China 2013 : Of Beihai Park and Peking Duck

A quick summary of my China trip  :
Day 1
Hangzhou - Xihu (West Lake) - Lei Feng Pagoda - Zhongshan Road

Day 2
Shanghai - Pudong - Huangpu - The Bund - French Concession - Tian Zi Fang

Day 3
Yu Garden - Nan Luo Gu Xiang

Day 4
Beijing - Tian An Men - Beihai Park

Day 5
Great Wall of China - Wang Fu Jing St

Day 6 
Summer Palace

After Tian An Men, we actually visited Beihai Park. It's a massive garden which was previously an imperial garden. I suppose in ancient days, this must be part of the Forbidden City complex but has since been made a public park.

This park is also in the UNESCO World Heritage Site! 

An entrance fee is required to visit the park. It costs RMB 5 for an adult. More information on the park can be found here.

Somehow, I had never envisage such a park to be made public in China. Perhaps, from economic utilisation perspective, this would be a pure waste of resource. Therefore, I didn't find it a surprise to see many of such boats and paddle boats for tourist to hire. The park itself is huge, so getting around by a boat may not be a bad idea, while generating income for the locals. 

Nevertheless, it's always good to have such a place to enjoy the nature together with family and friends. You could see many multi-generation families enjoying some quality weekends here. Of course, there are also many tourist groups given the fame of this park.

Another type of motor boat that you could hire for a day just to get around the park by water transport. 

And you'll feast your eyes to such view at a closer distance!

This pavilion is actually a tea house. Judging by the enormous size, I would think that the price is pretty steep too! 

And not too far away, if you're a machinery fan, this Victorian-style building here is actually the China Railway Museum. You could pay a visit if you're interested in the history of railway in China.

A few steps away, you'll see the National Museum of China as well. Due to time constraint, we didn't actually enter these sites.

Continue walking and you'll find yourself at the Monument to the People's Heroes. It is actually right in front of the Mausoleum of Mao Ze Dong if you check the map. This monument was apparently erected to remember to struggle of the revolution martyrs during the 19th and 20th centuries. And if you do get closer, you could see an inscription in Mao Ze Dong's handwriting which reads, "Eternal glory to people's heroes"!

Finally, we complete the big round in that vicinity and ended at the entrance of Beihai Park again. I was quite fortunate to see a small family of duck waddling in the pond. 

There was also an elderly man showing his calligraphy skills. Don't worry, it's not vandalism in action! It was just a huge brush, which looks like a mop, and the elderly man was using water, not ink. 

After a full day of walking, we finally went to hunt for Peking Duck and like all tourists, we flock to Quan Ju De, 全聚德. This place is famous for its Peking Roast Duck and it's no ordinary restaurant. On our way in, we see the walls were filled with photos of dignitaries and artistes. 

I believe part of the charges is actually for this live cutting up of the roast duck in such a skillful manner. The chef would push the roast duck out in a trolley and demonstrate the cutting up process to the anticipating audience.

And this is the end result. Bon appetit!