Beijing Day 2 - Exploring the vast complex of the Ming Tombs

The second day started out real early as we needed to meet our tour guide at 7am. Yes, that early! As a result, we rushed through breakfast just to get to the hotel lobby on time where we will be picked up.

We hopped on the van, along with the other folks who will be joining us, to start the long journey towards the Ming Tombs. To start off, our tour guide provided a few details about Beijing and how life goes on around here. There’s also a bit of introduction amongst the folks who are with us in the van. So, all in all, we were 8 – a Japanese couple, a solo traveler from Hong Kong, and our group.

Beijing Day 1 - Reliving the Olympic spirit at the Olympic Green

Still having plenty of daylight left, we headed on to the Olympic Green – the venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The vast complex is really grandeur. Spanning about 2,800 acres, the iconic structures which identify the place really stood out. Also, the wide open spaces can surely fit in thousands of patrons at any given time. A really nice place to explore!

Bird's Nest in daylight

The commute towards here is relatively easy. We just hopped on the subway, transferred a few lines, and a few minutes later got to the Olympic Sports Center station.  

Beijing Day 1 - Learning about Chinese history and heritage at the Capital Museum

We woke up a bit late to get some sleep as we took the midnight flight into China’s capital.  Luckily for us, we still got to avail of the breakfast buffet at the hotel which served a really nice combination of both Asian and Western flavors. However, as it was bird flu season during this time, we avoided all poultry dishes just to be sure.

We decided to take it easy on our first day. Right after breakfast, we explored the vicinity of the hotel to see where we can buy some necessities like drinking water. We didn’t go far to get to the nearest 24 hour local convenience store. There were lots of products to choose from so it was like a mini supermarket of sorts. Great find!

facade of Beijing's Capital Museum

Then, we headed on to the nearest subway station to get to the Capital Museum. Thinking it was just a few blocks away – judging from the map – we decided to walk. Apparently, blocks here in Beijing are really wide so after 30 minutes, we were dead tired. Giving up on the idea, we just took a cab to get to the station as it was just too much effort on foot.

Hong Kong Day 4 - Joining in prayer at the Chi Lin Nunnery

Strolling around Nan Lian Garden was such a therapeutic and relaxing experience. To add a bit more to the serene feeling, we ventured next to Chi Lin Nunnery just across the garden. You don’t even need to trouble yourself with crossing the street as there is a footbridge that connects both places. Very convenient!

temple grounds

Hong Kong Day 5 - Last minute shopping and grocery hunting at Causeway Bay

Staying at Causeway Bay has a lot of perks for those who love to shop and window shop. There’s a wide array of everything at this place – from high end fashion brands to street side markets. There’s so much to see, hear, taste, and do here that one day isn’t even enough to explore. With that, we started early as this is the last day of our stay here at the vibrant and dynamic city of Hong Kong.

Causeway Bay at night
courtesy of www.discoverhongkong.com

Hong Kong Day 4 - Appreciating nature at Nan Lian Garden

It’s out and about in Kowloon for the day. Wanting to experience something more close to nature, we paid a visit to Nan Lian Garden. It’s easily accessible via the MRT network - only one MRT ride away from the city center!

Nan Lian Garden gate

Not a staple tourist attraction of Hong Kong, this place gives visitors some space to take a breath of fresh air. It’s a very nice place to visit especially for those folks who are already tired of the city’s noise as it immediately gives a peaceful vibe once you enter. It felt like I just went to an oasis of calm within the bustling metropolis.

long winding paths

Hong Kong Day 3 - Finding inner peace at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Today, we set out to the parts of Hong Kong not frequented by many tourists – the northern part of the New Territories.  Our destination is quite a unique one as it is quite hidden. Not in the sense that it is inaccessible but rather because it will take a keen eye to spot its location. So, the destination is actually the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

Located in Sha Tin, this place has been gaining the attention of travellers recently since many are intrigued by its name. What’s not to be curious about finding ten thousand Buddhas all situated in one place?

Hong Kong Day 2 - Enjoying the seaside atmosphere at Stanley Bay

If you think Hong Kong is just all about the hustle and bustle of the city, then you haven’t been exploring hard enough. There are so many places here where you can get a relaxing vibe – places where you can actually slow down and enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace.

One of those places is Stanley Bay. Located on the south side of Hong Kong Island, this place is likely to transport you to a side of Hong Kong you didn’t think would exist.

small boats around Blake Pier