We got up early as we wanted to do two sites before heading for the train station. I ate breakfast and then we headed to the subway and the Lama Temple.
We exited the station at the temple and found a sign which pointed us in the right direction. We walked for a long time, thinking we weren't going the right way when we finally found the entrance. We explored the beautiful buildings and the golden Buddhas for almost an hour.
This is the subway station!
Because we were on such a tight schedule we walked quickly back to the subway and headed to the next stop, The Summer Palace. It was a bit of a longer ride and when we exited, there was no clear direction to go so we just looked around, Another tourist stopped and asked us where to go and the three of us must have looked lost because a police officer pointed behind us and then to the left where we needed to go. We walked in and got the through ticket as we've noticed it makes more sense than buying separate tickets for each section.
I was in awe as I walked in and saw the beautiful buildings. I would love to go back in time and see what it looked like filled with the people from long ago.
We wandered for about an hour and then started going back towards where we had entered as we knew the subway station was close by. We had to be back to our hotel by 2 and so needed to leave at 1. At 12:30 we realized we were at the wrong gate and we needed to get from the East gate to the North. We walked quickly back in the direction we'd come and where a few people had pointed us towards. We climbed up a huge hill and over to the other side. By this time it was 1 and we realized we were back at the East gate! We had even found a sign for the North gate and followed it! We figured, at this point, it would be easier to walk around the outside of the huge complex than the inside. We walked quickly out and practically ran down the road. Thankfully, we found a subway sign and followed it. We bought our tickets and got on. We had to change trains twice and as we left the station, the turnstiles wouln't let us leave. We hadn't paid enough money. Ugh, we were in such a hurry. On the way back to the hotel, practically running, we tried to hire a few taxis but no one would take us. We ran into the hotel and asked for a taxi; even that was a struggle. They don't speak any English! We grabbed our bags and then we had to wait for the taxi they'd hired instead of the ones that kept driving by. The taxi driver was so friendly and got us to the Beijing station in no time. We raced out, asking people where to go, and they were thankfully so helpful. We made our way through a passport like control, security and a very limited pat down. We asked at information where to go, and then followed the ladies directions. We headed up, bought a sandwich. I was thinking we'd have some time to sit but the waiting room was full. Sarah said she thought we had to go to the platform, and sure enough the train was waiting! Phew. We got on, found our cabin and, relieved, flopped down on the bottom bench. Sarah thought we were going to miss the train. We originally planned on being at the station at 2:30, and ended up arriving at about 3:10! Our train leaves at 3:30 and you're supposed to be 40 minutes before. We got on the train 9 minutes before.
Me relaxing after finally making it on the train!
Here I sit, writing this as the smell of cigarette smoke wafts into the cabin, yuk. The family on the other side of the cabin is nice enough, though they don't speak any English. The father started snoring soon after we started puttering along. The little girl and mother lay on the top bunk listening to a Chinese show on their phone. Sarah slept. I'm grateful to be lying down and to be on this train! Here we come, Datong!
We wandered for about an hour and then started going back towards where we had entered as we knew the subway station was close by. We had to be back to our hotel by 2 and so needed to leave at 1. At 12:30 we realized we were at the wrong gate and we needed to get from the East gate to the North. We walked quickly back in the direction we'd come and where a few people had pointed us towards. We climbed up a huge hill and over to the other side. By this time it was 1 and we realized we were back at the East gate! We had even found a sign for the North gate and followed it! We figured, at this point, it would be easier to walk around the outside of the huge complex than the inside. We walked quickly out and practically ran down the road. Thankfully, we found a subway sign and followed it. We bought our tickets and got on. We had to change trains twice and as we left the station, the turnstiles wouln't let us leave. We hadn't paid enough money. Ugh, we were in such a hurry. On the way back to the hotel, practically running, we tried to hire a few taxis but no one would take us. We ran into the hotel and asked for a taxi; even that was a struggle. They don't speak any English! We grabbed our bags and then we had to wait for the taxi they'd hired instead of the ones that kept driving by. The taxi driver was so friendly and got us to the Beijing station in no time. We raced out, asking people where to go, and they were thankfully so helpful. We made our way through a passport like control, security and a very limited pat down. We asked at information where to go, and then followed the ladies directions. We headed up, bought a sandwich. I was thinking we'd have some time to sit but the waiting room was full. Sarah said she thought we had to go to the platform, and sure enough the train was waiting! Phew. We got on, found our cabin and, relieved, flopped down on the bottom bench. Sarah thought we were going to miss the train. We originally planned on being at the station at 2:30, and ended up arriving at about 3:10! Our train leaves at 3:30 and you're supposed to be 40 minutes before. We got on the train 9 minutes before.
Here I sit, writing this as the smell of cigarette smoke wafts into the cabin, yuk. The family on the other side of the cabin is nice enough, though they don't speak any English. The father started snoring soon after we started puttering along. The little girl and mother lay on the top bunk listening to a Chinese show on their phone. Sarah slept. I'm grateful to be lying down and to be on this train! Here we come, Datong!
Hilarious! Very entertaining read! Oh and photos are great!
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