Sunday, September 23, 2001 – Beijing

The capital of the People’s Republic of China. This thriving city is also the country’s political, economic and cultural centre. Explore this enormous city and wander through the narrow streets, a fascinating mix of past and present.

Beijing proved to be unforgettable, all senses assailed - colour and sound, smell and taste - leaving indelible memories of continual contrast, history and tradition alongside 20th century technology. Our tour group took the metro downtown where we had lunch. After lunch we did some sightseeing, including some of the small alleys off the main streets, where the market was crowded and thriving.