No entrance

The center of Beijing is dominated by the enormous walled area of the former imperial palace, where the emperor uncontested ruled the empire. Construction began in 1406 and the last emperor abdicated in 1912.

Hall of Supreme Harmony in Forbidden City, Beijing

Guardians

The roofs are protected by various mythological creatures.

Forbidden City, Beijing

A pile of bricks

In the 7th century BC minor walls were built to protect the vassal states. These were linked together during the Qin Dynasty in 200 BC, forming the original Great Wall to keep out the marauding nomads in the north.

Great Wall, Badaling section

Run for the hills

Sometimes the ascent gets a little bit steep.

Climbing the Great Wall at Badaling

Backseat gamer

Street in Beijing

Spot the foreigner

I blend in like a chameleon in Asia.

Reine in the Beijing subway

A day in the life

The traditional hutongs are narrow alleys formed by lines of residential houses. During the last 50 years a lot of hutongs have been demolished to make way for modern buildings.

A hutong in Beijing

Modest crib

Archery Tower, Beijing

Go bananas

We managed to find a nice club in the middle of nowhere, getting quite a lot of attention since we were almost the only foreigners in there.

Banana Club, Beijing

The sound of music

We came across this odd building where someone was singing Chinese songs.

Tiantan park, Beijing

Beneath the kites

The sculpture is called Wuyue Feng (May Wind), but it's probably a Transformer in disguise.

May Fourth Square, Qingdao

The dying sun

Qingdao

The old man and the sea

Reine in Qingdao

Hit the road

Qingdao

Men with hats

Most of the vendors at the annual festival were crazy. These funny guys were singing and joking all the time.

Qingdao

Departure

We left Qingdao as the sun set and boarded the ferry towards Korea.

Reine in Qingdao harbor

Across the Yellow Sea

Yellow Sea