Beijing

After our first few days in Hong Kong, we took a flight for Beijing. We spent 4 nights and 3 full days there and explored the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and did some shopping (of course!).

The first evening: We looked for a very authentic Peking Duck Restaurant and we found it!
The duck was good, but the thick layer of fat below the crispy skin was not so great.

Behind Ken, the chef is preparing the slices of duck.


The Peking Duck is generally rolled up in small "pancakes" and garnished with cucumbers.

Le restaurant!

Direction The Forbidden City: On our first full day in Bejing, we thought of going to The Forbidden City, however once we got to Tianamen Square (opposite); we saw this huge line up. Therefore, following the recommendation of a local, we decided to head to The Temple of Heaven build by the Emperor.

La place Tienanmen juste en face de la Cite Interdite.

Ken et une chinoise qui voulait une photo avec lui!!! Wouhouuu!;)


Paysage asiatique

Une partie du temple du paradis.

The Great Wall: On our second day in Beijing, we joined a tour to go to the Great Wall. It took us about 2h-2h30 to get there. On our way, we visited the Ming Tomb (location of the tomb of a Emperor during the Ming dynasty).
The Great Wall experience was incredible. The scenery was beautiful and it was amazing to think that this wall was built approximately 2200 years old and that we were steeping on it!

L'allee qui mene a la tombe d'un empereur de la dynastie Ming.

Les telesieges qui nous amenaient a la Grande Muraille de Chine!


Hourra! Je suis sur la Grande Muraille de Chine!!!






Admirant les magnifiques fleurs de cerisier.




The Forbidden City & Summer Palace: On our third day in Beijing, we visited The Forbidden City. We magaged to get in quite easily using the back entrance and starting our visit by the Emperor's Garden. The City is very big and there was A LOT of people. We did not stay for too long, but we crossed the whole site.
Then, we took the subway to get to the Emperor's Summer Palace. Again a very big site with a lot of people. It was nice though to waslk by the lake and enjoy the sun.

Seulement une petite partie de la Cite Interdite.


La foule

Ken et des chinoises en visite a la Cite Interdite.
Plusieurs des touristes etaient chinois.


Photo du bas: Ou est Genevieve?

Pas moyen de voir a l'interieur des batiments!

Nous!:)


Les jardins de l'empereur

Ken posant avec le palais d'ete de l'empereur tout au loin.

Une bonne biere (Tsingtao) pour finir la journee d'exploration!


Other pictures:

Une artiste chinoise ecrivant nos noms sur les deux peintures sur soie que nous lui achetons.

une rue traditionnelle chinoise