Experiencing the city of Beijing

Today, it was my mission to be a Beijinger! experience the city as a person who lives here!

So here are some snapshots out and about.  I walked from the Temple of Heavens to Tianemen Square, about a mile or so, through the neighborhoods.

Then I hopped on the Subway system and did two transfers.  I have to tell you, the subway here blows away any other subway system I have been on.  There are lighted system maps, in each car, that tell you the stop you are at, in red are all the stops behind you, and green are all the stops ahead of you, so easy to understand.  Plus in English and Chinese is the next stop, plus a warning if it is a transfer stop.  Very user friendly.

Plus, look how clean it is! and there is no car separation.  If there was no one on the subway cars, you could see from one end of the train, to the other.

A quick cruise around town

Today in Beijing, we got out and about.  There is alot of traffic here.  Keep in mind half the cars are always off the road due to the Olympics.  Odd license plates one day, evens the next.  But you would never know it!  I have driven in San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, LA, San Diego, even in London.....That does nothing to prepare you for this traffic.  Not five minutes in I saw my first accident. And, by the way, this wasn't even rush hour, this is 11 am traffic!

Also, notice the crazy building straight ahead.  This city has some great architecture!  Hopefully I will get to see more!  I am informed that this is a 6 star hotel, one of a handful.  What you don't really see, is on the building there are 4 large screen TV's each about 40 to 50 feet tall!

By the way, a 20 minute cab ride cost us $43 RMB . . .

which is only $7 US, what a deal

The Peoples Republic of China

Has anyone been watching the Discovery Channel's Ted Koppel four part special on China, it's growth and growing pains?

Wow, so much sacrifice in all areas of life just to make the country grow.

And have you seen this? I hope I get a chance to see some of this when I get there!



Word on the street was the bills were being snatched up and sold for 7 times the value!