CHINA

Beijing

Tiananmen Square was huge! Very beautiful. Background history- protests of 1989, was a massacre that were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the beginning on 14 April 1989. Led mainly by students and intellectuals, the protests occurred in a year that saw the collapse of a number of communist governments around the world. It is estimated that 3,000 protesters were killed. There is no video footage/evidence showing violence in the square itself. Following the conflict, the government conducted widespread arrests of protesters and their supporters, cracked down on other protests around China, banned the foreign press from the country and strictly controlled coverage of the events in the press. Members of the Party who had publicly sympathized with the protesters were purged, with several high-ranking members placed under house arrest. We also went to the Forbidden City which is laid out very well and you get to see a lot of pottery and what the Chineese make with their hands. It made me love the USA even more. Our government does not control everything we do/hear/see. Well... we hope they never do.

Great Wall- I recommend to go to a starting point that doesn't have all stairs haha. It was quite a work out and I didn't see 1 person who could make it all the way. I know now why you can see this beast from space, its HUGE!

Hot Pot Dinner - similar to Fondue was awesome. You order tons of food for the whole table and put it into a pot like structure with hot water which cooks your meat/food.

We stopped by the site where the 2008 Summer Olypics were held in Beijing. If you ever have the chance go at night, it was cooler and looked awesome with all the lights. I really think I now need to see an Olypic action at some point in my life! The stadiums were huge to accomadate all the guests. The Beijing National Stadium is called the Birds Nest because of the sturctures look from the outside.



We went to the Silk Market. Think of a warehouse with tons and tons of vendors. It was HUGE, I think it had 7 floors of everything you could think of. You can debate on the prices and just walk away if you don't want to pay it... they just come running after you! I have never heard of Chloe but I am in love with her purses! I got a while Chloe bag, UGG boots, 4 scarves, a mug for my mom, a tie for my boyfriend and 2 make up bags. It was all super cheap and I wish I would have bought more, I love everything!

Temple of Heaven was very pretty. We stood in the middle of the temple and reached for Heaven!


Peking Duck, or Peking Roast Duck is a famous duck dish from Beijing that has been prepared since the imperial era, and is now considered one of China's national foods. The dug is sliced in front of the diners by the cook into 121 (i think) slices. I kinda felt like I was in The Christmas Story when they went to the Chineese place on Christmas haha.



Xi'an

Our Hotel was the Howard Johnson for its great location. Staff was ok but the breakfast was awesome! They had such a wide variety of food and tons of great things to try. They also had pretty good happy hour specials as well as a tea tasting on the 2nd floor.

We visted the Teracotta Warriors. A group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are everwhere! Originally the warriors were colored but when they hit the air the color fades.


Chinese acrobats in Xi'an were crazy! Not at all like the circus. These acrobats can do things I haven't even dreamed of!!


Bell Tower- stands in the center of Ancient Xi’an City.


China in general:
-Taxis: They are awesome drivers haha. You pretty much drive as fast as you can. There are really no rules while driving just get to your destination asap. It was funny and I think my family got a little afraid but I wish every taxi was like that. We have like 4 lane highways, well they turn that into like 8. Lanes/lines are just something on the road, no one really follows it.

-Swimming Caps are required in the pools, damn did we look good in our caps!

-People LOVED us. My 7 year old cousin is a blonde hair blue eyes and all they wanted to do was take picutres with us. People would come up and pose with us and then we would just be bombarded with pictures and people who wanted to take pictures with us! It was funny. Now I know what its like to be famous.

I think that is it... hope I got everything. Feel free to ask any questions and hope I can answer them

I had a blast and never thought I would even dream of going to China. I loved it and if you ever get the change, its worth it!!

xoxo
Sara