Full packed days adventures awaited us as we climbed the Great Wall, walked around Tiananmen Square, rode in bike pulled rickshaws, ate an awesome lunch at a home diner, walked around Temple of Heaven park and the Spring Palace, attend church in a business building on floor 4 - just like walking into a church :) Side stops at a jade factory and Cloisonné factory - both very beautiful to see and the artists are amazing.
Jack and Charlene - beautiful fall flowers at the Square. You can see the Forbidden City entrance in the back ground
Beautiful art work on the outside of the Forbidden City. This was re-done a few years ago for the Olympics. They are working on restoring some of the other buildings to their vibrant colors. 
These two trees grew together forming somewhat of a heart. It is found in the Empress' garden. It represented the love the Emperor and she had for each other. Of course, everyone wanted a picture here. We were no exception!
A large flower bouquet in Tiananmen Square 
A giant brass statue of a female lion guarding the gate. The detail work was so intricate and beautiful. The male was on the opposite side of the gate. 
Rumor has it if Chinese parents take a picture with an American they will be prosperous. This little one was so cute! Her mom was busy taking pictures of me and her daughter while I was trying to get the daughter
Too many cute little children!
These next few pictures are from the Summer Palace. The Empress lived her during the summer months. Notice the Phoenix bird on the left and the Dragon on the right. The bird = woman and the dragon = man representing unity in marriage. 
This is a pic of the BYU teachers who were on the tour with us. Marvin, our guide, is in yellow. This gate is a gateway to the large lake behind us. Also in the Summer Palace
This is the covered walkway around the Summer Palace. The art work and detail are beautiful! On the sides at the top were painting of the Chinese fairy tales. Very cool!
A yes, the marble ship at the Summer Palace. Well, okay, not all marble. The bottom part of the ship is marble (stationary in the water, of course) the top parts are mostly wood painted to look like marble. The Empress would hold dinner parties here during the summer. There is a large mirror on the second floor in the middle. That was to satisfy her vanity. 
An artist at the jade factory carving a family ball. It is one piece of jade with three parts. The two inside balls are also carved from the same piece of round jade. It represents 3 generations of family and families forever. 
Anyone have about $37,000 dollars laying around? Shipping is free! 
Our little section we climbed of the Great Wall. Yup about 400 steps - all of varying height, width, and depth. Ha! What an adventure it was. I couldn't believe that I was really there and really walked on it. This section was built by prisoners. I am not sure how they got all that rock and stone up the very steep mountain sides. I am sure they were literally worked to the bone doing so. So much history!
These are locks locked around the chain. These happen to be love locks and not secret locks. 
Here we are! We made it to the soldiers watch tower. Whew! Great place to rest. Ah, notice the sign - no climbing - not sure how else to get up there, but oh, well....
Yup this would be the angle in which we climbed - nearly straight up!
Yup this would be the angle in which we climbed - nearly straight up!
Anyone know how to speak 'cellphone'? Well don't speak during a thunderstorm! We love their signage. It makes for great examples when we talk about translation :)
Not sure what this says, but we were so glad to make it down safe and sound we had to take a picture with it. Coming down was more scary than going up. I had to take my glasses off because the bifocal was making it worse! 
A zoomed in pic from the top where we stopped.
A stop at the Cloisonné factory. Wow, everything done by hand, then fired, then painted again, then repeat about 7 times!
We arrive in Beijing the day after APEC. The city still had the lights on for show. We also enjoyed beautiful blue, no cloud in the sky days, thanks to APEC! or so we are told.... :)
This hotel and office buildings was built to represent a dragon ship. Can you see it? The tallest part is the head of the dragon and his body lays out behind.
Oh my gosh! How can everything be so amazing?! :)
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