After arrival in Hong Kong I went to the Consular Department Office (26 Harbour Road, Wanchai) for my multiple entry Visa to China. I spent about HKD 180 plus HKD 40 for a second entry. Within two business the visa was ready to pick up. In case I'd request it over Germany this usually takes up to 4 weeks and requires your person to appear at the Chinese Embassy. Another option is being offered by various Hong Kong Travel Agencies for an extra fee of roughly HKD 100. After this was done getting the right and nice package is one of the next steps. While going thru all of those you should consider that sometimes they will cancel some packages due low demand. Hence it couldn't hurt to ask for the actual booking situation. In 2007 some packages did offer a 4 days stay in Beijing including flight, double floor hotel suite, breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner, guided tours, visits to traditional chinese manufactories, misc fares... all for just HKD 2300. The one and only drawback for foreign visistors might be the langugage that is either Cantonese or Mandarin - so you either can test your skills if you want or pay much more money getting the english guide next to you. By the way: the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is fixed to the U.S. Dollar (USD) that means you pay 1 USD and get 7,8 HKD.
The first trip after arriving in Beijing features a bus ride to the country side showing some presentations of artists and traditional chinese actors, flavored with some kitschy stuff and fake/copy watches. A visit to a ancient temple site should be the highlight of that day.
The next day was one of those that claims to become one of the hot and dry one. Maybe this was a good reason to enjoy some sea side areas on some traditional boats including gentle sea side breezes. This makes you discovering some of that places you won't see from the land side - truly impressive! Also watch the old man on the first picture. He paints some chinese signs that become vapor and fade away after a while, subjected to be re-drawn by himself again. I've never seen something like this before.
Throughout the next stay which features a silk manufacture were visitors can watch an exhibition about how all the raw materials are being turned into such valuable and magnificent clothes. In addition to that a showcase displays whose famous skin is being covered by the silk. Do you know somebody?
Walking over the famous "Tiananmen Square", also known as "Gate of Heavenly Peace", might let you feel little weird. Because that's exactly the location were in 1989 hundreds of chinese students peacefully protested against the policies and rukes of the Chinese Communist Party but were throw down by the chinese military in such a cruel and bloody manner what makes all these atrocities unforgettable. Located on the northern side of that place the "Forbidden City" was the residence of the chinese emperor and its cortege. Inside some selected, air-conditioned houses the artifacts of past dynasties are being exhibited. Take a closer look as they're in an outstanding good condition.
All last six pictures have one thing in common: they're all about the Chinese Great Wall. Weather conditions were quite hard on that day and also subjected to change every minute. Going up the Great Wall really took my breath. I never thought that those steep steps can do that - from another point of view it's a pretty nice daily workout for someone. Well, thinking back the time as this wall was built up doesn't make me feel better. Not to mention the decent...
By the way: these chained locks in the second picture are meant to symbolize the everlasting love and closeness of two persons. When the couple attaches their lock to the other ones and throws the key away then love is supposed to remain forever.*
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| © 2005-2008 Torsten Mann, Pfingstbrunnenstr. 10, 65760 Eschborn. | Last Update: August 29th, 2008 |
