It only took 3 attempts to purchase train tickets. We already know things here take twice as long to do, we've established that fact early on, even before our arrival with getting Visa's etc.
Attempt #1 involved not knowing the train schedule and being able to communicate with the non-english speaking agent. Attempt #2 was almost successful but I did not have my passports, which are required for purchase. Attempt #3 was the trick as we have confirmed seats and we are almost ready for our first express on the "express train" taking nearly 5 hours to Beijing. I for one think it will be faster than if we chose to fly the 90 minute flight.
The Forbidden City was once know as Zijin Cheng ('Purple Forbidden City'). Being that I am a huge lover of the color purple I am even more excited to visit the Purple Forbidden City.
Attempt #1 involved not knowing the train schedule and being able to communicate with the non-english speaking agent. Attempt #2 was almost successful but I did not have my passports, which are required for purchase. Attempt #3 was the trick as we have confirmed seats and we are almost ready for our first express on the "express train" taking nearly 5 hours to Beijing. I for one think it will be faster than if we chose to fly the 90 minute flight.
The Forbidden City was once know as Zijin Cheng ('Purple Forbidden City'). Being that I am a huge lover of the color purple I am even more excited to visit the Purple Forbidden City.
Fun facts of the Forbidden City:
*It is the world's biggest ancient palace.
*China's most popular single site tourist attraction.
*The structure is almost 600 years old.
*Home of dynastic clans for 500 years.
*1987 UNESCO World Heritage List
*The largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.
*It has 9,999 rooms
*200,000 - 1 million laborers and artisans constructed the complex.
*24 emperors lived there.
Fun Facts about the Great Wall:
*The official length is 21,196.18 km (13,170.7 mi)
*The Great Wall is more than 2,300 years old.
*The Ming Great Wall crosses 9 provinces and municipalities
*The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built by humans.
*The widest section of the wall is around 9 metres (30 ft).
*The highest point of the wall is around 8 metres (26 ft)