Day 2:
The gem of China and the most breath-taking structure built by mankind ever..is none other but the Great Wall
There are several sections of the wall which can be visited from Beijing...the famous ones being the Badaling section and the Juyongguan Pass...
The Wall at Juyongguan Pass
I visited this pass..it is one of the steepest section of the wall..the climb is really tiring with the sun bearing down upon you...but once you reach the top..it is just amazing...surrounded by hills with the wall running all over....really makes you wonder...how did the ancient Chinese even build this...what it must have been to be a guard on duty..protecting China from the invading Mongols...Tip: The best way to get to the Wall is to sign up with a tour...the trip includes lunch and visits to a silk and jade factory...
After the wall...it was time to visit the Summer Palace
The Summer palace was built by Empress CiXi after the first one was burnt down during the Opium Wars...the palace is a true exhibition of the glory and rich past of China...but also a reminder of the neglect of the chinese emperors by spending huge amounts on building it instead of looking after their subjects...
Marble Boat for Empress CiXiIn the evening, I went down to Luilichang Hutong...this is the art lane in Beijing with interesting shops selling lot of unique art and memorabilia..got some very interesting posters of slogans during the Cultural Revolution...
Lulichang Hutong