The Summer Palace

Last day of sightseeing today in Beijing, so we decided to trek out to the Summer Palace which was where the Emperor and co. used to go in the heat of the summer when it got unbearable in the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace was a long bus trip out and the weather was once again freezing. The temples and buildings were beautiful and better looked after than the Forbidden City. There were also people in costume and performances of dancing and music on the stage. A lovely walk around the park and some pretty gardens with willow trees and bridges, tranquil. This is our last few days in China and although it took a lot of getting used to, we have seen loads and learnt a lot about how the Chinese live. I will not miss the spitting, staring, the smog or the MSG. What I have loved in China is the Wall, the Pandas, the Terraced Rice Fields and the countryside in general with immacualte vegetable plots and everyone working hard in the field as we zoomed (trundled)  by on our trains.