Au Revoir Beijing

After an absence of 5 years, I was eager to see how Beijing has progressed, with its world acclaimed architectural marvels, revamped English signages, purified air, and the vast population that has been educated to communicate & connect with the rest of the world.

Water Cube, Bird Nest, CCTV Tower, Opera House, new terminals at the airport … all impressive hard wares. In addition to the CBD taking shape like Manhattan, other concepts like building a cluster of villas to showcase different architectural designs by the Great Wall is a novel & commendable idea.

However, it is pathetic that these human successes are at the same time, dwarfed by human deficiencies. More so as these deficiencies are peculiar in China and seldom seen in other parts of the world, at least based on my own experience.

The following photos illustrate amazements I encountered during a one week trip to Beijing.

An airport (Terminal 3) shuttle train operator sleeping open leg in front of all passengers without any signs of embarrassment …..

When booking a hotel car transfer from the Commune by the Great Wall (a 5-star property managed by Kempinski) to the near-by Badaling train station, I was told by the Concierge that the hotel car is likely to get caught in traffic jam. Recommended that I take another car arranged by him at the same cost of RMB100…..




Finally, after mindful scheduling to visit the Great Wall in late autumn to ensure a fine walk in sunny & dry weather, the artificially induced heavy snow on November 1st made the Great Wall a post-card picture rather than slopes I could climb….



I entitle this piece Au Revoir Beijing as I hope to see an improved Beijing, both in soul & spirit, in addition to a muscular body ~~ when I re-see it again, some time down the road……