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I was in Beijing back in November last year. It was a group wide company trip that had about 300+ staff across all 5 agencies. I got to say, this being my first time to Beijing, I didn’t know what to expect. The weather was about 11°C during the day, and as cold as 8°C during the night.

We were there for a good 6 days but unfortunately, with it being a company trip, most of the itinerary were already preplanned with a tour guide. Which meant we didn’t have much time to explore the city on our own except during the night. By then, we were all too tired to further walk with aching feet. One advice I would give to anyone going to Beijing…prepare to walk A LOT!  Of course the highlight of the trip was The Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

These are some of the places we’ve visited during the trip. It’s not in any particular order, but because I do not want this to be a super lengthy post, I would let the pictures do more of the talking.

Temple of Heaven
According to ancient Chinese legend, Earth was represented by a square and Heaven by a circle. This place has several features of the temple complex symbolize the connection of Heaven and Earth, of circles and squares. Oh and it also sits on a hill, which mean closer to the heavens.

Lama Temple
Also known as the “Palace of Peace and Harmony Lama Temple“. I particularly like the entrance to this temple as it looks like a scene in a movie during autumn.

The entrance to the temple

Hutong
This place is actually rows and rows of bars and shops surrounding a large lake. Hutong (胡同) also apparently means “narrow road” in Mandarin. The main transportation in this area is via trishaw. We came here on our first night for drinks, and on the second time (following the tour), we went through the place on a trishaw. I got to say, I’m amazed at these trishaw riders. They are all elderly people and they can maneuver through these narrow roads at high speeds without bumping into others.

On the first night, I had this to drink…bottle told us to PARTY!

Rows of shops surrounding the lake

Pek Fui and I about go for a trishaw ride

Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
Don’t think these 2 places need any introduction, but the Forbidden City really impressed me. I’m impressed not because of the engineering feat, but because how the Chinese think in terms of security for the Emperor. Back then when you’re riding a horse or on foot, it’s nearly impossible to get through to the main palace as there are layer after layer after layer of security walls with watch towers where they can spot someone trying to get in a mile away. Good thing for the Emperor back then, aerial warfare was non existent.

Inside the Forbidden City

With Yew Fai and See Wei

The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of The World. Again, amazed and in awe that these walls were constructed without machines and only using people power. There weren’t any use of cement either as they used glutinous rice to hold the bricks together…and it’s still standing until today!

Li Shan and I @ The Great Wall of China

Wangfujing
This is basically the area where we stayed. We only had time to walk around during the night.

Here I tasted deep fried baby scorpions for the very first time. It’s not bad really. It tasted like deep fried prawns. If you think that is bad, there are other more grossed looking food. The baby scorpion were the easiest to eat.

Starfish, seahorse and baby scorpions on a stick

Donkey penis!

Fuck…don’t want to even know what this is…

Trying out deep fried baby scorpions..

The Bird’s Nest Stadium & Water Cube
There 3 buildings are all located within the same place. The Bird Nest Stadium, Water Cube (or National Aquatics Centre)and a building shaped like a dragon (Pangu Plaza). Didn’t manage to get into any of these building (no point going in either), but did manage to get some photos taken within these architecture marvels.

Group shot in front of the Bird Nest Stadium

You know I’ve heard so much about the people in Beijing (and entire PRC for that fact) being rude to tourists and not being civilized when it comes to care for public hygiene, and I got to say they are absolutely right. Once you’re there to see their mannerism, you would think people in KL are not so bad after all. Overall, the people in Beijing were not nice, the public toilets are without doors, the food is erm…horrible (or rather bland) compared to KL, and shopping there is expensive. Apart from the weather and having the company of colleagues, Beijing for me was more of an experience and an eye opener. Would I go back there again? Well, no…not unless there is a very good reason to do so.

[Click here for more pictures of Beijing]

I recently came across a dance called the Dubstep Dance. According to Wikipedia, Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in south London, England. Its overall sound has been described as “tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals”.

Don’t really know how to describe it but you should watch these 2 videos, especially the second one. Very very cool indeed!

鍾嘉欣 (Linda Chung) - I’ll Be Waiting For You