08 November 2008

One day Beijing Express Tour Part 1

and I am the only tour member and I am my own tour guide!

Yes! I managed to visit a few places in Beijing, of course not the Great Wall nor the Summer Palace as they are too far away from Beijing City itself and I don't have enough time as my flight out of Beijing is at 12am.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

I took the train everywhere. It's quite convenient but it was hot inside the train.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

the train map, not too complicated

First stop! The Olympic Stadium!
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
dragon shape hotel beside the stadium

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
look familiar? Yes the infamous bird nest stadium!

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
The weather was sunny but it was very dry and windy! check this out

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
portable washroom for the visitors

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
signature tourits photo taken by a stranger

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
water cube stadium

I did not go into the stadiums because..its an express tour alright! Made my way to my next destination: Temple of Heaven. This is a place specially built for the Emperor to hold praying ceremoy to Heaven.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
map of the Garden- It's a pretty huge area

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
There are many elderly relaxing,singing and playing poker there

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
animal killing pavillion- animals are offered during the praying ceremy

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿)- what a magnificient building!

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

love the colours combination

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

whats inside, can only picture at the entrance

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

engravings on the stairway

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
me

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
the side hall

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
walking to the other sites

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
beautiful contrast of colours

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
nine dragon tree

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇)-


This is similar to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest but smaller.It is surrounded by a smooth circular wall, the Echo Wall, that can transmit sounds over large distances. The Imperial Vault is connected to the Hall of Prayer by the Vermilion Steps Bridge, a 360 meter long raised walkway that slowly ascends from the Vault to the Hall of Prayer.

Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!
The interior, check out the details of the ceiling

Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!
The Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛) is the altar proper, located south of the Imperial Vault of Heaven.

Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!
getting out from The Temple of Heaven.

The temple of heaven is definitely worth going as a tourist, I've spent around two hours walking around. Entrance ticket costs 30RMB.


Part 2 coming up! Stay tuned!



2 comments:

MikeM said...

thx 4 droppin by... so u stoppin in HK from beijing? :)

Sheryl0202 said...

Hello Michael, I will be going to HK next week. It's a holiday! :)