We arrived in China and were met at 8am by our Beijing guide, Emma. We learned that the Asian-Pacific Economic Corporation was meeting in Beijing. This major conference included the Presidents of China, the United States, Russia, and about 15 other countries. To put their best foot forward, the Chinese had closed government offices and major factories during the conference. As a result, the traffic was far less than normal and there was little air pollution. The guide joked she wished APEC went all year.
The ride into Beijing took about 2 1/2 ours, and then we went about another hour north of the city to the great wall. We went to a section of the wall called Mutianyu. We rode a cable car up to the wall. It really is one of the more incredible sights we have seen. The wall was built in sections over hundreds of years, and repaired and improved at various times. It really started coming together in about 200BC. It was just amazing. Emma, our wonderful guide, is in the third photo, with the yellow coat.
After the great wall, we went for lunch at the complex at the bottom of the cable car lift; Burger King.
We drove into Beijing via a jade factory. Our guide arranged for us to attend a Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre. It actually turned out to be very good, with a lot of special effects and acrobatics. After the show, we went back to the hotel and had a great dinner at the noodle shop; more chop stick practice.
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