Beijing

I was a little uninspired by these photographs, but I finally got round to putting them up on flickr.

Beijing is an amazing city, with so much to see. Our four day whirlwind tour of the city didn't do it justice, but we managed to tick off the major attractions so we'll have more time on our next trip! Yup, planning it already - fingers crossed we'll be able to make it for the 2008 Olympics.

I worry at how much we'll recognise of Beijing in a year's time. Huge swathes of the city are being torn up and rebuilt in all of China's glory. The main historical sights are meticulously preserved - but anything else is just swept underfoot. One of the few remaining hutongs that we manaed to visit, only survies now because it surrounds the Forbidden City.

We opted for an organised tour - which, in retrospect, was the lazy way out. The food was a little shabby and catered for the western pallette. After living out here for a half year - we know our baozi from our sweet and sour pork :)

The Forbidden City and The Great Wall really stand out as amazing experiences. Even the most apathetic of travellers could not fail to be impressed.

Another city ticked off the list :)

Oh - and never again will I comlain about the traffic on the M25!