Early start 4.30 though checked alarm through the night. Fast taxi to empty station so sitting waiting for 1.5hrs. The landscape surrounding Beijing is pancake flat entirely arable cultivated. Smallish fields with uniform young green planting, not padi? Young wheat/corn? Further on graduated to barren rocky hills, with large areas covered with randomly placed solar …

Today an easy day…. Hectic start and anticipated early 5am start and busy 2 days in Pingyao coming up Visited the Cloisonné Museum. Very quiet. There were 3 floors, historic display museum floor, shop and “factory” floor, and shop floor It was interesting if you like cloisonne but presentation a little sterile. Some pieces are …

Off to the Great Wall at Mutianyu today. Sky very grey and slightly hazy coming out through suburbs. Temp 20-24c After a painless drive (taxi) to Mutianyu Ying had asked the driver what translation app he used We are now the proud face of Chinese tourism 2026! He had gone off and found the Tourist …

Our first full day Together we had a good nights sleep…. Ying was awake til 4am, I woke up at 5… Hotel breakfast was extensive, 30yards of buffet. I was surprised at all the pork/bacon. Not in Malaysia now! And to Ying’s delight, free flowing coffee Breakfast cafeteria. It’s has everything you could desire , …