September 4, 2010 – Day 23.
On arrival in Beijing, we found our luggage and went through customs. Viking Cruise people met us and other couples at the airport, handled the luggage and transported us to 2, 5-star hotels. After checking in at the Weston, and getting the safe to work by the hotel people, we hit the sack about 2 A.M. A 5 A.M wake up call started our day with a large choice of food at the breakfast buffet. Our day started at 8:30 by meeting other cruisers and our escort, Daniel, (not his real name) who will be with us the entire stay in China. On the way to Tiananmem Square and the Forbidden City, Daniel gave us information on what to expect before starting his tour talk. At the Forbidden City, we learned about the Ming & Qing dynasties, Chinese superstitions, traditions, customs, emperors, the Dragon Lady and other history as well the beauty of the area. Some emperors had up to 55 wives but slept alone. Only the first wife was the empress. There were multiple status of “picking order” for the other wives. Normally the oldest son was the aire to the throne, thus some premature deaths; this changed as to will of the emperor. Emperors normally died in their late teens or early 20’s but some lived long lives. One of the last took the throne at age 3. This is when the Dragon Lady came in to “unofficial” power as this emperor was her son and she controlled his decisions from the behind the curtain behind throne. He died young, she picked a nephew to be next who also died young, and again she picked another nephew to control. She basically ruled from behind the scene from age 27 until she died at the age of 72 a day after picking her 3rd emperor. She brought many artistic developments to the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace was one of her favorite spots. It was the summer retreat and playground for the imperial family and royal court during the Qing Dynasty. It is very beautiful, situated between mountains and a large lake with wonderful landscape and many artful structures. While there, we took a ride on a dragon boat. On the way back to the hotel the driver stopped on the shoulder of road exits where pictures were taken of the Olympics Bird Nest and Water Cube, while Daniel explained history & facts. We went back to our room briefly before grabbing a taxi to & from the Beijing Hard Rock Café where Jan got her 92nd Guitar Pin (the 2nd & last of this trip). The evening was capped off by a buffet at the hotel talking with others of the trip. As the tour traveled between the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace a stop was made for a buffet at another 5-star hotel. The day was enjoyable and interesting but tiring.