.

Trying to catch my breath after 5 minutes of walking up the stairs. =.=

Mr. Xavier and Meng Hao on the way up.

It was tiring!!!

I wonder if she was trying to prove something to her friends. Wearing a pair of heels while climbing the Great Wall? What’s going through her mind??

I bet she was thinking, “My legs are killing me! Can I just jump down from here?”

Looks like a tower where a princess will be locked inside, waiting for her prince to come and rescue her. Keke…

Meng Hao, posing with the super steep steps of tower.

Spotted this warning sign on the way up.

Left my name on the wall. My very first vandalism of my 22 years of life! Woo Woo!! Please forgive me.. :P

Uncle Goh. The fittest uncle whom I came across. He is 56 years old and he was the first one who reached the top of the wall. He met us half way while he was coming down whereas we were still trying our best to walk to the top. He then walked up to the top AGAIN from where he met us. And he reached there first AGAIN. Salute!

Meng Hao, Uncle Goh, Joel and I at the top of the Great Wall.

Some scenic shots from the top of the Great Wall.

Nothing much to see though. Misty misty ~

Meng Hao and I. Going back down.

It was really not as easy as expected when you descend from the Great Wall. My legs were shaking all the way. Haha. I don’t understand how the other 3 guys could walk so fast ahead of me. =.=

Had lunch at a busy restaurant after that.

Packed!

Stacked dishes. So much food to eat! Woo Hoo!!

Beijing Wo Tip. Yum Yum~~

Next Stop: Summer Palace

Summer Palace, a place where the late emperors stayed during their vacation. They did know how to enjoy life!

Dad and his new buddy, Uncle Goh, heading to the Summer Palace. =)

The ticket~

The entrance~

It all looked the same to me. From what I saw in the Forbidden City to Summer Palace? Not much of a difference.

It was nice though. Really relaxing.

You don’t get to see this all the time. =.= Nephew and Uncle posing in an unusual way for the camera.

Nice entrance heading to the longest corridor in the WORLD.

Again, there were tonnes of human!!

It is really long. And there are different drawings on each pillar. It was said that there is not a single drawing was repeated. I didn’t really check that out though. :P

I love the roof top of the corridor.

The design was so complicated!

The ceiling. What an art work!

We spotted this guy on the way back:

He was writing giant Chinese calligraphy on the path with a giant calligraphy pen. Amazing.

He randomly gave Dad a piece of his calligraphy work. Dad was so happy. haha..

Next Stop: Pearl Factory

We were shown how pearls are harvested.

This is a 3-year-old oyster. Oysters used for commercial pearl production need to be at least of 7 years of age.

Mini pearls for souvenirs~

They were trying to sell the pearl powder as well.

As usual, none of us bought it. Too expensive and it was super stuffy in there as they didn’t switch any air conditioners. =.=

Next stop: Olympic Stadium =)

Never imagined that I would have the chance to be there!

Why must dad look so serious in every photo?

I couldn’t contain my excitement anymore! I need to jump!

Dad and mom posing with the 7 star hotel which was constructed in such a way to resemble a dragon.

The suite costs 1,000,000 Yuan per night. Till present, only Bill Gates had stayed before. =.=

We then headed to a fancy Muslim restaurant for dinner.

The entrance.

Bright bright bright.

Upstairs.

The tables.

The food was okay. Not really nice though.

But the fruits that they served, was the only fruit that had been decorated in the whole China trip.

I appreciated it. :P

Next Stop: Wang Fu Jing Street

The last stop of the night and the trip. Wang Fu Jing Street can be considered as the time square of China. There were a lot of shopping malls over there.