The New Beachhutman Blog

A sharp, sunny day in Beijing, and a general feeling that since I had had (note the use of the past perfect there, dammit, I’m working too much with English teachers these days) as I was saying, had had three really good late starts to the morning this week, felt well rested. Which sentence has wandered somewhat.

As I did subsequently. I had my morning espresso and a healthy snack, which knowledge I will share with you, that is to say I had one banana, and then took myself off to the subway, and from the there to Yuyuantan (Green Jade pool) Park.The pol in question is actually these days a lake complex, and it being winter, somewhat frozen. Who says the Beijingers don't know how to have fun in Winter? (not me)

There was a roped off area of the lake for skaters. Yuyuantan park has two large lakes, a river basin and a smaller fishing lake. Quite large for an inner city park even by Beijing standards.

A bit of private enterprise, renting out skates and  ......

Little buggies for the less confident!

After I walked right around the park, which is a fair old stroll, which got me back into a good Beijing-touristy mood. For I have rather been neglecting my weekend strolls to familiarise myself further with this place, a neglect that started in August when  due to the world school sports it was remarkably difficult to travel around Beijing, what with all the added security. Oh. And I was writing a book anyway. Anyway, my task for this tour is to visit the west of the city a bit more, which is where Yuyuantan park is.

A park tree well wrapped up aginst the cold and wind

All over Beijing you'll see thousands of these little bikes, with their besom brooms sticking up , which is why the streets and paths are so clean. The park cleaner herself  was having a walk (and a crafty cigarette) on the ice of the lake.

It was by now a pleasant enough day, the wind having disappeared, so I wandered back down to the subway. I  then got off at Xidan, and strolled on down to Tiananmen square in the late afternoon sun.On my way I stopped off to admire the Centre for Performing Arts, AKA the Dome, which is to the west of the square.

Yes, it's really big. And round.

The area around Tiananmen Square is always crawling with police and securuty (wonder why?). It is also the ceremonial centre of the city, so the roads can only really be crossed by underpasses, into which have been installed security checks and X ray machines.

The X ray machines in the Beijing subway and undepasses appear to be a very Chinese compromise. At rush hours one machine per entrance is not nearly enough for the people arriving, expecially as nearly all carry bags, rucksacks and cases, as well as assorted electronics, so it is a combination of random, "Oy! You! Gett that bag scanned!" and voluntary. At times when it is too congested I have seen people just saying "Oh, dammit" and walking around the machines. It's too crowded even to follow and apprehend such people. But around Tainanmen Square, no one risks that, not with the huge police presence.

So I left the photo sellers, and the tourists, and the police in their woolly caps, and the soldiers, and the touts, and headed for home, and grilled prawns with salad.