We started our day at 8.00 a.m. bought some biscuits and drinks. Took a bus number 635 and changed bus number 887. If you had the bus pass the cost of the fare was $4.80 rem if not then has to pay the full fare of $12.00 rem. Once again, the hotel receptionist provided us with details what buses to take and must bring our own foods and drinks as everything there are charge double or more.
Reached Badaling which is known as "Mutiayu Great Wall" in an hour. Bought the entrance ticket with cable car both ways cost $125.00 rem even knowing we will be walking down from the Great Wall but just in case, we have to give up and take the cable car down.
This Mutiayu Great Wall is not the main ones, but this is the second wall which is easy to walk up and down than the other and less populated with tourists. Still there were lot of tourists at this Wall. We only have a limited times to walk the wall as our last bus is at 4.00 p.m. and it about 3 kms away from this Great Wall to the bus stop. We were told to go back to the bus stop at 3.30 p.m. so that we have more of times for bus trip back.
The cable car took us to the 7th levels and we needed to walked the last 3 levels to reach the top of the Wall. The stone steps were quite level and in good conditions, some upwards were make of slant concrete brick path without steps but come with hand rails at both sides.
There is a Chinese saying "Walk to the top of the Great Wall, and you is a great Hero." So whoever up the Great Wall is a Great Hero. Took us about one and half hours to walk up to the top and then we decided to walk all the ways down instead of cable car. At first, we thought going down meant all the ways downwards but not. The walls were upwards and downwards all along the way to the ground levels.
We met some friends from Hong Kong and started chatting to them. Now, the downward is not so boring as we expected. We stopped at level 3 and decided not to go downward anymore. At level 3, there are lot of stalls selling goodies and drinks. Exchanged contact number with our friends. We were on our way back to the hotel.
Took knackered to carry on anymore, had a bath and a nap. Woke about 5.00 p.m., we ready to go to Zhi Shan Garden where we can view the Forbidden Palace there which recommended by the staff from the hotel. Unfortunately, we were lost and ask for directions non of the locals or either the bus driver can tell us where this Garden is. Wasted 2 hours journeys by bus so we change to take the tram and finally we reach the Zhi Shan Garden.
By the time we reached here is about 7.00 p.m. and they closed at 8.00 p.m. Pay for our ticket which cost $10.00 rem per person. This garden were famous special flowers, during each seasons and the garden will produced different flowers according to the seasons. During this times, the gardens were full of peony blossoms and they were gorgeous. It was too dark to take photos.
Luckily, we met a chinese couple whom also a tourist and also a keen photographer. The wife had a hand torch and she kindly hold the torch to light the flower so each of us can take turn to took the beautiful peony. We spend a happy hour with this couple and time for us to get out of this garden.
Met another local couple and asked for directions how to go to the Chinese Opera Theatre. She told us she was going the same direction and asked us to follow her and direct us to the theatre.
Reached the Chinese Opera Theatre about 9.30 p.m. and they were closed at 10.00 p.m. We aren't allow to go in and requested us to go there again tomorrow. "What a waste!!" We are going back to Hong Kong tomorrow. Took some photos of the building and took the tram back to the hotel again. We reached our hotel and took a walk along the shops, this part of the town was known the old parts of Beijing where the shops and houses still maintained in the olden days looks. We had been so busy going around sight-seeing and forgotten what a beautiful place this little town is. Had our dinner and then back to the hotel to pack for our early morning flight to Hong Kong the next day.
Photos: Supplied by Cat Tan and Robert Suen
Place: Mutiay Great Wall in Badaling,Beijing
Zhi Shan Garden
Chinese Opera theatre near Tian'anmen
Dated: 4.5.20102
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