Check out of the hotel.. Nothing special so I won't say much about this hotel. First destination in the morning after saying "Goodbye" to "my" so-called "American Breakfast" is to the 1st storey of the Watchtower which is actually now a Museum of Folk Customs of Beijing but the whole building is the Watchtower of Zhengyang Gate. Inside the Museum, we were shown the Beijing map by a female Chinese Professor who is the leader there. She explained in detail to us about the Chinese theory based on Confucianism, Chinese Cosmology & especially Feng Shui, behind the layout & designs of the Imperial Palace along with the whole of Beijing.
This is the place where it is recommended to buy/invite a "Pixiu" home. Reasons are simple, it's real and not fake! It's been prayed for atleast and it's safe and not related to religion. It is not a statue but it is a symbol and well, I think it's real. Given the fact to all of China's historical facts and figures out there, how can you deny "Feng Shui" at the very least?! Of course, you still need to work hard for it, "Feng Shui" is something to push you onwards. (Ps. Money don't grow from tree's, neither do they fall from the sky...lolx)
All of the "Feng Shui" sifu attend to each of us and offer us to ask questions concerning any issues and such. They have been trained well to look at our palms and face to tell us the answers. It's all accurate though. Can you deny a stranger telling you something that even your friend is "blind" to notice but it's the truth that only you know? Anyway, I gotta remove my mole on my face, because each time I give advice to ppl I meant them good but the way I say it is harsh because of my mole.... I wonder.... (We'll see... ehehhe)
Outside we took pictures of the City Gate Tower behind us and it's all a good experience!
My precious "Pixiu"... Means wealth.
Outside the Watchtower, is a town of it's own. There we sat on the tram to the other side of the town to get to our bus...
Next stop, an experience not to forget... We went to Hutong Village to visit one of the oldest neighborhood and also one of the most costly land in Beijing. Over there, we get to see how China used to live in the olden days. Of course, there are slight improvements except for the building structure and TOILET! There is no doors for the public toilet!!!!!!! Suppose to not have any water too but now there is water but still no door!! Hehehehe... Imagine the "aroma" 10 years ago and now!
Lunch Time! Went to the mini mart nearby to buy beer for ¥2.20 & Lays potato chips for ¥5.40. Took pictures of random eye-catching shots on the way...
Pet dogs walking the streets UNLEASHED! That's what I call UNITY, LOYALTY & RESPECT.
Sex Shop, I think it's something like Malaysia's "I Need House" (I guess... Never bother to go in)
But they're so "open minded"! Direct and straightforward. No cover ups or censorships... Lolx!
But yes, being "cheap" has it's advantages too. U can manage to get discounts up to 75% if you really bargain hard! Lots of chinese people that drive expensive cars, comes here for shopping... So there is the advantages & disadvantages to everything. Depends on how you see it. In my point of view, it doesn't suit me to shop here. It might be different for you though. No harm visiting here to find out yourself (hehehe... cheerx =P)
Last stop in Beijing for the day is the 798 Art Zone. Attracted by ordered designing, convenient traffic, unique style of Bauhaus architecture,many art organizations and artists came to rent the vacant plants and transformed them, gradually formed a district gathered galleries, art studios, cultural companies, fashion & etc. The best place I've been to, that is, if you know how to enjoy art!
Finally, 4 hours to Cheng De and the road gets bumpy at certain spots. Lots of field along the highway with ample amount of plantation fields and farms all through the journey. Plus the mountain view is breathtaking! Above the mountain you can see the "Great Wall" climbing the mountain top all the way through Beijing - Cheng De. As mentioned, the "Great Wall" is 8000km long and you definitely can see it stretch out of Beijing. The farmer lives along the highway in between Beijing - Cheng De but sadly, the land ain't good enough because it seems that the farmers grow fruits and vegetables only 1 year once. A very slow growth.
In Cheng De, 5pm the shopping malls will close! The population in Cheng De village is approx. 300k. The moment we arrive, we went straight to dinner and then check into the hotel and lights out!
