A day in Yan Qing

Trip to Beijing – Part1 – Yan Qing

I visited a village with ski resort, named Yan Qing. The average temperature there is -7 day time, probably -15 at night.

Me waiting at the bus stop, this picture will show you how cold I am… *~*

It is time like this…when the sun don’t do his job, I wish I can hug someone or maybe have a bottle of wine with me to keep me warm. Honestly, I don’t know how long I can stand in this temperature. Urg…when will the bus arrive?

The village with a beautiful landscape of mountain. I spend years drawing mountain with Chinese Ink. Yet, when I really get a chance to see it with my own eyes… it look so fake.

In this village, we don’t have much choice when come to transport. Here’s one waiting to be taken. But, can I ride horse?

Certainly, I can. ^_~ But, very very very slowly….

They are tame and friendly.

Don’t feel envy…I put myself in danger to walk on this ice. If it ever break…God know where I am now. But…feels good! Hurey….I even jump on the ice!

My first meal in a farmer’s kitchen. All kind of herbs, taste a little weird but good (only after I got used to it…no choice…already ordered ^_~).

If you wonder why I look so “big” in my ski jacket…. that’s because I wore 4 layers of shirt, plus 3 layers of pants inside the ski jacket to keep warm! I never know I am so fragile…well, rather be big than being frozen.

I had quite a breathtaking experience on this mountain. I am glad I made it and survived. My advise to any first timer…GET A COACH! I simply over estimate my ability.

Anyway, one thing I enjoy is to have rosy cheek naturally on my face…I look lovely…do you agree?

Night – Ice & Light Show

Everything is make of ice. If you ask me how it feel? Very nice…yet super cold! This is the only word I will repeat for 10 thousand time in this post. I can’t feel my hands, my legs, my face, my…….. all got frozen.

On my way walking back to the farmer’s house, where I spend my night, I pass by this little store that sell food. In Chinese, we call “Xian Ping”, taste a little like our fried “Pok Piah”.

Oh, I forgot to mention…it was a night with thousand star. “When is dark enough, you will see the star”. Simply beautiful.

I also bought some tidbits for supper.

1) The frozen persimmon (as hard as ice – need to defrost it with heater)
2) Wine Red Dates (I just need some alcohol…in any form)
3) Almond & Chestnut (something like that..not too sure)

Morning ~ Breakfast ~ Back to Beijing City

Corn porridge with side dish. Simple food, yet it taste so good. Actually, anything warm taste good.

Lastly, waiting for bus again…at the entrance of the villager’s house. I wonder…if the corn porridge I ate taken from here…I hope not. ^_~

The coldest trip I ever took…an amazing experience.

I would want to visit this place again…maybe during summer. ^_~

Greetings from Beijing

I am away from 9 Feb till 16 Feb in China… total of 8 days away from a warm country, to a superb cold country which is said to have the worst snow storm in the Southern area. All my friends think I am crazy and asked me to cancel my trip. But, I didn’t…because I am going to the north. Beijing located at the north, quite a distance a way from the storm area. China is HUGE…and I am nothing close.

So, I went.

Beijing is cold, yet I miss the chances to write my name on the snow. By the time I am there, is already the 6th nine (read my previous post titled “A snow letter”). Beijing no longer snow, in fact…getting warmer. The average temperature is 3 degree in the morning and probably -7 degree at night. The worst I encounter is -10 (I guess…maybe more) at the villages located the most north area of Beijing. Both my hands and legs are frozen and started to hurt. I walk on my toes to constantly to keep my feet alive. There isn’t other way to see the ice show but to be physically there, walking on the ice, looking at the great craftsmanship

龙庆峡 (冰灯） Ice Show

I manage to visit several places, experiencing the life, the food and communicating with people to have a little more insight about this place. Other then sight seeing, I also visit the local New Year Carnival at “Di Tan”(Temple of Earth), experience what local Beijing’s people did during Chinese New Year.

I also went to ski…having the snow wind blowing straight to my face (face got frozen), fall for 5 times and decided this wasn’t my type of game. Thanks to my flexibility from practicing BBalance, which enable me to twist and turn during my fall without injury.

石京龙滑雪场  Ice skiing

The next day, I went to the famous Great Wall of China in the temperature of probably -3 degree, with 3 layers of pans and cloths. Yet, when the wind blows, it almost takes me away. The only reason I am still there is because I became a frozen ice cream that stuck to the ground ^_~. The only way to keep warm is to keep on the legs work (climbing) and our body will generate sufficient heat to keep me alive. I praise God for such amazing body. Yet, climbing up the narrow slope of the Great Wall during winter, layers of cloths and winter jacket wasn’t an easy task to begin with. I start to wonder if I have nothing better to do but to challenge myself this way.

Great Wall八达岭长城

After all the freezing sensation, with lots of legs work…I went to hot spring at “Little Hot Spring Hill”. Again, it sound nice but wasn’t too easy to execute. Imagine taking off layers of cloths in the evening of -5 degree, stepping into a hot spring pond at 40-50 degree. My body is boiling but my head was frozen. An extreme contrast of temperature…yet it relief all the muscle aching and improve blood circulation. I wouldn’t ask for more.

益泉温泉Hot spring 

The last 2 days is all about visiting the 798 Factory areas where all the local artist and creative people run their studio and gallery.

I also went to the local market to check out the fresh ingredient available. They have good variety of vegetables, meat and fruit even during winter. Thanks to the great invention of the green house planting method.

I also visited the Olympic Stadium in Beijing, the most happening place gonna be…coming August 2008.

Alright, that’s the summary of my trip. I would talk a little more about the food, the places and things I experience (like the toilet?) in the next few posts. Stay tune!