Day One in China: Ming Tomb, Jade Factory, the Great Wall, Olympic Stadiums
Today was our first full day in China! We had a great flight and
getting through customs in Beijing was a breeze. The first
"sightseeing" chance we got was a thrown-in-the-deep-end
first-hand experience with Beijing traffic. Immediately leaving the airport we
got on the "Airport Expressway", never got over 10 miles an hour
and spend about an hour and a half traveling the 20 mile distance to
dinner.
After dinner was a quick and easy check-in to the hotel and
everyone was off to bed; finally, after being awake for 26 hours!
This morning we were greeted by the largest breakfast hall you've
ever seen followed by an hour drive to the Ming Tombs, the 13 burial tombs of
the Ming Dynasty built approximately 600 year ago.
After the Ming Tombs we had a quick drive to one of the only
government-run jade factories. Here we learned about the importance of jade to
Chinese culture and got to see how many of the intricate pieces of jewelry
and figurines are made. In China jade is a common substitute for wedding rings.
In America we place rings on a woman's left ring finger, but in China it's common
for a man to buy his wife a jade bangle, symbolizing holding all five fingers
and her entire hand through life.
Many travelers purchased jade items before heading off to a
traditional cloisonne factory and lunch.
After lunch was the much anticipated trip to the Great Wall!
Several of our groups experienced different portions of the wall, but the
entire section of the wall outside of Beijing is known as the most beautiful
and scenic area in all of China. And let me tell you, the scenery is amazing
once you haul yourself up the world's most uneven and worn steps!
Check in with us tomorrow: on deck is the Summer Palace, Forbidden
City, Tiananmen Square, a hutong tour and a show highlighting the Legend of
Kung Fu!
- Kate Lufkin
Beautiful colors and intricate work are the signature of Chinese
Cloisonne.
Vases are the traditional Chinese gift to others
Climbing up the great wall with one of our
travelers - 86 years old and flying up the wall!
See the beautiful colors and intricate work are the signature of Chinese
Cloisonne
A beautiful lion from the Jade factory
