China Trip - Day One

We started our Chinese experience touring a small section of one of Beijings main attractions - the beautiful Summer Palace. It was used by China's imperial rulers as a retreat from the main imperial palace (Forbidden City). Our next stop was a Pearl "Factory" where we learned about fresh water pearls, and started our Chinese shopping marathon! Next we went back into the main part of Beijing for a tour of the Hutong Historic District - this area is the old section of Beijing and shows how things used to be - small houses, narrow lanes, rather dirty and smelly (no toilets in the homes - everyone uses the public toilets, which are about a block or 2 apart). We had lunch in a Chinese home. Then on to the Temple of Heaven, and finally back to our beautiful Crowne Plaza Sun Palace (5 star) Hotel to get some rest.

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