First day in Beijing

We were met at the airport last night by a driver arranged by our hotel, The Orchid. We decided to have the hotel send a car instead of taking a taxi because our hotel is in a hutong, which is a traditional neighborhood of narrow lanes and homes set behind walls. The hotel offers cell phones to guests but, so far, mine has worked well enough that I have declined their offer.

We had breakfast at the hotel and then walked past the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, both of which are big and located at the northern end of the the old part of the city. We headed for the Forbidden City but learned it is closed today, so we visited Beihai Park. The park has a lake in it that was full of peddle boats and surrounded by old temples and other buildings with the ornate roofs I always associate with Chinese design.

The high point of the park for me was the Nine Dragons Screen, which is a wall covered with ceramic dragons on both sides. After visiting the park, we ate a late lunch and are relaxing in our room. Altogether an enjoyable first day.