Northern China-Xi'an

Last stop on my northern China trip.  After Beijing we traveled to Xi'an.  We toured the Terracotta Warriors and explored the city.

7 Sages Xi'an Hostel

Hostel Room.  Probably the nicest I have ever stayed at for only $24 a night for 2 people.

Terracotta Warrior

The factor where they make the warriors.

Pit 1 discovered by village farmers in 1974.

Exploring a village market.

Big paint brushes used to write.

Drying their meat in the sun.

Spotted......Dunkin Donuts!

Pork Floss flavored donut......yum! No I did not try it.

Discovered, Wal-Mart!

Northern China-Beijing

After Harbin, we traveled to Beijing. We explored the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and of course, The Great Wall of China.

Happy Dragon Hostel-Beijing

Forbidden City

Forbidden City

Forbidden City Garden area

The Temple of Heaven 

The Summer Palace lake

The Summer Palace and the wonderful pollution in China

Pearls.  Our tour also took us to an oyster factor.  They produce fresh water pearls, and each oyster has 20-25 pearls inside.

"W" for Wall

Riding up to the top of the wall

The weather was very hazy and smoggy, so it was difficult to get good pictures of the wall.  

Shannon and I on the Great Wall of China

The stairs were very steep.  It some points we were using our hands to climb straight up.   

Taboggan ride down the hill

Being silly at the art museum

Northern China-First Stop Harbin

Over my Christmas and New Years holiday, I traveled to northern China.  Everyone kept warning me about how cold it was going to be, so I prepared by bringing heavy sweaters and jackets, and many layers.   I have been to the snow many times, been snow camping, but nothing compared. It was beyond cold!! The coldest weather I have ever experienced.

We started our trip in Harbin, China. It is in northeastern China, almost at the Russian border.  The weather was about -24 C which is about -12 F and that temperature was the high!! The main attraction in Harbin is the annual snow and ice festival.

Just arrived!

All bundled up in the cold weather!

Exploring Harbin

The northern most Starbucks in Asia!! Yes, Shannon and I did have to take a picture of it, and we also went there twice.

Bundled up, face mask and all.  Everyone on the trip bought a face mask, and it was the best thing we all bought.  They were a necessity! 

Snow sculpture.  I am standing next to it, which gives you an idea of the size. 

Candied apples on a stick!

Huge snow sculpture.  The small people next to it gives you an idea of the size.  

Harbin China

Ice Sculpture

Me on the ice slide!

Christmas morning Starbucks breakfast!