Beijing, Part 2
…Once we’d found our footing in Beijing, we were ready for our first big adventures as tourists in the mega city.
The Summer Palace
The main entrance is massive and build on a hill with stairs between the building complex.
Our first major outing was to the Summer Palace, expanded in the 1700s by Emperor Qianlong as a lavish lakeside retreat and later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi, one of China’s most powerful women. She loved shopping and therefore it’s a lot of beautiful areas with markeds and small shops that is still open today. The buildings are indescribably pretty, and the vast Kunming Lake, covering 2.2 square kilometers, was entirely man-made because the emperor wanted a lake in his garden escape. that’s pretty crazy! It’s says that there is an underground path between the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace too.
Even in the August heat, it was magical: lotus-covered water, paddle boats, and the shaded Long Corridor with its thousands of painted scenes. The kids loved the space to run (and the ice cream), while we soaked in the mix of history, beauty, and calm which made us stay all day.
This lake is not natural, but made by men for emperor Qianlong.
Beautiful details on one of many, many buildings at the summer palace.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
A few days later, we took a tourist bus to Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. 1,5 hour ride from Beijing. This part of the Wall was originally built in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, designed to guard Beijing’s northern passes.
Happy family!
We’d been warned about August crowds — and they weren’t exaggerating. We stood in line to get into a line to get into another line, all in 35°C heat with nearly 80% humidity. It was exhausting, especially for the kids.
But then… we stepped onto the Wall itself.
Isn’t it beautiful?
The air felt lighter and not crowded at all. The views rolled endlessly over green mountains, and the stone pathway snaked away into the horizon like a dragon’s back. Standing there, it was impossible not to think about the sheer human effort that went into building it. Again, man made. How is it even possible…?!
The ride down, a long, winding toboggan slide, was pure joy for all four of us! We laughed all the way down, unaware of another wait at the bottom for the shuttle back. A day full of queues, yes, but also a day we’ll talk about for years.
It was healing for the norwegian trolls to get up in the mountains for a day.
The markets
If the Summer Palace was beauty, and the Wall was history, the markets were pure excitement. The kids loved them most of all. The colors, the smells, the noise, the toys, the snacks — it was a feast for every sense.
Astrid and Hannes have surprised us with how adventurous they’ve been with food. They’ve tried spicy noodles, grilled potatoes, bao buns, even octopus. And of course, the sugar-coated fruit skewers that look like little glass jewels. They’re sticky, sweet, and impossible not to smile about.
Streets after streets with markeds in Beijing
This woman served us the most delicious Bao Buns!!
The people
Somewhere in these days, I realized I’d fallen a little in love with the people here. The strong cheekbones, the thick hair, the warm and knowing eyes. The sound of Mandarin — melodic even when fast.
In public spaces like parks and the subway, people have been curious and warm, especially towards the kids. At work, they might not smile much, but outside of that role, they offer candy, start conversations, and so many ask for photos with us. It’s a connection we didn’t expect to be so sincere, but one that’s made Beijing feel safe and welcoming.
We looked at them and they looked at us.
A city we could stay in for longer..
Beijing has been intense, beautiful, challenging, and so much more than we expected.
We could easily have stayed here for a month. There are still countless temples, parks, and neighborhoods we never reached because of the big crowds and time. But for now, we leave with a suitcase full of memories, a phone full of photos, and a very good start on our journey in China!!
Next stop: Pingyao.