Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Beijing Zoo

It was the 4th morning in Beijing.. it was also the last day of my leisure time in Beijing, gotto get to work the following day.
morning at Meishijie across Leo Hostel

met up with this very handsome husky on our way to the train station
It was an in prompt to decision that we made to visit Beijing Zoo that day, with the mision to meet the black and while giant panda! Initially Beijing Olympic Stadium was also in the plan, we changes our mind after going through the long train ride from Guomao to Zoo. Btw, train ticket in Beijing is dirt cheap, RMB1 for any destination!

doodling on bricks believe to have been drawn by school kids as part of their co-curricular

Julie and I stand looking at this giant panda for at least half hour, he's so huggable

Zoom in to read about the giant's facts


Giant brown bear - equally huggable!
visitors was feeding the bear with whatever they have, kids were throwing twisty like junk food to him, poor fella :(

Handsome Cheetah!

mind the English
In this easy afternoon, we also discover this very delicioius local snack at the zoo exit.

Julie waiting for the pancake


the look can't tell how delicious it is


Simple ingredient made fantastic bites


Our second serving of the pan cake :)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Mutianyu Greatwall!

Let me now share with you my only highlight in Beijing, well this was sadly the only touristy thing that I enjoy during this trip.

After some simple enquiring the hostel reception on how to get to Mutianyu great wall, I was told to take an express bus from 东直门 station.

My breakfast - vegetarian dumpling, this meal make me gave up on local food here, basically survived with McD for the rest of my days in Beijing
Didn't realize my bus ride from Beijing city to Huairou will take me more than 2 hours. Which by the time I arrived at Huairou, it was already mid day so I have no time to waste hence hired a private van to take me to and from Mutianyu park.

the van that I hired

As much as I wanted to hike up the great wall by foot, unfortunately since time does not permit, I in the end took the cable car up. Bought 2-way ticket, however only use it for up cos I walked down later on.


the 2.5km stretch of wall at Mutianyu





Ready for the peak!

view from the peak - only if the skies is blue!

the french boy made it too

The lady who snap this picture for me hike up to this peak everyday, with some sovenir items, hoping to make some sales everytime a tourist made it to the top.


descending the wall at the opposite side of the peak


way down by foot

beside cable car, one can also opt to take this slides down if they do not want to walk

he came welcome me at the exit of the Mutianyu great wall :)

souvenirs stall at the exit/entrance

sight in the van back out of Mutianyu park
Although a brief visit, still it was an interesting and have enjoy much of the great wall climb however don't think I would do a come back.