27.10.11

Transsiberian, Transmongolian ... Beijing



After six nights – and days – by train, with stops at a number of places (see previous posts) and after about four weeks of travelling, Beijing was the final destination. I had already visited Beijing and this time it was for a short visit before the flight back to Paris, so the few pictures I show will give a very limited view of the city.

My impression, nine years after my previous visit, was that the city is much cleaner, that the traffic is more fluid - with a large amount of recent cars, that even more modern buildings have replaced the traditional “hutongs”, that public toilets are much cleaner … and that it’s difficult to see the sun even a “sunny day”. However I saw many more electric vehicles in Beijing than I have seen in any European city, and efforts are clearly made to get cleaner air, but the problem is huge.

During the short stay, there was just time to visit the very central part – the “Forbidden City”, the Jingshan Park, the Beihai Lake (park), the Tien'anmen Square, the Changpu River Park, some hutongs, the Wangfuijing (shopping) Street with the same trademarks as elsewhere in the world… and to have some nice meals including an excellent Peking Roast Duck.

(The last picture shows the portrait of a French ex-prime minister, surprisingly covering a wall.)

I will make a last post about this Transsiberian – Transmongolian trip, with views of trains, through wagon windows, railway stations…

16 comments:

Olivier said...

il y a de tres beaux temples, j'adore ca

Thirtytwo degrees said...

Thanks so much for such an interesting look at Beijing. I had no idea that there were so many rich Chinese able to afford Hermes, Gucci, Chanel, etc...trying to look like Paris, Rome, London, and NYC it would appear. Maybe they will understand Breakfast at Tiffany's now...

Catherine said...

it is always interesting to revisit a city and record relections of change - interesting...

lyliane six said...

Pauvre Pouy qui a vécu si malheureux dans ce palais! que de fleurs et de couleurs, le rouge domine....
As tu goûté à ces jolies petites bestioles empalées?

Nathalie H.D. said...

Canard laqué à Pékin, ça doit être suprême !

Nathalie H.D. said...

PS - C'est une bonne idée de faire un billet rien que sur les trains et les gares. Je m'en réjouis d'avance.

hpy said...

Lots of smoky fog everywhere. A pity.

Thérèse said...

Ils mangent les scorpions, geants mais peut-etre moins nocifs qu'ici, en brochettes???
On se demande la signification des deux policiers dont l'un sur "son propre trone" a Tiananmen Square.
Tres informatives ces photos.

Maria O. Russell said...

China and its millenarian culture fascinates me.

I forgot what the color red means to its people though...

Fantastic video, Peter!

Thank you.

Starman said...

These could have been great pictures if it were not for the smog. It's good to know they're working on a solution. I love the colors and the architecture.

Paris Paul said...

Fantastic shots! Thanks again for sharing them, Peter!

Shionge said...

Indeed like you I think Beijing is cleaner but so so so many more people, the crowds in the subway just overwhelmed me :(

Trotter said...

I'll come back to see this whole trip as it deserves...

Ruth said...

The smog is astonishing, though I'm glad to hear there are so many electric vehicles there! We used to say, when we lived in L.A., that we didn't trust any air we couldn't see. Funny, but not!

Virginia said...

P,
As we talked about once, I've always thought I'd love to visit China. I loved your photos although you're right, the smog seems to be a real issue still. Glad it was cleaner etc. You had a remarkable trip. Thank you for sharing all of our photos with us. One day you'll have to tell me how in the world to do a Youtube slideshow. I"ve no clue!
V

LeenaH said...

Nice to see all those photos of Beijing - my posts from China are here http://www.photoblog.com/marjalee/category/46954/
If you do not have any other doing :)

Nice weekend to you and yours Peter!