Beijing - Beihai Park

This morning I got myself some flipflops. I did only bring my hiking boots and they had giving me a lot of blisters on my feet so I needed to get out of them. But.. Unfortunately when it is 35-40 degrees outside and everything on you is sweating I got blisters where the flipflops touched the top of my feet so I was kind of doomed walking around but never the less I did get out.

The first thing I walked into today was the Nation Centre of Performance Art and the building was absolutely amazing if you look at it architecturally. It did not cost me much to go see the building inside and there were a lot to see and experience. Even a pianist was playing in the big hall and the sound was just beautiful.

The National Centre of Performance Art

The National Centre of Performance Art from the inside

The floor alone is art! You get the feeling of being welcome, being very small and at the same time unwelcome because you do not feel fancy enough with shorts, t-shirt and flipflops on. You are able to go to the 5th floor where you will get a good view of the building and the outside of the building.

-- Selfies from the National Centre of Performance Art --

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On my way from the National Centre of Performance Art I got to the Zhongshan Park which it the park that is connected to the Forbidden City. I did not have time to explore this part of the Forbidden City so I went for a walk in the park. It did not cost me much to got into the park and it was quite nice to see all the boats floating around. If only it was big enough so I did not have to run into people all the time but with 21 million people just located in Beijing you will not get much privacy. 

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When I got out of the Zhongshan Park I walked along the wall that keep intruders out from the Forbidden City and all the way to the north end of the city. Here I was able to see and then easily find my way to the Beihai Park and all of that because of the very well-known, white buddhist tower on top of a hill. 

The entrance fee was 20¥ and an extra 10¥ to get up to the white buddhist tower. It is not possible to get up there if you are in any way unable to walk on stairs - however the rest of the park is available. 

I did go all the way to the top and on my way up to the highest pit-stop there were 3 or 4 pit-stops on the way where I was able to buy a piece of red wood where I could write a prayer or a wish on and then hang it among all the other wishes and prayers. On the top of the hill I got to see the white buddhist tower up close - I was a bit disappointed not to be able to get into this thing but that is how it is. The way down from the top was easy.