We arrived in China in the middle of the night. The border station was lit up like a Christmas tree and the train rolled in to the Top Gun theme tune 'Take my breath away' blaring from the speakers - I kid you not. This was somewhat at odds with the the very serious looking chinese police manning the station! Totally surreal but what a way to arrive! You then have an hour or so on the train where they literally lift the carriages up in the air to change the 'bogeys' - wheel things to me and other non train spotter types! Apparently tracks across the border are different and this is easier than changing trains. Not convinced but another memorable and surreal border moment.

Waking up the next morning we were like kids waking up for Christmas. Just so excited and were glued to the windows of the train watching towns and villages go by. It wasn't long until the great wall of china came into view and we followed if for about half an hour through incredible mountains and blazing sunshine. We already had a good feeling about China!

Arriving in Beijing railway station was a little hectic but we soon mastered the metro and made our way to our hostel. I think being used to London helps you cope with initial chaos. Have to say it is dead easy here though and not half as difficult as we thought or others had made out. So much is written in English and people are just so willing to help you.

Our hostel is in the coolest area ever. We have an amazing little courtyard lit up at night with red lanterns and very cheap beer and food. The hosteling thing is so funny with such an international community travelling the world. You realise there are so many people doing this and you meet so many intriguing characters from gap year students to retired couples to people who just don't want to seem to go home and will do anything to stay on the road. Have met so many great people and a few annoying ones too!

From our little united nations hostel you walk out onto the street to narrow little alleyways and raw street life of Beijing. There are guys smoking and gambling on the streets, kids playing badminton, smoke and people pouring out of cafes and the most amazing smelling and tasting street food. The place is just buzzing. Its intoxicating and the first night we just spent wandering the streets, getting lost, darting out the way of speeding cyclists and taking in the incredible life in these narrow little streets. Apparently many of these areas have been knocked down to make way for modern high rise apartments whch you can see springing up all over Beijing. Real shame but you can see and sense that this is a city in major transition.

One of things that has suprised us about Beijing is just how westernised it seems in parts of the city. The shopping malls, advertising, massive roads and office blocks rival anything I've seen in new york and so much is in English. The people are so open and friendly if sometimes a little intrigued as you wander around. You can really feel the changes happening here and the place feels more alive and exciting than anywhere we've ever been. Still much that could change though. The bookstores shall we say have a limited selection. So want to communicate more with people but our chinese hasn't really got past hello and thankyou yet!!

Sightseeing in Beijing is also awesome. Have so far been to Tianamen sqaure, the forbidden city, temple of heaven and Mao's Mausoleum - so that makes two dead leaders this trip! The sense of history you get here is fantastic and so good to get a different perspective of the world. It was our one month wedding anniversary yesterday! and we spent it wandering along the 2000 year old great wall. Totally, totally beautiful. Ended our trek with a zip line high across a sparkling blue river below and then a little boat which took us back to our bus.

If St Petersburg was the most beautiful city we've been to Beijing is undoubtedly the best...well so far! On Friday we start our two month tour of China and really can't wait to explore the different areas. We're heading to Xian for tearracotta warriors and then south westwards to Sichuan area for mountains, pandas and spicy food! Already had a taste of Sichuan food the other night in Beijing with our newly found swiss friends, Tanja & Olli, and it blew our head off! Can't wait for the real thing!