Photo of the Day

Day 11: The Great Wall at Jinshanling

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We spent an entire day walking atop the Great Wall in Jinshanling, a less-touristy area of the wall that was a great mix of restored wall and original wall. Some parts of this section of the Great Wall date to the 1300s.

Full of energy at the start of the day (around 9 a.m.) and jumping for joy at the prospect of a day walking the Wall.
Full of energy at the start of the day (around 9 a.m.) and jumping for joy at the prospect of a day walking the Wall.
Hiking up some of the steep steps between the different guard towers. It's easy to imagine soldiers protecting China from invaders with the intact fireplaces and lookouts.
Hiking up some of the steep steps between the different guard towers. It’s easy to imagine soldiers protecting China from invaders with the intact fireplaces and lookouts.
The area around the wall is mountainous, part of the defense strategy. The mountains also offered up greenery and beautiful mountain flowers, a nice contrast to Beijing's concrete jungle.
The area around the wall is mountainous, part of the defense strategy. The mountains also offered up greenery and beautiful mountain flowers, a nice contrast to Beijing’s concrete jungle.

  

The wall literally stretches as far as the eyes can see, disappearing into the horizon.
The wall literally stretches as far as the eyes can see, disappearing into the horizon.
The first part of the second leg of the hike has been heavily restored over the past 30 years, making it more appealing to the bus tourists from Beijing. However, after the first few towers, the Wall turns more towards its
The first part of the second leg of the hike has been heavily restored over the past 30 years, making it more appealing to the bus tourists from Beijing. However, after the first few towers, the Wall turns more towards its “ruins” state, with exposed holes in the brick and broken walkways.
Some parts of the wall have narrow elevated walkways, but with enough room to safely cross.
Some parts of the wall have narrow elevated walkways, but with enough room to safely cross.

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Day 10: Last Day in Beijing

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We spent four days in Beijing, gaining a better insight on China’s capital.  The changes taking place in China are perfectly illustrated on this shopping street near our hotel as Western brands blend with traditional shops and restaurants.

  

A tree-lined street leading to the Confucius Temple. We also found our second suprise craft brewpub in an adjacent hutong.
A tree-lined street leading to the Confucius Temple. We also found our second suprise craft brewpub in an adjacent hutong.
The gate to Guozijian Street and Confucius Temple.
The gate to Guozijian Street and Confucius Temple.
One of the many character-filled hutongs (alleyways) of Beijing.
One of the many character-filled hutongs (alleyways) of Beijing.
A local man at Gubeikou Village, our guesthouse near the Great Wall, enjoying watching his neighbors playing badminton.
A local man at Gubeikou Village, our guesthouse near the Great Wall, enjoying watching his neighbors playing badminton.

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Day 9: Chairman Mao and the Temple of Heaven

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Waiting in line to see Mao Zedong’s memorial is an event in its own right. The line zig-zagged through Tiananmen Square, around to the front of the giant mausoleum and back around to the other side again. An hour-long wait gets you less than five minutes inside where thousands of Chinese lay flowers at the feet of a statue of the Chairman before scuttling past his body laying in a preserved state of rest.

Another view of the line at Mao's mausoleum. Shortly after this picture was taken--and after 30 minutes in line--I was informed I couldn't bring my backpack or camera inside. Fortunately they let me check my bag at a nearby luggage check and re-enter the line.
Another view of the line at Mao’s mausoleum. Shortly after this picture was taken–and after 30 minutes in line–I was informed I couldn’t bring my backpack or camera inside. Fortunately they let me check my bag at a nearby luggage check and re-enter the line.
We walked around Beijing's Temple of Heaven park for about three hours. The tower in the back was used to pray for good harvest and is actually built using pillars made from Oregon fir trees.
We walked around Beijing’s Temple of Heaven park for about three hours. The tower in the back was used to pray for good harvest and is actually built using pillars made from Oregon fir trees.
The park at Temple of Heaven is popular with locals looking to practice dance, play cards or toss a frisbee. We were lucky to spot this woman among the knotted cypruss trees.
The park at Temple of Heaven is popular with locals looking to practice dance, play cards or toss a frisbee. We were lucky to spot this woman among the knotted cypruss trees.

 

A girl filled the park with giant bubbles.
A girl filled the park with giant bubbles.
   

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Day 8: Exploring Dongcheng North

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We took Beijing’s subway for the first time to Yonghegong Lama Temple where they provide free incense service for visitors. Three incense are burned at each temple for different types of prayers. The Tibetan Buddhism monastary is one of the few to survive the Cultural Revolution. 

 

We took a self-guided tour of Dongcheng's hutongs (alleyways). Many were once considered mansions for China's elite, but now they're a mix of retail and both high- and low-end residences.
We took a self-guided tour of Dongcheng’s hutongs (alleyways). Many were once considered mansions for China’s elite, but now they’re a mix of retail and both high- and low-end residences.
  

This fisherman was collecting seaweed from a small river near Maoer Hutong.
This fisherman was collecting seaweed from a small river near Maoer Hutong.
Sunset over Hoihai Park, a lively riverwalk area surrounded by bars and restaurants featuring live music.
Sunset over Hoihai Park, a lively riverwalk area surrounded by bars and restaurants featuring live music.

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Day 7: Beijing

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Our first day in Beijing, China! The golden lions guard a hall inside the sprawling Forbidden City complex.

Chairman Mao watches over us in front of the Forbidden City's outer gate.
Chairman Mao watches over us in front of the Forbidden City’s outer gate.
The Nine Dragon Screen inside the Forbidden City is one of the last of its kind in China
The Nine Dragon Screen inside the Forbidden City is one of the last of its kind in China
A young guard in Tiananmen Square gives us the side eye
A young guard in Tiananmen Square gives us the side eye

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Day 3: Jiufen Old Street

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The cobblestone alleyways of Jiufen Old Street, a gold rush town in the late1800s that is now a hot spot for tourists. The site is also said to be a major inspiration for the street scenes in the Miyazaki film "Spirited Away."

The cobblestone alleyways of Jiufen Old Street, a gold rush town in the late 1800s that is now a hot spot for tourists. The site is also said to be a major inspiration for the street scenes in the Miyazaki film “Spirited Away.”

 

Looking out toward the Pacific Ocean near the entrance to Jiufen Old Street in northeast Taiwan.
Looking out toward the Pacific Ocean near the entrance to Jiufen Old Street in northeast Taiwan.

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Day 2: Taipei’s Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial

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The monument and museum building of the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world, can be seen in the distance.

 

Baobing, the quintessential Taiwanese dessert, is made with shaved ice and a variety of toppings. This mango Baobing at Shilin Night Market had mango syrup, shaved ice with mango flavoring frozen into the ice and chunks of fresh mango fruit.
Baobing, the quintessential Taiwanese dessert, is made with shaved ice and a variety of toppings. This mango Baobing at Shilin Night Market had mango syrup, shaved ice with mango flavoring frozen into the ice and chunks of fresh mango fruit.

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