Its a visit to the Jade factory enroute to the Ming Dynasty Tombs, Changling. Jade factory has some mind blowing pieces , however , the one that steals the show for us , is the Jade Pot , with six shot cups , with some kind of magnetic mechanism , whereby , when u keep the cup on the base ,from the spout , there is a free flow of the liquid from the pot into the cup . Amazing!
Drive to Mings Tomb , tomb of the Wangli Emperor, Zhu Di and his Empresses , through the Farm District , with fruit orchards on both sides , and some blossoms thrown in, is beautiful . We don't stop for fruit picking at one of the farms ( have done enough of that at London!! J ) , we however , do buy the Dried fruits .... major assortment of plums , berries, kiwi , dates & what nots ! Very berry tasty tasty!
We enter & on both side are the Sacred Silk Burners , which was filled with hard cash , a ritual , to appease the forefathers , it seems ! Ling'en Hall has the this huge statue of the emporer & houses artifacts which belonged to that era. Its like a museum , where history is told & seen in some measure too through these artifacts. The Gold Imperial Crown of the Emperor , including that of the Empress' & her jewellery are intricate & beautiful!
The walking continues after we take the cable to the Great Wall of China. Chalte raho , thats the call here , walk as much as you can , the wall is never ending , leaving a snake like trail for you to follow ! Jahan jahan taak , your eyes can focus , you shall be able to see the Great Wall ! One can't help but reminisce , on the trails, the hardship, that must have undergone to make this Wall. No wonder they say , The Great Wall , is made with the blood , sweat , bones , of the workers, including all else !
We manage to squeeze some time amongst all this walking to walk towards some local shops & buy a few stuff ...... Bargaining is definitely the calling here !
Highlight:
Just like we have Shradh , puja and all for the departed , to pay our homage in their Memory , the same tradition is followed here , for 3 days , which began on 3rd & today , being the last day , was when the family visits & Sweep the ancestral Tombs .
PLACE TO VISIT , Must do on my next trip :
Datong , 5 hours from Beijing , over night stay at Holiday Inn , visit Hanging Temple,Wooden Pagoda & Yungang Grottoes.
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