Beijing

It was through work that I got the opportunity to visit Beijing for the first time, having heard about the city from many, I finally am here! I took a few extra off days prior to commencing work in Beijing office. China is another country that has language barrier problem, however thankfully this time I am able to speak the language which have save quite a bit of my time navigating for direction.

After claiming my baggage, I immediately took a cab from the airport directly to my pre-booked hostel, as all I want at that time was to catch up with some sleep! I have never like plane ride, the pressure makes me sick.



The main road outside Leo Hostel

Thankfully I manage to take a quick nap after checking in, then up I go went explore and look for lunch!

Ate a bowl of noodle here, it was interesting...

It was drizzling non-stop since I arrived at Beijing, things around the city seems passing so slowly, I was walking around the area without a proper direction... probably still zombie.

 

At Qianmen's Starbucks



Mao's memorial museum - open daily to public from 8am to 12noon, entrance is free, however the queue will make you think whether to go in.

I find this extremely troublesome, having to scan your bag every time you enter a train station - it was one of the reason prevent me from taking the train

there are people everywhere

Guards at the entrance of the forbidden city

Horrible pollution in Beijing

Without a fixed agenda I wasn't sure what to do for the rest of the afternoon, by chance ended up at the Zhongsan Botanical garden.

the wooden sign says 'Do not enter', who actually obey to the sign?

There were plenty of beautiful tulip flower blooming at the park, I was especially attracted to this stalk as someone have left some graffiti on it! guess local here tend to develop a strong interest in doodling; first the bamboo, then this tulip flower

also bump into some who were having traditional dance practise at the park

 



This pair of canvas shoes gave me some serious blister at the end of my Beijing trip

An artist by a pond with stagnate water

One handsome kitty at the park

liking the unique texture from an old tree

Zhongsan park entrance

transport system in Beijing

A child who cried so loudly at the square attracted my attention

 

the square area is too big, cleaners are all on bike like this 

On my way back to the hostel, I detour into some of the hutongs and there was construction going on everwhere, it was dusty and hard to walk.

My dinner after about an hour walk at the hutong - this was really nasty!!

This kitty is very fat and cute

local snack

pastry with green bean paste - it was tasty, the shop was modified the day I check out from Leo Hstel



大栅栏 is the touristy area in Beijing, it is located at a very central area where you can easily get to and from various tourist spot.