GARY AND RHONDA GO TO CHINA: October 13-20, 2012
Gary is invited to moderate and speak at a conference of agricultural economists in Bejing, China. Rhonda grabs this amazing opportunity to accompany Gary to the Orient. We leave early to spend four days touring historical attractions in and around Bejing. We fly from Houston Intercontinental to Bejing via Washington Dulles, an 18-hour trip. The flight from Dulles heads north over Hudson Bay and the North Pole, then south over Siberia and the Gobi Desert before arrival in Bejing. This is Rhonda's longest flight ever. Gary has flown further on trips to Japan and Australia.
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| Flying toward Polar Ice Cap |
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| Icy View from Airline Window |
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| Rhonda upon Arrival at Bejing International Airport on August 13th | |
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FULL-DAY TOUR OF CLASSIC BEJING: August 14, 2012
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| Gate to Beautiful Temple of Heaven | |
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| Temple of Heaven, China's Largest Temple and Altar Complex |
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| Tour Guide Kong and Son Flyer on Temple of Heaven Stairs |
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| Tibetan Dancers in Tiantan Park, Outside Temple of Heaven |
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Infamous Tiananmen Square, Site of 1989 Massacre of Pro-Democracy Protestors
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| Nearing Gate of Heavenly Peace, Front Entrance to Forbidden City |
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| Placard reads "Long Live the People's Republic of China" |
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| Looking toward Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City |
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| Throne in Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City |
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| XiHua Gate, Forbidden City |
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| Buddhist Incense Temple & Temple of the Sea of Wisdom, Summer Palace |
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| Royal Dragon outside Jinghu Pavilion, Summer Palace |
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| Hall of Happiness and Longevity, Summer Palace |
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| Ferry Boat on Kunming Lake, Summer Palace |
GREAT WALL OF CHINA AT MUTIANYU: August 15, 2012
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| The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, 112 Miles Northeast of Bejing |
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| Ancient Mutianyu Wall Includes Watchtowers, Inner and Outer Parapets |
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| Mutianyu Wall Runs along Fourteen Miles of Overlapping Mountain Ranges |
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| View from One of Twenty Two Mutianyu Watchtowers |
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| Granite Walls Are 7-8 Meters High and 4-5 Meters Wide |
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| Mutinayu Is Longest Section of Restored Wall in China |
SUMMER PALACE, PANDA GARDEN AND LAMA TEMPLE: August 16, 2012
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| Paiyun Gate, Summer Palace |
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| Ready to Climb to Xiangyanzongyin Pavilion, Summer Palace |
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| Xiangyanzongyin Pavilion from Duobao Pagoda, Summer Palace |
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| View of Kunming Lake from Xiangyanzongyin Pavilion, Summer Palace |
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| Lotus Gardens along Kunming Lake, Summer Palace |
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| Zhaotai Gate Entrance to Lama Temple |
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| Ceremonial Incense Worship outside Hall of Yonghe, Lama Temple |
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| Hall of Falun, Lama Temple |
GREAT WALL OF CHINA AT BADALING: August 17, 2012
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| Badaling, Most Visited Section of Great Wall |
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| Wall at Badaling -- 50 Miles Northwest of Downtown Bejing |
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| Extremely Steep and Crowded Steps at Mountain's Base |
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| Chinese Tourists Collect Photos with Americans! |
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| Crowds Thin Near Mountaintop |
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| What Goes Up, Must Come Down... |
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Ming Tombs, Burial Site of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty
Above Photo: Dingling Tomb of Emperor Wanli (reigned 1573-1619),
13th Emperor of Ming Dynasty |
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| View of Stele Pavilion from Dingling Tomb, Ming Tombs |
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| Great Palace Gate, Ming Tombs |
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| Bird's Nest, 2008 Olympic Stadium |
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| Conference Dinner Hosted by Pei Guo, Dean of Chinese Agricultural University |
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| After-Dinner Entertainment |
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| Gary with Chinese Waitresses |
While we're still recovering from jet lag and sleeplessness, our trip to China was definitely worth the price! The historical attractions in Bejing exceeded our highest expectations. With the exception of one misty morning, we were blessed with four amazingly clear touring days. Apparently, October is one of the best months to visit this area. If you ever have the opportunity, definitely give it a go!!
