Beijing Trip? Don't Get Too Cocky With Your Plan. Seriously, It *Will* Change.

[Kevin Harris]

Please heed my advice: don't overestimate your stamina, nor should you underestimate the magnitude of Beijing! Plans are often ambitious, but come the day of execution, it becomes clear that your body simply can't keep up. Plans will never outpace change – this saying couldn't be truer.

Finally catching up with posts about the delayed Beijing trip:

• Day three’s originally planned itinerary went as follows:

  • Yonghe Temple (a famous Tibetan Buddhist temple) → Wudaoying Hutong (a trendy alley with shops and cafes) → Summer Palace (a vast imperial garden with a boating plan!)

• However, my actual day three itinerary looked something like this:

  • I left at 8am feeling energized straight towards the Forbidden City (the former imperial palace).

    • As I missed the Forbidden City the previous day, I double-checked that my ticket was for that morning.
    • Result: Total embarrassment! At the checkpoint, the machine displayed an invalid ticket – only to find out that it was for the next day’s entry. (A foolish mistake twice made is proof of great stupidity!)
      • Tip: Seniors and minors (if traveling with elders or kids) may be able to purchase tickets on-site if lucky.
      • However, “middle layers” like myself had no such luck. Buy tickets online well in advance, and ensure you don’t mess up the date!

  • Faced with no other choice, we split into two groups.

  • On our way to the Imperial Ancestral Temple (now known as Labor People’s Culture Palace), which sits adjacent to Tiananmen Square, we witnessed a guards training session.

    • Wow, it was breathtaking! 🫨
    • Caution: Should you encounter such a scenario, abide by requests not to photograph or pose with them.

  • Next stop was the Temple of Heaven (where emperors would pray for good harvests).

    • We arrived around 10:30.
    • Inside were many street photographers offering photos for 15 yuan each.
    • High Alert: Refrain from agreeing to their proposed "packages"!
      • One female photographer I observed appeared competent enough.
      • What followed, however, was quite displeasing – additional fees were demanded at so-called "optimal locations", leaving one with disfigured faces on many photos. It was truly a 'meme disaster', tears welling yet no tears to shed.

  • We left The Temple of Heaven at 12:34pm.

  • Initially keen on rescheduling the afternoon, my brother then called, informing they already departed from the Forbidden City and were heading to the Summer Palace.

  • Well, time to adapt, rush toward the Summer Palace on the double!

  • We reached Summer Palace around 2 PM.

    • Weather was abysmal, smog heavy, visibility poor.
    • The entire Summer Palace seemed gray, all colors washed away.
    • Prior readings suggested entering via North Palace Gate, proceeding to Marble Boat, then taking a boat ride across Kunming Lake to reach Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
      • Sounds simple enough, right? In practice, it gets complicated.
      • Key Note: Starting from North Palace Gate means heading up the mountain first! North gate is at the back of Longevity Hill, while the front of the hill marks the entrance.
      • While descending, you will pass by a pavilion named "Landscape Pavilion of Lake and Mountain."
        • A true testament to ancient wisdom, the pavilion reveals different vistas from every angle.
      • Continuing down, you reach the world-renowned "Strolling Among Paintings" scenic area.
        • Many eager visitors take pictures in this picture-perfect spot.
        • Here too, street photographers prevail.
        • Remember: Not everyone holding a camera is a proper photographer! Some only claim to be professionals, aiming to capitalize on unsuspecting tourists.
          • We encountered one man with glasses offering service in the first floor courtyard. My brother disregarded my objection, rushed forward to negotiate prices.
          • After taking a series of photos, most turned out unusable. The photographer made no effort at posing guidance, the photos poorly exposed, a waste.
      • Upon descending "Strolling Among Paintings," a left turn takes you to the right corner of Kunming Lake – the Marble Boat.
        • Boats cost 40 yuan per person.
        • Sadly, smog severely obscured lake views.
      • We disembarked at South Lake Island, passed over Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
      • Viewed the bronze ox - believed to be Niu Lang (a mythical figure)’s avatar.
      • Few photos taken as a keepsake; departure around 4:48pm.

Phew! That’s it for now, to be continued!