Walking around Bejing is good but the city is enormous. walked down to T Square and Maos tomb. Not too crowded but lots of hawkers selling (or trying) everything from maps to kites. Then walked back through and back to hotel.

Best way of getting around is probably taxis which are quite cheap if there are a few people. About 15 yuan(one pound) for an average ride. Went out for a chinese fast food meal - what it was I dont know but not bad and cheap. Then for a well deserved snooze. The map show blocks here but the distances are quite large.

Nest day i walked down to the Temple of Heaven which is a large park with lots goig on with locals as well as the Temples. Very interesting to see the normal way of life as i left there and walked back throught the local markets . Overall took about six hours and saw a bit more of th city walls. The city is a hive of activity with it looking like a massive building site at times. Away from the skyscaper blocks a street you find the old chinese way of life going strong.

That night we had a meal and met the rest of the party. Super chinese meal in a good resteraunt was about 30 yuan(two pounds)

The next day was an eary start to the Great Wall - took about three hours to get to an area which was not too touristry. Steep climb onto the wall and then we walked up and down for about 14km. along the wall. Some areas were crumbling down but the views were fantastic. Stopped for a picnic in the winter sunshine and then along to an area of the wall which has been refurbished.

At this point we left the wall using a zip line down a canyon for about 700m to the side of a lake. Good. Back to Beijing for another meal and bed.