11.28.2011

Beijing Day 2 - Forbidden City and Great Wall

Today we got to see two of the most famous sights in Beijing - the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.  The Forbidden City was the home of the Emperors of China from the 1400s through the last Emperor - Pu Yi, in the early 20th Century.  It is a huge complex that was forbidden to anyone not in or serving the royal family.  We navigated the aggressive street vendors and even bought a couple things, and found a guide to take us inside.



No. 1 Son found some Red Bull, so he was happy.



Next our guide took us to a jade factory, where we learned how jade is carved.

Then we went to the Great Wall.  Wow was it steep!


The steps were very worn and quite uneven.  Climbing it was a challenge.


We all made it up to the first guard tower.


The guys went on higher.  Zander would have kept going, but it was time to get back to the van.


It was quite a day!

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update on your trip! My step daughter's cousin was adopted from China. It's neat seeing your trip and experience, reminds me of what I've heard from their uncle but like you mentioned in the email, sounds like their prices have gone up.

    Take care,
    Brian

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  2. Cool pictures, how is the water? Do you have to buy and drink only bottled water?

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  3. Awesome stuff! What a great experience for you and your family. I've been on Perry's marketing list for a long time and always enjoyed his products/content. I think it's great that you're about to bring your daughter back home to be raised by a loving family. May God pour His blessings on you and your family.

    Dave
    La Grange, IL

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  4. Looks like a great trip! Good luck with your daughter Zoe. My kids attended the Chinese American International School in San Francisco, and there were many lucky and thriving girl students who were adopted from China.

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  5. I had to laugh about your experience with cupping. My wife and I were honeymooning in Bali and both had this done...then we went swimming...felt like two pepperoni pizza's in that pool. I think the circles faded after a couple of weeks. Good times.

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  6. So nice to see the boys smiling...It seems like it was a good day (a good trip). Good luck on the rest of your journey. You are always in my prayers.

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  7. LOVING the story. Our daughter Zoe Deen Muller was born on 19-July-10; could not be far from your Zoe's birth date?? keep those updates coming!

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  8. Hi Perry!
    Thanks a lot for your generosity telling us all this. I remember when I 1982 visited Beijing, Lanchow and Zian with a big gruop of folkmucisians-/dancers. Then it was not as today! No skyskrapers, no highways oh no...!
    And the politics - Well, better but...
    Nice to see you at The Wall... Brings back memories! Good luck and thanks even for your your coaching etc. /Hans in Stockholm

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  9. FYI: I'm stalking your blog. Like a crazy woman. :)
    Holly

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  10. I just had flashbacks to my trip to Morocco. All those kickbacks! I guess I can look forward to it when I get to visit China one day.

    Amazing pics..

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