January 30 part 4: Hutong Tour of “Old Beijing"

I think this was probably my favorite part of our touring in Beijing.  We took a rickshaw ride through some of the old part of Beijing.  It was a very comfortable ride with a blanket for warmth.  There were a few of what we would call “close calls” with “traffic” but pretty typical for Beijing, I guess!  By this point we are kind of getting used to it.  Haha.

Hutong Tour

We stopped here and went in for lunch in a local family’s home.

They cooked SO much food for our group!  They kept bringing out more different foods.

Heading out the front door of the family’s home.

Outside their front door.

We then boarded the rickshaws for a ride back the same way we came!

January 30 part 3: Imperial Garden

From the Forbidden City, we walked out into the Imperial Garden.  It wasn’t quite what we were expecting.

Imperial Garden

Then we boarded the bus and drove to our Hutong Tour.

I had to take a picture of how these electric buses run.  The harness just slides along these wires wherever they drive.  Crazy!

January 30 part 2: The Forbidden City

From Tian’anmen Square, we walked into the Forbidden City.  You can walk around certain areas inside the city but not inside any of the buildings.  Some had things displayed, which you could view through windows, but it was hard to get a good view because there was no lighting other than the sun.

On our way into the Forbidden City, we stopped by the restrooms.  Our reps told us this was the best “opportunity” we would have for a while.

4-Star toilets

What does this mean?

Oh no!  It’s the squatty potty!!

Luckily, there were 2 “western” toilets  mixed in with all the squatty potties as I did NOT want to attempt this feat with layers of winter clothes and a backpack!  Haha.

Forbidden City

I tried taking a couple pics through the windows...