May 5 Beijing to the mountains

This is fairly typical of the main streets of Beijing - neat, clean and tree lined

Today was a total change of scenery - we went to the mountains to visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites. We drove along city roads and gardens ablaze with roses of all hues and avenues of leafy trees. The vegetation here is a total surprise. After a brief visit to a jade factory to see how the jade is carved - and to give us a buying opportunity! we headed 50 Km out of Beijing to the Ming Tombs - a huge complex covering 80 sq Km and nestled at the base of the Tianshou Mountain. The complex was built over a period of 200 years and houses 13 imperial tombs, 7 concubines’ and one eunuch's tombs . 

The history and culture was all rather a revelation to us but absolutely fascinating.  We passed a towering stele which marked the location of one of the tomb complex.es That stele sits on the back of a tortoise-like creature, one of the nine sons of the dragon. The mythology here is ancient and fascinating and I am quite baffled trying to remember even a little of it.

This is a stele marking the location of a tomb complex. 

We visited the tomb area of only one Emperor and his entourage 

This is carved marble ramp bridge entering another part of the tomb surrounds

Heaven's gate. Seems appropriate!

A very nteresting place! Lindsay descended 100s of steps to the burial chamber of one of the emperors and his two empresses but I opted for a wander under the trees and yes, I found flowers - inclding ‘banksia’ roses!
Then it was off to the more distant mountains and the Mutianyu Wall, part of the Great Wall of China.
It was marvellous to get out of the City and see some of the countryside. The air was filled with lightest baby duck-down wisps from the willow trees - and a touch of smog! We passed chestnut and walnut trees, elms dripping with clusters of tiny flowers and many fruit orchards - peach, apple, cherry. But to the Wall .... read on.

Intricate work making  these life or family balls - balls within balls out of one piece of  jade

Monstrous  jade carving!

These are lamps made from the thinnest slivers of multi coloured jade.