Changing itinerary

We are doing fine tuning here and there for the trip.

It is uncertain in places if we can visit anytime or only when shows are on e.g. at the China Puppet Theater, but will hopefully sort that out before we go.

Backup options if things do not work out as expected include the Sony ExplorScience centre, Liu Ren Papercut House (artist assists children to make the papercuts) or if we got desperate there are a couple of fun parks such as the Happy Valley (queues can be up to 3 hours long 1 ride though - Disney take Chinese style), or the Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park seemingly very close to Tianamen square.


We bought some chocolates for the children at the orphanage when we visit Childrens Day. And it looks like we will visit at 9am and my father can do a show to help the celebrations. Last year the Children then went on to McDonalds for lunch so we will follow if possible. In the same city we will visit the world famous Laobian dumpling restaurant and a Korean area too.

Our last night we will dine at the Bai Jia Da Yuan Restaurant which will be a very special treat for Charlotte Qing dynasty style.

Just when you think you have what to do set, you find more info and things alter, but it is comforting knowing what is possible.

We have booked acrobats, tea ceremony folk show, the Beijing night show which includes a mix of Chinese talents such as kungfu, Chinese opera and again acrobatics.

We are yet to book the train tickets (we prefer the fast options just over 4 hours), and seemingly need to pre-book our visit to Happy City for the girls to spend and earn their fake yuan.

In the South East part of Beijing there is a Shadow Puppet museum, although when you look into it there is a museum for just about anything including postage stamps and shells or ancient coins.

A big concern is the traffic conjestion although by all accounts the subway takes care of that problem to a large extent. In a prior pre-child visit I recall having to listen so intently to the station names to work out where on the map you might be. Given the Olympics have been and gone it seems that magnetic ticketing cards can be readily used on the subway as opposed to paper tickets, but hopefully a little English or pinyin has crept into the signage.

Speaking of congestion, it surely couldn't be worse than HCMC Ho Chi Minh City and all those motor bikes, right??