The Summer Palace is just North of Beijing on Lake Kunming...a big man made lake...imagine building a man made lake before the days of bulldozers... [insert "ooooh" and "ahhh" sounds here]

This mythical creature is just inside the gate of the Summer Palace, guarding the throne room behind it...

Yes...that is ice on the lake at the Summer Palace... Did I mention that it was C-O-L-D the first few days I was in Beijing?

This is a picture of the Changlang (Long Corridor) which is over 700 meters long and is painted with mythical scenes throughout its length... this doesn't seem quite as impressive until you think "longer than seven football fields put together, all painted with original artwork" ...absolutely stunning. Sadly, the picture doesn't do it justice. This is one of the many things in China that you've got to see to believe.

This is the marble boat that was built for Empress Cixi (the dowager empress from the movie "The Last Emperor" for those of you who follow such things.) Yes, it's gorgeous... No, it doesn't float.

...and at the end of this little journey there is a market... Jack, with his flag, leads the way to where our bus is waiting.