more impressions from Beijing

Photos from walks around Beijing in spring


For "pain or pox", I now know where to go!

This old man is practicing calligraphy on the pavement with a large brush and water. He is writing a Chinese poem. His art only lasts for a minute or two, before drying up.

Bicycle and old couch in a hutong

Super scooter :)

A young policeman standing guard at the Olympic Park

Plants in the Old Summer Palace (Beihai park)

Mops hanging to dry in a hutong

An old man flying a kite. He is a professional (as far as flying kites is concerned)

Hidden pavilion in the park surrounding the Old Summer Palace

Endless flowers

Brass door knocker in a hutong

Door knockers

A wall of the White Dagoba in Beihai Park, covered with Buddha reliefs

Panda hat

"Old hutong"

Bicycles in front of a store in a hutong

The 'bubbles' of the Aqua Center in the Olympic park by night. The buildings there are beautifully lit, but the strong wind is annoying.

Close up of the 'Bird's Nest' by night

Close up of the 'Bird's Nest' by night

Zoom effect on the 'Bird's Nest'

A visit to the Beijing Olympic park

On Sunday afternoon we took a subway to the Olympic park. It was a sunny day, and we took (purposely built) subway line 8 to get there. It was like stepping onto a movie set. The subway was nearly empty (used only by tourists now), spotlessly clean and security guards were standing every 10 meters.

Once out of the underground, there is a huge park, built kind of in the middle of nowhere. The main two 'sights' of course are the 'Bird Nest' and the 'Aquatics Center'. These two buildings cost millions to complete, and are indeed amazing to watch up close.

The 'park' (several square kms of paved surface) was full of people. It reminded me of Tian'anmen Square! Crowds of tourists swarmed around the place (including the tour groups with their red or yellow uniform hats).

The park is surrounded by tall sky scrapers in the distance, but because of its size, there was a strong wind blowing. I tried to imagine what the fireworks show during the opening ceremony must have looked like.

One can see how China has tried to impress the world by building this park. So much money was spent, and nothing was left to chance (signs with street directions in French, for example)

Opposite of the Bird Nest is the 'National Aquatics Center'; an equally magnificent building. The details of both buildings is what makes them so special. They look different from every angle you look.

This is the entrance to the park, with the stadium to my back. Most tourists started shooting photos (mostly with their mobile phones) when they were still in the subway!

At the other side of the park, things were a bit more quiet. This man is flying a kite.

Across the street of the Olympics area is a very unusual park. It is full of 'historic' buildings. I'm not sure if they are authentic or not, but it looked absurd. Next to these pagodas was a sort of mosque, with inside a restaurant and shopping center.

Viewing tower in the Olympic park

This statue is named "sea wind" (hai feng). All around the park are sculptures and works of art. I thought this one is quite ironic; due to the massive construction and wide avenues, it feels like there is now a 'sea wind' in Beijing...