China Day 3

We had a wonderful day on our second full day in Beijing!  We visited the Ming Tombs where emperors from the Ming dynasty are buried, out on the countryside and it was nice to get out of the city.  There are several tombs in the mountains; we visited 2 sites today.  There are some mythical creatures that represent justice, longevity and endurance, for example - those are the stone creatures we are standing next to, and the big red building is the tomb.  Some of the treasured were dug up and we went to a museum where there were beautiful dishes and other items made out of gold and jade that the emperor and his officials used, which we saw as well. 

At lunchtime we went to the factory where they make Cloisonnet vases and we were amazed at the process and tedious details that they have to go through to make each piece - a 20 day process for the smaller vases!  We had a great lunch with the other family that is here, Rod and Joy.

Next we went to the Great Wall which is over 2000 miles in length and yes, Randy, they did bury their dead in the walls.  It was MUCH STEEPER than we thought, and the section we visited goes through a mountain range, that protected Beijing from Mongolian invaders.

Afterwards we had a wonderful espresso at a coffee shop and did some shopping for clothes and other things. 

Tomorrow we go to Hong Kong to meet up with the rest of the families.  Happy Thanksgiving!