Having been to the 'Great' wall we decided to see what else is really 'great' about China so decided on a weekend of culture. First off we got up early on sunday - after falling into bed at 3 am we fell back out at 8am. (I blame that german guy and the odd milk alcohol we were fed by the bar staff!!)Anyways off we went by Taxi to Panjayuan antique market, which was huge and was filled with oddly enough . . . antiques lol It was a fantastic sight seeing thousands of nick nacks, vases, furniture etc of all shapes and sizes. The only fault was there was no food anywhere to be found?!? (Hangovers make me hungry). This was remedied in the evening when we went to an Indian restaurant and had a good old fashioned slap up Indian meal (just like in the UK)We had to walk home then 'cos we wouldnt have both fitted in a taxi afterwards!
ON monday after a Japanese breakfast (told you it was a cultural weekend) we went to the Tianamen square and the Great Hall of the People and yep once again it was definately 'Great' We have come to realise that when the Chinese call something 'Great' it really is just that! This building was amazing and for those of you who don't know it then this is the place that is always on tv when Chinese politicans hold 'dialogue' with foreign ministers etc. We were permitted to just wander around at our own pace as long as we didnt go through the No entry signs.
Afterwards we walked through Tianamen square again, which is huge, there are even guards checking bags etc as you enter the square, (obviously we look very innocent cos they let us thru without checking). The National Museum was closed but it was a beautiful day and as the sun shone on us, people flew kites, took pics and spoke to foreigners!! But alas we had to come home and back to work thenext day!
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