Lu Gou Qiao, China

Lu Gou Qiao - Marco Polo Bridge - it is said that this is the oldest bridge in Beijing. A historical bridge where a full scale war from Japan was launched. It was said that the bridge is lined by 485 carved stone lions, and each carving is different. At each side of the bridge, are carved inscriptions by Emperor Qianlong. Clearly, some of the stone lions have been restored, but the grey cobbled walk-way and remnants of the multiple bullet holes are authentic.

Other than this one bridge, there is really nothing much to see around this area. Not a must-see in Beijing, only if you have the time to travel about 30-40 minutes each way to the bridge. And time spent at the bridge is less than 40 minutes to stroll across and back, with photo-taking.

Diao Yu Tai in BJ

Management conference this year was held at a villa situated at the foot of Fragrance Hill.
It was a very secluded and serene environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Some of us also took a climb up the Fragrance Hill, while the lazy ones took the cable car ride!

Highlight of the conference was a dinner at Diao(4) Yu(2) Tai(2). Enclosed in a very well-guarded compound, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse is reserved for the exclusive use of foreign dignitaries, accessible only through a private-use highway which is off-limits to the regular urban traffic. A very rare opportunity, thanks to our GM and a very resourceful RA mgr who knows the right people to arrange for this elaborate dinner celebrations. Many of the locals have not even been here, or will never get a chance to come in their lifetime, the same goes for me!

Japan with mom!

Wanted to take mom on a trip, and our plan was to go Egypt, but as there were no suitable travel dates with the agencies, we decided to settle for Japan. Very rushed trip, but quality time with mom! I particularly enjoyed the dips in the hot springs with mom!

Pingyao - China

Pingyao, in Shan(1)xi(1) - is a traditional Han Chinese town, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
GS, Cat n I took a weekend trip to Pingyao. Thanks to Karen, who gave us travel info and suggestions. Via the email, we made bookings at the Tian(1) Yuan(2) Kui(2) hotel in Pingyao, which also arranged for a car to pick us up at the airport.

We took an early flight out from Beijing to Taiyuan aiport in Shanxi. On-route to Pingyao, we got the car driver to stop by Qiao Courtyard House - Qiao(2) Jia(1) Yuan(4), where Zhang Yimou's "Raise the Red Lantern" was filmed. Then we drove for another 2 hrs to Pingyao, before checking into Tian Yuan Kui court-yard style hotel. The rest of the day was spent exploring the well-preserved old town - including a Ming dynasty wall that surrounds the town, a yamen, a qian zhuang (money house), a wu guan (martial art school), courtyard houses, ancient temples etc. preserved just like in its hey days. The next morning, we hired another car from the hotel to Wang Courtyard House - Wang(2) Jia(1) Yuan(4), home of the Wang family - which at its peak had more than 1,000 male servants! This is a must-see if you are in Pingyao, far better than Qiao Courtyard house which only became a popular tourist spot after the movie and another local drama series. And it was definitely worth our while to get an interpreter, or we would not have fully appreciated the Wang Courtyard House.

Hangzhou, China

Spent a weekend exploring Hangzhou on my own - have been hearing so much about her beauty.

Started the day with a stop at Lei(2) Feng(1) Ta(3), where I got a spectacular view of the HZ Xihu (west lake) from the top. The cab driver drove me around the lake, and brought me up the Long(2) Jin(3) Shan(1) Zhuang(1), where I insisted on visiting as I wanted to visit the tea plantations! HZ is known for their Long Jin Xi Hu Tea, and I was determined to get some authentic tea! However, I was disappointed to only a small village at the top. Nevertheless, a "kind" village lady brought me to a small tea plantation by the back of the village where I got a spectacular view of the vast tea plantations on the Shi(1) Feng(1) hill in a distance. I was told that this is where the real quality tea leaves are picked, better than the ones around the Xihu area. We chatted for a quite a long time as she explained to me the tea picking seasons and how to pick the right leaves, then invited me to her place for some tea. Her family supplies tea to some of the tea houses in the city, so I thought I would buy some tea from her. I spent more than S$250 buying high quality tea to give to boss, family, relatives and friends. But realised later from my Sales manager that I can get daily drinking tea leaves for about S$25 for 250g at the wholesale market in the city. Thinking that I got cheater and determined to recoup my losses, I bought more "low quality" tea at the wholesale market the day after! But thought I could taste a difference in the different grades of tea, or maybe its all psychological!

For dinner, I wanted to try the reknown dishes at teh Lou(2) Wai(4) Lou(2), so I set out on foot around the lake to the resturant. I could not resist ordering the "Jiao(4) Ji(1)" - beggar's chicken, and the "Dong(1) Po(1) Rou(1)" - stewed meat with fatty layers! The people at the next table was staring at me, probably shocked that I alone ordered 3 dishes, certainly I did not get to finish all the food, since they did not allow for orders of half-chicken! After dinner, I took more stroll around the river, wanting to enjoy the night views of the lake. Beautiful!

Early the next morning, I jumped onto a boat which cruised around the lake and also the oppotunity to explore the various man-made "islands" in the middle of the lake. It started to drizzle a little, but added a very Shi(1) Qin(2) Hua(4) Yi(4) feel to it! I imagined days of old when people playing qin(a Chinese music instrument) and writing shi (poem)!

Inner Mongolia, China

Cat n I took our first weekend trip with Chinese Culture Club (CCC) to Inner Mongolia. Though more expensive than DIYs, as CCC is catered mainly to the expat community and travellers looking for planned/organized trips around Beijing/China, it took the hassle of planning out of our busy schedules.

We stayed at the Hui(4) Teng(2) Xi(1) Le(4) grassland, though we did not get a chance to stay in a yurt. The vast grassland and hordes of horses and cows, reminded me of a Meng Niu advertisement on the billboards which I pass by everyday on my way to work!

As you arrive, the locals will offer you a cup of white wine, and as the highest gesture of their hospitality, they will also roast a whole lamb for you. Not fond of lamb meat at all, I stuck with the veggies! Pretty good!

Spring in Bei Da - Beijing University

A few of us made our way to the west side, many of us, for the first time!

You see, our lives literally revolve in the east side of Beijing - Chao Yang district - where our homes and offices are, even our fave eateries and shopping spots! So getting out to the west side of the city is an adventure in itself! Now that Spring is in the air, we decided to visit the acclaimed Beijing (Peking) University - Bei(3) Da(4), which was easily accessible by the subway. The journey took about 40 minutes, nevertheless, a worthwhile trip.

Very few ex-pats are aware that the campus of Beijing University is as beautiful as an imperial garden. We entered through the East gate, and took a stroll through its grounds. There were traditional houses, and even a lake and a pagoda! The University also owns an excellent Arthur M.Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, but we did not get to visit, perhaps another time then!

Nearby is the Tsinghua University - Qing(1) Hua(2).

As Cas happened to be in town, I got her to come out to meet my friends and I in the west! It was a good catching up at an Indian food joint which Nic recommended. Nic, our food gourmet, never fails us!

Here are some pics taken at the Weiming Lake in the campus of Peking University:

Sakura! @ Yu Yuan Tan in BJ

Spring's in! Sakura and colourful wind-wheels too! I want a BEE!
Also bought for my Godsons, guess you don't easily find this in Singapore!

Family's CNY reunion in Beijing

I really thank God for bringing us our family through this very tough period. I have much to thank God for - for healing my dad, for my dad's salvation, and for bringing our family very close together.

Dad and brother came over and spent Christmas with me, the second time since I arrived in Beijing. It is really good to have dad & bro here during this time when most of my friends are back home celebrating Christmas with their family or on xmas holidays.

Brother left earlier, while dad stayed on. But he fell very ill, and had to spend 2 months in the ICU. The doctors prepared me for the worst, and mom & bro decided to fly over cos the burden was too much for me to bear alone. I thank God for the friends and colleagues he rallied around me. For once, I really understood the significance of Guan(1) Xi(4) even in the hospital industry. Thankfully for Jessica, my regulatory manager, who knew many people, who knew even more significant individuals, my dad was well cared for. But we have never felt so helpless, as the doctors could not ascertain the bacteria that was causing his rapid spread of the puemonia and even had to put him on ventilator.

But thank God, the ordeal is behind us now, and his miraculous recovery also baffled the doctors cos of dad's old age. They said he was "lucky to have pick back his life", I say, "thank you Lord for healing daddy!" Dad also came to accept Christ as his personal Saviour! Praise God! Through this, our family also grew very close to each other as we come together daily in prayer for dad's recovery and also became a strong support for one another.

Having to spend CNY in Beijing this year, bro & I also decided to try out a couple of fireworks since this is also the first year that BJ authorities allowed fireworks within the 3rd ring road. We were delighted to have found a few small ones left at the roadside vendor, though these are nothing compared to the gallore of fireworks going off all around us on the eve of CNY! We were literally sprinting from one room to another to get our first eye-feasts of the beautiful fireworks in every direction as Beijingers were as eager to have their free play!