Although the Beijing City Zoo was filled with animals from all over the world, the cages and facilities were quite dated. It was interesting to see all the tigers and the rest of the animals including the pandas. The Aquarium on the other hand is quite modern and was interesting. We hope the zoo will be updated and better facilities are available for the animals as it was quite sad to see how small the living spaces were.
	The Ming Tombs were interesting to learn about how the emperors were burried and other interesting facts, however they were fairly closed off for any 'wandering' as you weren't allowed onto the actual mound of dirt (covered with trees) where the emperor is burried. The details carved into the stone that you can see in the pictures were still preserved which shows you how much work went into the tombs.
	The War Museum was ok, but it was not in English so it was difficult to understand who some of the people were and what the displays showed. There was a huge amount of military vehicles, guns and displays including pictures of Mao and other military leaders. We did the museum at the end of our trip and we were 'Museumed and Templed Out' but we did get to see the whole museum. The Korean War museum is about the same size however is better.

Forbiden City The Forbiden City is quite large. There are quite a number of buildings that look like temples. We walked from the south to the north and followed the crowds. There are ramps that lead to the centre of the buildings that are gated off as it is only for the emperor to walk up. We heard from someone we met on the airplane that some people (students) charged up the ramp and were caught and put in a waggon and taken away. The City was well preserved and impressive though as you go from one building to the next it seems relatively the same; the emperor's throne was in the middle of the building facing south. It was interesting to learn how the building were heated with pipes that ran under the buildings. The garden was actually quite well preserved and had some cool rock formations and nice detailed architecture.

Summer Palace The Summer Palace was really nice, again very big with a frozen lake. There are lots of walkways and buildings to relax and enjoy the outdoors so it is easy to understand how it was enjoyable for royalty to live. It was still very cold but very beautiful as well. Check out the pictures to get a better sense of the Palace.

		Great Wall The Great Wall was interesting and exhausting to climb. We climbed the Badaling section which is very steep and pretty. The Wall was mostly rebuild though the stones were the same as you could tell how worn the stones were. I would have liked to go to a less touristy section of the wall however we didn't have enough time to fit it in.
		Temple of Heaven The Temple of Heaven is south of Tianemen Square and is now used as a park. People buy seasonal passes so they can hang out, gamble sing, etc... etc... It was sort of weird that you were only allowed to walk on the paths and not go off the pathways into the trees and grassy sections. The actuall temple is now used only for tourists and the north temple is being rebuilt so were were not able to see it. The south temple was interesting to see and if you clook closely at one of the pictures the temples were buiild similarly to the old buildings in England (hay, animal fur, mud, and small stones). Though the temples are not used for relegious perposes they are still quite well preserved.

Classical and Modern Chinese Furniture It was difficult to find the Furniture market that I read about in a few of the guide books but we finally got to check out the furniture and we were both relatively impressed with both the faux antique (rustic) and modern pieces that were on display. I got a few business cards and am hoping to follow up and contact a few people. The prices were reasonable though I'm sure bargaining a bit would have made it fairly inexpensive which is what you need if you think about shipping.

Shopping in Beijing Shopping in Beijing is relatively overrated and the prices in the shopping centres, Wanfujing, and factories (on a tour) were basically the same as any other city. There are however great buys to be had elsewhere in the streets and markets. Don't bother with the factories that you visit on the tours either too much $$$.   We found the Pearl Market right next to the Temple of Heaven was the best place to get a bargain. There is also a toy market just behind the Pearl Market which is pretty good too. The only thing that gets to you is the smell on the bottom floor due to the fish market in the basement.   Ya Show was also a great shopping centre (kind of a mall of market stallls) but since the people most likely had to pay more for their stalls, they were also less likely to give you a good price. The Silk Market was pretty much the same as Ya Show with good selection, but it is overrated, and we didn't find it good for bargaining.   Blair Cooper told us to check out the PLA store which was kind of hard to find, but we eventually got there and it was great! The prices were non negotiable, but it was only because it's a ligit government store. It is where the Chinese Army and other local people buy Army type stuff. I was able to get a good pair of leather military shoes for 132 RBM which is about $16 for work, a good quality Alpine Summit Tent as well as a military water cannister   Acobat Show I was not impressed by the theatre however the show was great. The performers were all very talented, strong and flexible. If you go to Beijing, you have to check it out . Ours was included with our tour but i don't think it is much money. Some of the props were not 'real' and helped the performers from not making mistakes, but the tricks were impressive enough to forget about the props..