Beijing · 3–6 September
More Than We Expected
Beijing had more to see than we expected.
The next few days were full: the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, hutongs and an acrobatic show. For the first few days, there was a heat wave, making the outdoor sights difficult in the afternoon.
Unlike our quieter trips, where the evenings naturally gave us time to recover, Beijing never seemed to slow down, with so many sights and things to experience.
The Great Wall · 7 September
Mutianyu
Our first visit to the Great Wall was at Mutianyu. It was impressive, but also very crowded and still hot, so the experience was not as enjoyable as we had hoped.
Gubei and Simatai · 7–9 September
The Great Wall at Night
Gubei was cooler, and for a while even cold. The children had time for arts and crafts, and at night the water town was especially beautiful.
We bought claypot rice and carried it up to Simatai, then had a picnic on the Great Wall as the sun went down. We stayed into the cool evening. It was the standout experience of the trip, and one of those moments that reminded us why we travel.
Forbidden City · 10 September
Back in Beijing
Back in Beijing, the Forbidden City was crowded and very hot. Stopping for ice cream helped lift the mood and helped everyone through the heat.
Dashilar · 11 September
One Last Day
On our last full day, my wife and Sophie went for the hanfu photo shoot they had been looking forward to. George and I took his scooter bag through Dashilar, where he scooted through the market streets. It was a simple part of the day, but one of the moments I remember most.
Singapore · 12 September