CHINA Christmas

I did not take many photos on this trip. It was too much fun just to look and get lost. Luckily we had a great Chinese guide always watching over us just like a dog trying to keep the sheep from running away.
There were so many opportunities for great photos but I left my Nikon home and the little Olympus is a bit slow and weak. Even though the sun was shining the air was grey with smog in both cities we visited, Beijing and Zian.

(click on the photos)

This was our plane in Helsinki just before we boarded two hours late. After sitting in the plane for four hours we finally took off at midnight.

This was in the hotel, on the high shelf above the white bathrobes.

In case of fire?

Tianamen

Forbidden City - Gugong

We saw many policemen usually by twos any many guards but only one sleeping.

Lots and lots of cars, new and fancy ones especially in central Beijing. Surprising few with dents considering the lack of rules and driver education. Not too many bicycles but many mopeds and scooter, electric ones.

Starbucks, one of them. 

We accidentally bumped into this one in the ally, looking for a vegetarian restaurant, which was gone. It was located in the block of old houses which were erased to the ground among many others in the city before and after the Olympics. Maybe this I up and coming neighborhood, to me it looked a bit scary.

THE WALL

ZIAN

City of at least five million people, old town is surrounded by ten foot high wall. You can rent a bike and ride on top of the wall all around. Outside between the river and the wall is a beautiful park. People are very actively engaged in all kinds of activity: walking backwards, using excesise equipment, TaiChi, dancing, playing cards, Mahjong and in this case drumming and singing:

The cutest old man I saw.

Christmas Eve

Santa Clause and his elves? tigers?

Terracotta Solders

Hotel bathroom in Zian. Be safe

Ritan Park in Beijing

Senior Playground, no children allowed in Ritan Park

Christmas trees around town