It is enormous and we saw new and different things than the last time there, which is great since much of the central structure is under reconstruction in preparation for the Olympics next year. It is still a popular draw, and even with the rain it was still packed. Here are some pictures:
I also discovered that there is indeed a Starbucks in the Forbidden City. They don't have a sign hanging in the window any longer, but they have a stand in the gift shop. Here is my picture with the local barista. The presence of the Starbucks has caused many issues in China recently - and part of me understands not wanting such a commercial enterprise in the middle of the Forbidden City. But, if they go would the space be replaced by a Chinese version of Starbucks with barista and coffee? If so, I don't think it matters who it is (although I believe Chinese pride would say yes, it does matter....)
Yesterday we went to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall - farther out from Beijing than Badaling, and I'm so glad we did - it was incredible! We took a cable car up to the top of the wall, which is perched on the top edge of the mountain, and then you can walk along the wall once you are up there. I walked to the base of where the stairs went up the mountain one direction, and down to the 1st tower the other direction - a huge distance - maybe 1km where it was easy walking around...
It poured almost the entire time we were up there, and we watched the fog come up, and then go down again - and it was just stunning.
in this picture you can see where I walked - all the way to teh far right corner before it starts going up the hill again - other families went all the way up!
On the way down we realized that we were riding in the Bill Clinton car, so we have a great picture of that lucky piece of travel!
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