Beijing post 2
Yesterday we fell asleep around 11 but then woke up at 1 and couldn't get back to sleep for ages! So managed to get up around 10, so still improving! I decided we probably wouldn't have enough time for the museum of Chinese history so instead we headed east to the posh part of town to see the Ming dynasty observatory and the Poly museum.
The observatory is in English the "ancient observatory but it was 17th century which is 500 years later than my favourite period of Chinese history so I think of it as really late! But it had the most beautiful astronomical instruments they were all covered in dragons and monsters! There were some nice exhibitions about the history if astronomy and developments in China and Europe and their interactions. (One of the great things I learned was how popular Herschal's book had been translated into Chinese in the 19th century. The view from the top of the observatory was now surrounded by much higher skyscrapers.
After that we went to the poly (boli) museum which is a museum of ancient artefacts in a very modern office building! It is full of Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes and early Buddist statues. It was the first time Id been anywhere with a collection like that where you could take photos. I also got their catalogue of bronzes which was gorgeous and only 2.50 it had amazing photos. Was slightly disappointed when I got back to the hotel and discovered they'd given me the traditional character version. I hadn't thought that would be an issue but I guess they probably get a lot of rich buisness people from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Still gorgeous even if it'll be a bit harder to read.
Afterwards we decided to go to visit Chaoyang park as it looked deceptively close on the map. We must have walked at least 45 minutes but it was fascinating to see another part of Beijing, especially one people actually lived in. Wandering through the city you really get the feeling that it's a city that's in growth as opposed to London which just feels like it's stagnating. The park had most of its attractions closed but that was quite nice as it meant it was mostly empty and we got to wander by the lake which was nice as it was the first water we'd seen since we'd been here. One thing I do find very odd about the parks here is you have to pay to get in. Granted it's only 50p but it doesn't feel much in keeping with communist ideals!
We had another yummy dinner in one of the local restaurants with the best tofu! I picked up a couple of "stout beer"s in the local supermarke for 40p each, royal stout says "black beer in a German royal for feeing in pure and unadulterated" it tastes nothing like schwarze bier but rather like choclate cake so I'm really liking it!
I also realised that while Facebook and Twitter are blocked here none of the videos on touduo or you ku are so I can watch any Chinese tv I want!!! If I'd been clever I would have bought the laptop and downloaded everything!
The observatory is in English the "ancient observatory but it was 17th century which is 500 years later than my favourite period of Chinese history so I think of it as really late! But it had the most beautiful astronomical instruments they were all covered in dragons and monsters! There were some nice exhibitions about the history if astronomy and developments in China and Europe and their interactions. (One of the great things I learned was how popular Herschal's book had been translated into Chinese in the 19th century. The view from the top of the observatory was now surrounded by much higher skyscrapers.
After that we went to the poly (boli) museum which is a museum of ancient artefacts in a very modern office building! It is full of Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes and early Buddist statues. It was the first time Id been anywhere with a collection like that where you could take photos. I also got their catalogue of bronzes which was gorgeous and only 2.50 it had amazing photos. Was slightly disappointed when I got back to the hotel and discovered they'd given me the traditional character version. I hadn't thought that would be an issue but I guess they probably get a lot of rich buisness people from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Still gorgeous even if it'll be a bit harder to read.
Afterwards we decided to go to visit Chaoyang park as it looked deceptively close on the map. We must have walked at least 45 minutes but it was fascinating to see another part of Beijing, especially one people actually lived in. Wandering through the city you really get the feeling that it's a city that's in growth as opposed to London which just feels like it's stagnating. The park had most of its attractions closed but that was quite nice as it meant it was mostly empty and we got to wander by the lake which was nice as it was the first water we'd seen since we'd been here. One thing I do find very odd about the parks here is you have to pay to get in. Granted it's only 50p but it doesn't feel much in keeping with communist ideals!
We had another yummy dinner in one of the local restaurants with the best tofu! I picked up a couple of "stout beer"s in the local supermarke for 40p each, royal stout says "black beer in a German royal for feeing in pure and unadulterated" it tastes nothing like schwarze bier but rather like choclate cake so I'm really liking it!
I also realised that while Facebook and Twitter are blocked here none of the videos on touduo or you ku are so I can watch any Chinese tv I want!!! If I'd been clever I would have bought the laptop and downloaded everything!