Day 4 Journal

Prompt: Overall impression of Beijing; Did China do a good job of protecting their history? Are the people proud of their history? Most memorable in Beijing: food, moment, cultural thing. What are you most excited for in Xian?(6/10/2010)

Beijing was a great city to explore from the market stands to the Great Wall of China. To be in the capital of China was an amazing experience. Being able to see what life is like in a completely different city is incredible. China’s history was well preserved everywhere we went. The best part is that they know not to keep digging in the tombs with valuables, because if they did, all of the valuables, like pots or vases, would turn to dust after being in contact with the air. Most of the artifacts that were uncovered are behind glass in museums that we went and saw. They also have many statues of important people in history. Our tour guide said that everybody knows most of the statues and heroes and legends of China. The most memorable food in Beijing was the starfish on a stick. I have never seen anything like that before. My most memorable moment was being on the Great Wall of China and climbing the steps toward the top. My most memorable cultural experience was how they make the different types of tea in the tea shop we went to. The one thing I am most excited to see in Xian is the Terracotta Warriors. I can not wait to see them all. To think they were all carved by hand and painted at one time.