The Millers Take on Beijing,China

--ARRIVAL--

in Beijing, China

While in Beijing we stayed at the

LOVELY Marriott City Wall hotel.

The view of the city, at night, from our window

The old city wall of beijing

--DAY ONE--

Beijing, China

Before heading out for a day of sighting 

we began our day with a GREAT breakfast.

It was nice that Dad and Nathan

had status with Marriott

so we could enjoy a buffet breakfast

and dinner in the concierge's lounge.

The view of the city from the lounge.

Beijing was incredibly clear while we were there.

Most people we spoke with said they

had never seen it so clear.  

We were very grateful for nice weather.

-After breakfast we took taxis from the hotel

to Temple of Heaven.  One taxi left several minutes

before the other so we were unable to follow each other.

Jessica, Nathan, Heidi and I were in the second taxi.

When we got to the entrance of Temple of Heaven

we expected the other half of our family to be waiting 

for us but, they were nowhere to be found.

We didn't panic, but ENJOYED the locals.

One man selling hats tried to kiss my cheek 

and got this reaction - TOTAL SHOCK!

I love the little lady holding Jessica's hand.

Jessica was like a MOVIE-STAR and

had many fans demanding they have their photos

taken with her.  She was such a good sport.

After about 20 minutes of not finding the

other half of our family. I talked to someone

at the ticket booth and found we were at the 

South Entrance.  I was able to contact Haleigh

and find they were at the North Entrance.

We made arrangements to meet inside the gates.

The South end of the Temple of Heaven Complex

After about 30 minutes we spotted 

Dad, Amy, Stephen and Haleigh.

Now that we were together, our viewing of the 

Temple of Heaven Complex could begin.

The Echo Wall

The Imperial Vault of Heaven

The CUTE locals!

Inside the Imperial Vault of Heaven

The Imperial Vault of Heaven Gates

The Temple of Heaven

This was one of my FAVORITE parts 

of our trip.  A FAMILY PHOTO of us

dressed up as Emperors and Empresses

of China.  IT WAS SO FUN!!

As we left the complex a man was

playing a very interesting horn instrument.

-From the Temple of Heaven complex

we crossed the street to have lunch.  

Nathan looked at the map of the area

and found we were in the same building as the

Pearl Market, a place we wanted to shop.

We spent the rest of the afternoon SHOPPING!

We found - Burberry ties and scarves, MAC cosmetics,

Prada purses and North Face jackets.

It was AWESOME!

To get back to the hotel half of our family

was able to jump in a taxi.

The other half of us jumped on tuk tuks.

This was Heidi and Stephen's favorite part of the trip.

I joined Jessica in this one.

It was a FUN way to end the day.

--DAY TWO--

Beijing, China

Our BUSIEST day of sightseeing.

-Tiananmen Square-

-The Forbidden City-

-The Summer Palace-

-The Beijing Olympic Village-

Mao's Mausoleum

Monument to the People's Heros

The gates of the Forbidden City

Inside the Forbidden City

Haleigh, Jessica and I were almost

smothered to death here.  While in the overly

crowded line of people trying to see inside of the hall,

we were smashed to the point of not being 

able to breath.  We chose to leave the line

before we even reached the doorway.

I have grown very fond of these lions

after learning their meaning.

They are always in pairs - 

one female, one male.

The one pictured above is a female.

Under her left paw is a baby lion,

symbolizing the female protecting the 

home and family.

This lion is the male.

Under his right paw is a ball,

symbolizing the world and his

responsibility to go out in to the world

and provide for the family.

The lake at the Summer Palace

Paddle boats on the lake of the Summer Palace.

Jessica and Haleigh waiting to board their paddle boat.

Anchors aweigh!!

The Tower of Buddhist Incense

Stairway to the Tower of Buddhist Incense

The view from the top

A kanji artist at the Summer Palace

The Olympic Village

The Bird's Nest

Haleigh in front of the Water Cube

Inside the Water Cube where Michael Phelps swam!

The diving platforms

Stephen had some problems with the railing.

Thank goodness Jess was there to help him.

--DAY THREE--

The GREAT WALL

Haleigh and Jessica on the tram to the top

Olivia, our cousin who lives in Beijing,

and her two boys were able to join us

at The Wall.

The MAN who made THIS all possible - MY DAD.

My FAVORITE Chinaman and his friendly donkey.
He sells postcards, candy and drinks on the Great Wall.

Good bye Beijing!

It's time for us to see another

AMAZING part of China.

Off to Guilin!