We got up at 5:30 this morning so we could eat breakfast, check out of our beautiful hotel, and get to Tian’anmen Square before the crowds got there. It was overcast with a prediction of rain.
We were lucky to get to see Tian’anmen Square on the first day it was open to tourists since it had been closed for about three weeks. The government was preparing for the big 70th Anniversary celebration which was held yesterday there. When we arrived at about 8:00 A.M., there weren’t nearly as many people as I expected there would be. It is a huge square, the largest in Asia. We enjoyed being able to leisurely take in the sights.
As we left the square and walked toward The Forbidden City, the number of tourists noticeably increased. The buildings here were quite lavish because this was the protected residence for the emperor, his wife, concubines, and children plus servants and guards. At one time the buildings had 9,999 rooms. Most people were forbidden to enter it. As we walked out, we even crossed a moat.
Largest stone carving in the palace – 1675 meters long
Michael picked an excellent restaurant for us to enjoy our last meal in Beijing. After lunch we went to the airport, and he helped check us in. We then said our good-byes. As we hugged, he called me his American mother, so I called him my Chinese son. I felt especially honored for him to say this to me.
Our wonderful guide, Michael, at our last lunch together
Our flight to Urumqi was delayed on the Tarmac for at least an hour, and when we got into the air we had light turbulence several times. We were served a typical Chinese airline lunch of chicken and rice. I ate only half of it. The best part of it was that the temperature was hot.
Shortly before landing in Urumqi, we saw majestic snow capped mountains. Then looking down upon the city of three million people, all of the box shaped apartment buildings look like prisons. Our guide, Richard, met us, then we drove forty minutes to our five star hotel. Our room is on the 26th floor. We have a king-sized bed with a mattress that is hard as a board. I am glad we brought our Therm-a-rest air mattress to put on top.
13,858 steps/5.9 miles