Today is the only day in the next two weeks that we are totally free. We took advantage of it to see one of the sights the tour won't visit, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, also known as the Egg. It's one of the most striking new buildings in Beijing - silver in color and looking like it is floating in the water that surrounds it. You reach it by walking through a glass-roofed promenade that tunnels under the water. Inside are a beautiful opera house, a concert hall and multiple other halls and exhibit spaces. It's also very comfortably air conditioned, which was attractive today since the temperature was almost 90.
Later, we decided to stop by Sanlitun Road for shopping. Our taxi driver, although very nice, got completely lost and finally dropped us off near the Workers' Stadium. Fortunately there was a restaurant and while out of the sun, we figured out our destination was a short walk away.
Sanlitun Road is not the Silk Market - it's a mix of upscale US, Japanese and European stores with some oddball ones as well (have you ever seen a BMW dealer that sells both cars and "BMW-inspired" clothing?). The girls cooled off in a fountain before we stopped at Uniqlo to buy our daughters parasols and me a cool Pac-Man t shirt.
We've already met two families from our tour, and will meet the rest at dinner tonight.
Pictures coming soon!
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