Day 1 Saturday 10th Nov 2012
We arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Saturday 10th Nov 2012 at 0715 hrs and take off at 0930 hrs for Beijing. We arrived at Beijing Airport at about 1545 hrs, by the time we clear the Custom and found our Tour Guide Miss Han it is already 1630 hrs. We immediately board the Van which can accommodate 13 persons and set off for Dinner.
We had our Dinner at Dalian Seafood Restaurant, and we have Gong Bao Chicken Dice, Stir Fry Pork and Vegetable. We proceed to Shijingshan HNA Hotel right after dinner and Check In to Room 838 and 839 right after Dinner and rest for the Night.
Day 2 Sunday 11th Nov 2012
Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） Stone Statue at Prince Kung Mansion （恭王府）
We went to the Super Market nearby after Breakfast and brought Three Set of Winter Glove and Hat at RMB 150 (S$30) for my Mother, Aunt and Wife. The Tour Guide fetch us at the Hotel at 1100 hrs and set off for Lunch. We have our Lunch at Chong Qin Steam Boat Restaurant, and we have Gong Bao Chicken Slice, Stir Fry Pork, Steam Egg and Vegetables.
We proceed to Solana Shopping Centre （蓝色海湾） right after Lunch. As we have to wait for another Group who will join our Tour Tomorrow we decided to hold our Actual Tour Itinerary until they have join us.
We decided to visit Prince Kung Mansion （恭王府）as part of the Additional Tour since we do not have any plan for the afternoon. The Entrance Fee is actually RMB 80 (S$16) per Person but we pay RMB 90 (S$18) for the Transportation and Tour Guide. I brought 40 x Amulet for RMB 600 (S$120) and 20 x Card for RMB 600 ($120) as Souvenirs for Friends and Relatives.
Prince Kung Mansion （恭王府） is related to a Legend, it was once the Mansion of He Shen （何伸） an Eunuch who was well like by the Qian Long （乾隆） Emperor and Promoted Nine Rank and become the Right Hand Man of the Emperor. He was a Greedy person and have accumulated a lot of Wealth and Treasures from his Post over the Years. There are Three Wonders and One Treasure in his Mansion, the Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） Stone Statue, the Treasure Collecting Pond （聚宝盆）, the Nine Thousands Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Blessings and the Number One Blessing （天下第一福） in the World.
The Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） Stone Statue is form by nature erosion and he brought it back from Jiangnan （江南） when he accompany the Emperor for Tour. It immediately bear him a Son which he have long for and it really resemblance a Women Carrying a Child which look like the Goddess of Mercy （送子观音） which give Blessing to Child Birth.
The Treasure Collecting Pond （聚宝盆） is design in the Shape of a Gold Ingot （元宝）, the Money Trees are Plant around the Pond. The fallen leaves will collect in the Pond which signify Money falling into it. It is greatly related to the Feng Shui of Ancient Chinese Tradition.
There are Nine Thousands Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Wooden Bat （蝠） Craving on the Building in the Mansion, Bat was believe to be direct representation of Blessings （福） in Chinese Wordings. The Number One Blessing in the World Hidden in the Stone Forest （石林） located at the Stomach of the Water Dragon （水龙） complete the Figure to Ten Thousands （万福）.
The Number One Blessing （天下第一福） in the World is a Manuscript written by Kang Xi （康熙） Emperor when his Mother is suffering from Sickness due to Old Age. As the Emperor is believe to be the Son of Heaven （天子）, he bear the direct responsibility to Pray for Blessing （祈福） for the Mother Health. He mediated for Three Days and created this Manuscript which actually bring Good Health to his Mother according to the Legend.
The Manuscript represent five worldly desires with one word other than Many Blessing （多福）, it also represent Many Child （多子）, Many Talent （多才） or Wealth （多财）, Many Land （多田）, Many Longevity （多寿）. As Kang Xi （康熙） Emperor only created Three Pieces of Manuscript in his whole life, this Manuscript had been classified as the Number One National Treasure by the National Leaders and National Culture Department.
We proceed for Dinner after that, and have Stir Fry Chicken, Stir Fry Pork and Vegetables. We return to our Hotel after Dinner and rest for the Night.
Day 3 Monday 12th Nov 2012
Forbidden City （故宫）
We set off for National Theater at 0700 hrs right after our Breakfast, Mr Kwok and his Family of four had join us for the Tour for the Next Three Days. The National Theater is some how very similar to the Esplanade Theater in Singapore. We proceed to visit Tian An Men Square （天安门） and Forbidden City （故宫） after that, due to the 18th National Parliament we have to go through very tight security check before we can enter into the Premise.
The Ancient Chinese Feng Shui Belief was included in Most of the Buildings in China especially Beijing the Capital which originate from Ming Dynasty until now. The North was represented by the Water Element Blue Tortoise which is the Position for Elder in the Family, the East was represented by the Wood Element Green Dragon which is the Position for Son in the Family, the West was represented by the Gold Element White Tiger (this was Earth Element in Korean Culture) which is the Position for Daughter (Thousand Gold Girl) and finally the South was represented by the Fire Element Red Phoenix which is the Position for Servant (this can also be Women as Phoenix are usually related to Women).
The Water Dragon run from West to East where the Head is located at Central South Sea （中南海） Headquarter (The Office for National Leader). The Earth Dragon （土龙） run from North to South which is the Central Line which divide the Beijing City, all the Major Building Locations are aligned to this Central Line including the Forbidden City （故宫）, the Heaven Temple （天坛）, Ming Emperor Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） and even the Recent Year 2008 Bird Nest （鸟巢） and Water Cube （水立方） Olympic Stadium.
We have Lunch after our visit at Forbidden City （故宫）, and have Peking Duck, Stir Fry Chicken, Pork Rib, Steam Fish, Fried Prawn, Fried Egg, Duck Soup and Vegetables. We visit the Tea Shop right after our dinner and was taught on knowledge of Tea as our Previous Jiangnan （江南） Tour.
Pagoda at Heaven Temple （天坛）
We visit the Heaven Temple （天坛） after Lunch, it is the Temple where the Emperor Pray for Blessing from Heaven （祭天）. It had a Centre Stone at the Three Level Platform which most believe a person can hear the Sound from Heaven and Hell when standing directly on it. It had also a Echo Wall （回音墙） which you can hear three repeat echo when you shout standing at the middle of it. The Pagoda is build completely out of Wood and all the structure were joint without any Nails.
We have our Dinner at Cantonese Restaurant after that, and have Curry Chicken, Stir Fry Fish, Sweet Sour Pork, Pork Patties, Fried Egg and Vegetables. We went to watch an Golden Sand Myth （神秘金沙） Acrobat Show after Dinner and went back to Hotel and rest for the night.
Day 4 Tuesday 13th Nov 2012
Great Wall Certificate
We visit Jade Factory after our Breakfast and was taught on knowledge of Jade as our Previous Jiangnan （江南） Tour. The only additional Knowledge is that the Jade Bracelet should be worn on the Left Hand as it is Closest to the Heart (this is similar to Wedding Ring Culture).
We visit Great Wall （长城） after that, my wife only complete half the Journey while my Mother and Aunt only waited below. I have to do one and a half journey as Mr Kwok and his two sons lost their way, as you can guess the additional half journey is done together with the Tour Guide out of Good Will to help locate them. I got a Certificate for RMB 30 (S$6) with Photo of My Wife and Myself on it.
We have Lunch after that, and we have Gong Bao Chicken Slice, Stir Fry Chicken, Pork Knuckle Peanut Soup, Fish Ball Soup, Winter Melon Soup, Braised Tou Fu (Bean Curb) and Vegetables. Mrs Kwok decided to treat my family to the Additional Tour of Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） at RMB 35 (S$7) per person in appreciation of my help to find her family.
Ming Emperor Statue at Thirteen Tomb （十三陵）
The Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） of the Ming Emperor are build at a Feng Shui Location with Longevity Mountain on the North, Green Dragon Mountain to the East, White Tiger Mountain to the West and Red Phoenix Plain to the South. The Red Army Leader Mao Zhe Dong （毛泽东） had decided to build a Dam during the Culture Revolution （文化大革命） in 1949 to stop the Water Dragon （水龙） from flowing through the Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） to his advantage as he fortune is lack of the Water Element. So the Head of the Water Dragon （水龙） had been alter to be in Central South Sea （中南海） Headquarter (The Office for National Leader) instead of Thirteen Tomb （十三陵） during the Mao Era.
There is a Gate of Hell where only the Emperor Coffin and the Carrier can past through, we have to Stomp our feet (Left for Guy, Right for Girl) three time and wipe off the dust on our body and shout “We are back” when we return from the Tomb Visit to prevent any bad fortune from following us.
We went for Tibet （西藏） Foot Massage after that, and the Specialist try very hard to convince us to buy Tibetan Medicine by demonstrating Qi Gong （气功） (Ancient Chinese Martial Art Energy Power). My mother and my aunt decided to buy the Herbal Satchel for Soaking Feet after much persuasion.
We went to Wang Fu Jin Walking Street （王府井步行街） after that, we have various Local Food at Dong Hua Men Eatery Street （东华门小吃街） which is located there. We have our Dinner there too and have Crispy Duck, Fried Fish, Stir Fry Pork, Meat Ball, Braised Tou Fu (Bean Curb) and Vegetables. We ask the Tour Guide to arrange for the Legend of Gong Fu Show （功夫传奇） at the Red Theater （红馆） at RMB 280 (S$56) per person. We went for Night Tour of Chang An Street before we return to Hotel and rest for the night.
Day 5 Wednesday 14th Nov 2012
Pagoda at Summer Palace （颐和园）
We visit the Silk Factory after Breakfast and was taught on knowledge of Silk as our Previous Jiangnan Tour. They have 6th Generation Silk Products which kind of remind me of the relationship of Apple iPhone Generation. I brought a Panda Soft for my Nephew at RMB 480 (S$96). I realise that the same thing sold for RMB 240 (S$48) at the Panda House at the Zoo and RMB 180 (S$180) on the Street.
We visit Summer Palace （颐和园）after that, the Kun Ming Lake （昆明湖） is Shape of the Peach （寿桃） which signify Longevity Sea （寿海） and the Ten Thousand Longevity Mountain （万寿山） is Shape of a Bat （蝠） which signify Blessing Mountain （福山）. The Dragon （龙） was Suppress by the Phoenix （风） in the Summer Palace as the Ci Xi Dowager Empress wish to hold Power and refuse to let the Son Emperor Rule. There was Dragon Statue which stretch out the Claw signify the Emperor Begging for things and the Phoenix is located at the center to signify it Authority over the Dragon.
Giant Panda （大熊猫） at Zoo
We went to visit the Panda House at the Zoo after that, most of the Giant Panda （大熊猫） and Small Panda （小熊猫） were lazy and were taking their afternoon nap. There are also Golden Monkey （金丝猴） there which appear much more active as compare to the Pandas.
We have our Lunch at Thai Village Restaurant, and have Fried Fish, Fried Prawn, Crispy Chicken, Sesame Ball and Vegetables. We visit the Jewellery Shop which is located there, and was taught on knowledge of Jewellery as our Previous Jiangnan Tour. The only additional Knowledge is they demonstrate the Refractive Index of the Precious Stone by the Laser. The Boss actually try to convince us into buying Jewellery by giving us a Gift of Jade Pendant and Generous Discount of RMB 12800 (S$2560) Ruby Ring at the Price of RMB 200 (S$40). I brought a Ruby Necklace at RMB 660 (S$132) as a gift for my mother.
Pan Gu （盘古） IBM Tower Shape Like a Dragon （龙）
We went to visit the Year 2008 Bird Nest （鸟巢） and Water Cube （故宫） Olympic Stadium nearby after that. The Bird Nest Stadium were build to match the International Conference Centre which Shape like the Phoenix （凤） when view from the Top, while the Water Cube （水立方） Stadium were build to match the Pan Gu （盘古） IBM Tower which is Shape like a Dragon （盘古） (as Chinese believe Water will provide Energy for Dragon to Soar the Sky).
Willow Tree at Shi Cha Hai Bar Street
We went to Shi Cha Hai Bar Street （什刹海酒吧一条街） after that and watch the Old Beijing Movement Acrobat Show （老北京动起来） there. Visitor are welcome to give Tips of RMB 10 (S$2) to RMB 20 (S$4) after the Performance and I decided to give RMB 20 (S$4) as I can see they really put in a lot of effort into the Performance.
We have Dinner after that, and have Crispy Duck, Steam Fish, Chicken, Fried and Steam Dumpling, Fried Egg and Vegetables. We went to Silk Street Shopping Centre （秀水街） after that, where I realised the Pricing there were to Slaughter Tourist when the same Panda Soft Toy I brought for RMB 480 (S$96) were selling at RMB 580 (S$116) there. Even Android Tablet which selling at Shenzhen （深圳） at RMB 500 (S$100) were selling there at RMB 1000 (S$200). The worst is when I went to ask about a Micro Fiber Blanket which is selling in Singapore at S$30 (RMB 150), to my surprise they actually ask for RMB 750 (S$150) from the start and finally lower down the pricing to RMB 250 (S$50) after much Bargain.
We arrive at Beijing Airport at 2000 hrs and take off at 2330 hrs for Singapore. We arrived at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 at about 0600 hrs, by the time we clear the Custom, brought some Duty Free and get our Check In Baggage it is already 0700 hrs. We decided to have Breakfast at Starbucks Cafe before we proceed back home.
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