Tang Dynasty Dinner

On Saturday we saw the Qin Dynasty terra cotta soldiers... pictures to come later. Next we rode a golf cart 11 miles around the Xi'an city wall... pictures to come later (there is a story that will explain why). And finally, we had dinner at the Tang Dynasty show. The show was amazing!

Last Day in Beijing

Today we visited the Giant Pandas at the Beijing Zoo. Then we saw the Summer Palace and rode across the lake on a dragon boat. Lunch was at a fresh water pearl factory. And finally, we went to the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium.

 

Our flight to Xi'an was a little late, so we skipped dinner and came straight to the hotel. It's been a long (14 hour) day of sightseeing and traveling,,. need to sleep.

Greenlees Kids at the Great Wall

Here are the pictures of Carter, Cooper, Wyatt, Sydney, & Gui Yu at the Great Wall... well their pictures anyway! I also posted a picture of an artist writing their names in Chinese characters, and a picture of the cloisonne boxes I bought for Sydney and me. I also bought gifts for the boys as I was actually standing on the Great Wall, but they will have to wait until I get home to see those!

The Great Wall... yes, we climbed it!

Another full day... Started at the silk carpet factory. Next was the Ming Tombs (camel picture). Then on to see how Chinese cloisonne is made with a lunch at the factory. Great gift shop here! The large vases were only $53,000. We passed because we didn't want to have to drag them on the plane. :) And finally... The Great wall of China! Back to Beijing for a Peking Duck dinner, and back to the hotel at last. We are exhausted once again.

 

 

Opera Video

Video will have to wait until I can shrink my files!

Peking Opera

The traditional Chinese opera last night was was interesting... very differnt from western opera. I will try to post a video after my pictures. The actors put on their make-up in the lobby so that we could watch. Also, we were served tea and snacks at our table before the show started.

Rickshaw Ride

After our 3 mile walk through the Forbidden City, we rode a rickshaw through the Hutong district to a local family's house. The homeowner cooked us an amazing lunch! Then we toured a local market.