We take the Metro to Xizhimen, walk a couple of blocks, and slip into the maze of narrow alleys heading east. Our goal is to eventually reach Baihai Park, but the real joy is wandering without a strict plan.
The hutongs are full of life. Doorways open into hidden courtyards where families — sometimes several generations — live together. Laundry hangs from balconies, bicycles lean against gray brick walls, and the smell of cooking drifts through the alleys.
There are many doorways leading to courtyards where Chinese families and sometimes extended family live.
Don’t try this at home. But can she ride and text at the same time?
Modern Beijing always seems to blend seamlessly with ancient Beijing. A glass tower rises behind a centuries‑old courtyard; a new café sits beside a traditional home with carved wooden doors.
Deshengmen Gate – A Glimpse of Old Beijing
After an hour or two of wandering, we reach Deshengmen Gate, one of the few surviving remnants of the ancient city wall that surrounded Beijing until 1972. It’s a striking reminder of how much of the old city once stood here.
Soong Ching‑ling
On our map we see a place called ‘Former residence of Soong Ching-ling’ and decide to visit it. Soong Ching-ling was the wife of Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary before Mao Zedong, who was the first President of China after the fall of the Manchu dynasty. Soong Ching-ling’s sister, Mei-ling, married Chiang Kai-shek. When China fell to the communists in 1949, Soong Ching-ling backed the communists and remained in China while her sister, Soong Mei-ling fled to Taiwan with her husband. Both the Chinese Nationalists (in Taiwan) and the Communists revere Sun Yatsen.
Security Guard – Soong Chingling residence in Beijing
The residence is in fact a large estate with beautiful tropical gardens, so she lived very well. In the garage sits a large Russian limousine given to Soong by Josef Stalin.
Soong Chingling residence – gardens outside of the home
We leave the residence and walk along Bai Hai Park where several old Chinese men are playing checkers and Mahjong.
Bai Hai Park
Drum & Bell Towers
We continue to walk to the Drum and Bell Tower where we catch the Metro back to the hotel. We had toured the Drum and Bell Tower 2 years ago and really enjoyed it.
Drum Tower as seen from Bell Tower
This area of Beijing is the oldest, dating back to the days of Kublai Khan.
Beef and Green Peppers with Chinese Beer
Dinner and Farewell
At a small restaurant in Henderson Plaza, we have some really good Chinese food with Tsingtao beer. Tomorrow we’ll leave for home, Jeff to Guadalajara, Mexico and I’ll return to Minnesota.
What a fantastic trip we had!!!
Prior: Beijing