Beijing in Photos
Published May 23, 2011
Backpacking China alone was a subject I never believed to be possible. In some ways I was being too reckless, but I feel that danger is a part of what makes life worth living. That feeling when your brain tries so hard to tell you you’re an idiot, then sighs when you do it anyway.
Until Gene said “I hope you don’t end up like 127hours later guy,” did it hit me that what I was doing most people would consider unnecessary. I didn’t read Chinese, I didn’t speak mandarin and I haven’t ever been to China before, so why not do a tour instead? I knew though, that I wanted to have that backpacking experience of deciding on a whim where to go, what to eat and who to talk to without the burden of 6am wake up calls and schedules. I expected China to be at times, dangerous. Yet in my heart I felt that a country housing a third of the world’s population must deliver first on its beauty and charm. I have faith in people and I have learned not to judge prematurely. God, it did not disappoint.
I brought a colorful guidebook, a mandarin phrasebook and my macbook air. I battled myself regarding the laptop but by today’s standards, its a lifeline. Thankfully for my first 10 days in Beijing and Xi’an i was able to find a buddy to come with so I wasn’t completely on my own. We ate such amazing food, just thinking about it is making me hungry again.
My first couple days found me in Beijing. Here are some of my favorite photos of the leg.
Security was tight everywhere in Beijing. It made going to most of the government sites burdensome but tolerable. Frankly I just got used to handing over my bag everywhere I went, so much that I stood at a security guard with my bag open for 10 seconds only to have her staring at me. Apparently she was just in training and never asked me for anything. Oops.
Summer palace was cold. The lake was for the most part frozen over, but thawing. The palace itself was closed until May, but we ran off into the forests and explored places we were never supposed to go. We secretly found the top of the palace you see in the distance to the right as a reward.
The pagoda was visible in the distance as we climbed up the palace walls, the sunset made it ever more serene. I think we stayed here to watch it for about 10 minutes without saying much of anything.
A game of birdie keep up played by people chilling at local parks. I saw this all over Beijing. The game itself isn’t much different from keep up in soccer except you have to see it when they do a blind behind the back flip kick!
At Tiananmen square, I noticed people gathered in large numbers by the park selling something. There were hundreds of people looking down at papers so my curiosity got the best of me. As I started snapping photos, I was chased away very quickly. I discovered that they were advertising their single daughters and sons for a future partner. Like personals in your local classifieds except you meet the mom and dad first. The papers would state the age, status and job of the person. Some had pictures. It was kind of sad but I’m not sure if this is the norm.
The mitanyu section of the great wall of China in its un-restored state. There is a sign before this area that says “Do not pass”. When you pass it this is what you see, the great wall for its true beauty but state of wear and tear. Can you believe there are trees growing in the middle of the great wall of China?! Neither did i!
All that remains in many stretches of this section is the desolate rock that lies in sole recognition of where the wall once was.
A reflective bridge post at the Old Summer Palace. We walked long and hard here and I stupidly brought my backpack along for the 5 hour walk. No wonder I lost 10 lb on the trip.
Stray cat sleeping along the Ruins at Old Summer Palace. Stray animals were as common as street vendors in China. I wonder who feeds them?