early start, a lot planned for the day, Qian Men district.

so . . . today, like last night, just wasn't meant to be. Really wanted to go to the underground city today. 10 o'clock we planned to set of, Lee wanted to come, so now leaving at 10:45, never ready on time.

Metro, no problem. Out of the metro, we have a map, which no1 can read, very useful. Positive, Qian Men or Front Gate was right at the metro stop so got to see that no problem.

90 minutes later, we're still walking, literally round in circles trying to find the entrance to the underground city. Ironically my guide book says that this is the easiest of all the entrances to find. Even the locals couldn't direct us to it, so where was the hope. The four of us, standing in a rather run down part of Beijing happen to stumble upon a spanish couple who knew where the entrance was, and they were also going there. Luck!!!

After walking exactly where we had already been, the entrance appeared, as if by magic. It was closed - the guide book failed to inform us of that lol.

So first task of the day, a complete failure. Better luck next time yeah. Mansion of Prince Gong - other side of town, but we were already in a rather seedy place, and none of us were complaining about leaving it. Think we saw the streets tourists never do.

Taxi - u'd hope they would beable to read the mandarin on the map. Apparently not, he definetly went the long way, and then when he told us we'd got there, didn't let us out and drove for another 30 minutes, round the lake/loch before we managed to muster enough mandarin together to get him 2 pull over. An experience none the less.

Now on the wrong side of the lake that we required, we took a leisurely strole round it, stopping at a lovely bar for a cocktail. Trying to leave, we were rudely shouted at for not paying enough money. Clearly a misunderstanding, 5 minutes later we were back on our way to finding the mansion.

40 minute walk, down some not quite so dodgy looking streets, but still would rather not be there, we found the mansion. It shut at 16:30.

Really unsuccesful day, walk back to the metro. Lost, in more back alleyways, that we were convinced where not on the map, even if we could read it, and we found a hidden gem.

It goes by the name of "Orange Tree" where beer battered cod and chips where on the menu, and we could sit on a roof terrace to eat them. Nearly made the day out seem worth while.