My first few hours in Beijing felt like entering a vaguely post-apocalyptic world. The sun was blotted out by a thick haze of smog, the train from the airport broadcast a weirdly distorted replay of a women's indoor volleyball match, and the ramshackle alley in which I found my hostel was full of animals, garbage and electric bicycles. Fortunately this impression quickly passed and I was soon learning to make dumplings at the hostel's dumpling party that night. I spent each of the next four days visiting one of Beijing's genuinely impressive tourist attractions.
1. The Forbidden City - I spent four hours wandering around this massive palace complex listening to my audioguide while weaving in and out of hordes of toursits. I found the whole place impressive more for it's sheer enormity than any other particular aspect. Even after four hours I had barely visited half of the 'sites' contained within.
2. The 798 Art District - A former industrial park transformed into a collection of art galleries and cafes. I feel entirely unqualified to comment on the artwork, but I definitely dug the in-progress reclamation of a massive industrial facility for purposes of artfun.
3. Summer Palace - Like the Forbidden palace, but with a big lake in the middle, the world's longest corridor (pictured), and a giant paddle boat made of stone!
4. The Great Wall - Jinshalong section - My favorite site in Beijing. It felt endless, was pleasntly untouristed, and was tremendous fun to hike along. Only wish I could have spent more time there.
This last photo was taken at ice cream and/or beer o'clock. Sadly neither was available at the time.
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