Beijing-Temple of Heaven

We had a great time at the Temple of Heaven Park. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the park was filled with families and friends, walking, playing and enjoying the day. 

The park is 267 hectares (whatever that is), and holds the Temple of Heaven, an example of Ming architecture. 

"It originally functioned as a vast stage for solemn rites performed by the Son of Heaven, who came here to pray for good harvests, seek divine clearance and atone for the sins of the people. The temple halls, are round and the bases are square, deriving from the ancient Chinese belief that heaven is round and earth is square." 
-Lonely Planet, China 2005 edition. 

People are serious about their card games here. 

View through the park to the Temple of Heaven.

Beijing-The Regent Hotel

Since we worked ridiculously hard in Korea, without vacation, we decided it was one of our top priorities to get to Beijing and relax in a 5 star hotel. I mean, who wouldn't want to do that?!

As soon as we got to China, we searched out a dog hotel, found one right in front of our school, and headed to Beijing! 

There is a bus station in our city, that conveniently has buses to most everywhere. 

Our tickets were 130 yuan, which is about $21 each, for a 5 hour journey to Beijing.

We booked the Regent Hotel on Expedia for $140 a night for 3 nights, with my mother's encouragement. Seemed like a good deal coming from Korea where 5 star hotels are anywhere from $400-1200 a night. And let me tell you it  was so worth it!

We loved our time there! It was amazing! We didn't want to leave the hotel! It was pristine and beautiful. 

All the service was amazing and everyone was so helpful. 

The Regent

The Mosby's Bizarre Foods Parts 1-3