UA897: IAD to PEK: For the past few years flights to Asia take a much more northerly route than in years past. Not only is it more direct, there is no jet stream to fight at the poles (or so said a pilot a few trips ago). Unfortunately, the in-flight route map screens were not working - too bad, that's usually my favorite part of the trip, an adult, high-tech version of "when do we get there?" Some hours after takeoff, a flight attendant informed that we were 15 miles from the North Pole. It was all white with clouds and could have been anywhere.
These two pictures show the view from southern Canada (above), about an hour after departing Washington and the view just north of Beijing (at right), about 15 minutes before arrival - the Great Wall of China is clearly visible starting along the left bottom, running towards the center (Click the photo for a large version).
A view of the new PEK airport, now under construction and said to be ready for the Olympics next year; it will be the largest air terminal in the world, beating out the new (well, by now, not so very new) Hong Kong airport. According to Sir Norman's firm: "The world’s largest and most advanced airport building - not only technologically, but also in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and sustainability – Beijing Airport will be welcoming and uplifting. A symbol of place, its soaring aerodynamic roof and dragon-like form will celebrate the thrill of flight and evoke traditional Chinese colours and symbols."
Arrival in PEK. The current Beijing airport is already a supermodern construction that blows away most other world airports. It's pretty new opening only in late 1999. Less than seven years old, and they're building a new one?!! That's the new China. The taxi from the airport sped past the original PEK Capital Airport terminal, no longer in use for passengers. It's a typical 1950s Stalinist affair with heavy and massive construction and oversized halls. I thought back of my first arrival in PEK in that building: windows were cracked and dirty, escalators weren't working, baggage carousels were missing various components, everything was concrete and painted green, smells of garlic permeated most spaces. What a change in a mere 20 years.
Arrival at the Park Plaza Hotel. Not only was this 20 years almost to the day of my first trip to China, the hotel was located less than a block away from my first home in Beijing: the Chinese Red Cross Guest House. Back in 1987, foreigners had very slim pickings for hotels as most only accepted Chinese nationals as guests. At that time the entire area where I am now staying was one large hutong but most of that is gone - you can see bits of the typical gray roofed buildings in this photo from my window; the Red Cross Guest House is the multistoried white building just right of center.
In 1987 the hutong went all the way to Dong Dan Bei Dajie, now all glittering and shiny.
I set off for a walk in Wangfujing area - the church on Wangfujing is still there.
Here's the obligatory view of Tiān'ānmén 
Another obligatory view 
The Working People's Cultural Palace and Garden just to the east of Tian'anmen Rostrum.
Another garden view
Yet another Garden view
Still another garden view with "2008" in flowers
Outdoor market: "Hello Mister. Where you come from? Come in see."
Where to eat? Too many choices, not enough time.
This looks particularly attractive "Be drunk Casually 25 yuan"... perhaps some other night?
But this looks just about right. The building stands alone with construction and clearing of all other structures all around.
Ambience: Yelling waitresses, crowded communal tables, no pale-faced tourists and nothing written in English: at least 9 on a scale of 10
Dumpling maker: 10 out of 10
Soup, wonton, dumplings and a beer for Y31, what more could a kid want?
Bed time at 8:00 pm.
1 comment:
Hey Bob. Great job on the blog. Those pics are fantastic. The dumplings look delish!!
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