Thursday

A long but interesting day started as usual with the widely varied breakfast options we've enjoyed all week. In addition to the typically western options of cereals, fruit, juices (the Hawthorn was particularly pleasant), breads, eggs, meats, as one might expect, there were of course oriental options, so rice quite naturally, dumplings, salads, veg., soup and sundry other interesting offerings. Definitely something for everyone.

Temple of Heaven - Angels?

Our day's activities began at the Temple of Heaven, a vast parkland and temple complex formerly the dominant place of worship for the Emperors. Spectacular and impressive though in different ways from a European cathedral, but no longer still in use as a place of prayer. However it wasn't the structures which left a lasting impression, but the use as a social space to which the surrounding park had been put. The elderly and retired, but far from infirm came to meet, play cards or chess (or keepy-uppy!), do Tai Chi or stretching, dance or exercise on the thoughtfully provided apparatus. A palpable sense of community surrounded the whole area.

Then a quick visit to see how freshwater pearls are cultivates before a splendid buffet lunch - the sweet dishes proving particularly popular. After lunch we visited the Houtong district to sample a little flavour of how 'old' Beijing was prior to the redevelopments ... and to get there, a short rickshaw ride (or rather the 21st century equivalent; a trikeshaw)

By the time we reached the Summer Palace, the temperature had risen, a breeze had stirred and the smog had lifted to allow us to enjoy the Emperor's summer retreat at its best. The lake and location were stunning, though it was somewhat tricky separating the modern from the original. Given that it had been sacked many times by various interlopers, what we saw would have been unlikely to have been there from the outset.

With luggage already aboard the coach it was off to the station to catch our sleeper train to Xian. To conjure a mental image, think Euston station at 5pm; it was heaving, but with Jun Li our guide for a short while longer, all went smoothly, we boarded the train , sorted our cabins and departed on time.