The Beginning

We came upon this outdoor market in XIAN, the vendors stretched a block long each with their specialties. Now how appetizing does this look? We wanted to taste them but reframed from doing so.

This pic shows the perimeter water canal surrounding the Forbidden City in the centre of Beijing. The haze is actually smog.

If you look closely you will spot Sharon in the white coat and copper coloured hair. This walk on the Great Wall is truly an experience of a lifetime. This wall stretches for more than five thousand kilometers from east to west like a gigantic dragon wriggling its way across deserts, grasslands and mountains. It took more than 2 millennia to be completed, beginning from the 7th century BC until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). There were sections that the climb was at a extreme angle and care was taken to hold on the rails. Going up was difficult and more so coming down. I encourage you to make this a destination to visit.

This brick arch is located on the mountain side just outside XIAN close to where the find of the Terra Cotta Soldiers are. This hill side was where Jung had hid with some of his army and was captured. The collilition was formed and the communist party gained control over China. Jung (democratic) made it to Tiawan and set up government there.