I had developed a strange yearning to get out of bed at an unearthly hour to go to watch the sunrise flag-raising ceremony on Tiananman square. We got up at 6.20 and hurried through the dark streets, comforted by the presence of blue-suited guards at regular intervals along our route. As we neared the square, there were clearly hundreds of others - all Chinese - heading in the same direction. We joined the heavily-policed throng awaiting the dawn parade.
At precisely 07.24, green-clad soldiers of the People's Liberation Army marched out of the Gate of Heavenly Peace towards the flag pole where the red Chinese flag was slowly raised to the sound of the National Anthem. Behind us on the square, old men flew kites.
Back to the hotel (via KFC - again!!!) to pack as it was our last day in Beijing
:-(((( ... Then to Starbucks to say goodbye to Cun and Jen; we were touched to receive little momentos of Beijing from them. Then tube to Beijing Capital Airport for our flight to Lijiang, with an unexpected (by us) stop in Kunming.
On arrival at Lijiang airport, we were greeted by one of an array of female taxi drivers in battered blue minibus taxis. According to our trusty Lonely Planet, Naxi culture is traditionally matriarchal.
Our driver set off at a teeth-chattering pace towards the town along a dark, busy road punctuated by pot-holes and mounds of earth. She seemed to actually accelerate towards the bumpiest sections, whooping with delight as the minibus jolted and lurched from side to side. I for one wished I had worn my sports bra.
On arrival in Lijiang, our driver walked with us to the Heavenly Inn, where we were staying. After the bland, faceless Beijing hotel, this was nothing short of a dream (see today's photo!) Lijiang is amazingly beautiful, with endless red lanterns hanging from the eaves of traditional houses.
Our host, Eva, recommended an amazing restaurant for dinner where we ate sizzling yak, fresh veg and rice. We then wandered to a bar near to our Inn where we huddled round a bowl of charcoal, under colourful lamps, swilling beer and listening to a fabulously talented band singing traditional Naxi, Chinese and western songs. Beautiful.