China 2009 Day 11 & 12 - Beijing - Temple of the Earth (地坛, Dìtán) & Olympic Complex

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08 Jun 2009

Our flight to Beijing was brought forward due to flight cancellations by Air China. This was unfortunate. We were supposed to visit the Tu people's (土族) cultural village where they are renowed liquor producers. According to our guide, 3 is an important number for them. When entering a Tu house, first one will smell the sweet smell of liquor before having to drink 3 servings at the start, 3 in the middle, and 3 before leaving. Furthermore, they have a culture of not snacking with their drinks.

Departing our Hotel in Xining


On the way to the airport, our guide shows us local handiwork by the Tu people. It's made of some thread that is tightly woven together. Shades are used to create a blur effect.



Meals on board our Air China flight. Thanks to them our trip was cut short.


Arrival at our hotel in Beijing after doing some shopping



Nice and clean rooms


Dinner time at our hotel


Trying out some of the local beer

09 Jun 2009

After breakfast, we headed to the Temple of the Earth (地坛, Dìtán). Built in 1530 CE during the Ming Dynasty, it is the earthern counter-part to the more well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of Heaven (天坛, Tiāntán).

Breakfast, an interesting orange tart-like thing


The entrance to the temple


Unlike the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth consists of gardens and a small structures with a large open altar in the middle for ceremonies.


One of the building housing some old artifacts


Fu Lu Shou stone, it is said to be good to rub your palm across the words etched on this stone


Incense pots


The ceremonial altar


Fake sacrificed animals


This tiger looks cute, I'm not sure what it holds


We get to watch a mock up ceremony


Here comes the officials and right at the end, the Manchu Emperor


"Long live the Emperor!"


"Down with the Manchu invaders!"


Perhaps this is the Cabinet


You can get up close and personal with the Emperor


Visiting the loo before leaving


Next, we visited the 2008 Summer Olympic Complex. Heard that this is a very expensive hotel, shaped like a Dragon. Looks more like a Dragon Boat to me.


The swimming complex


The Bird's Nest Stadium



Some arty icons are spaced out around the complex


Panorama of the Olympic Complex . Note the huge street lamps.


A tall tower, I'm not sure what it is.

After visiting the complex, the rest of our tour group departed for their flight home. Still having another night in Beijing, we decided to visit the renowed Summer Palace after lunch. Little did we know the size of it ...

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