Beijing

I planned on making Beijing the big finale, the last leg of my trip. There's so many things to see here: The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, Summer Palace, Museums, art galleries. I made it to the main points, but never got to see the mummified corpse of Mao in its shrine. I'm OK with that.

View of the Forbidden City from above.

I learnt to play Chinese Chess - it's pretty cool!

I found a Paris Baguette in Beijing!

Snack street had some interesting foods.

Mmm, seahorse.

Starfish

A nice tray of lizard, snake, and gecko.

Dibs!

Mao observes his people.

Tienanmen Square

The centre of Tienanmen Square

The seats for government and military officials to observe presentations and displays.

An emperor's hunting rifle.

An emperor's picture book.

I would like this to drink mead out of.

It's a magic sword. I'll prove it.

See? Magic.

This is just pretty.

Chinese emperors named their swords!

Some parts of the Forbidden City are... bleak.

This thing? Expensive. 

That's roughly $10000.

It didn't focus well, through glass and clingfilm, but this is carved from a single massive elephant tusk.
Guess how much it costs: 800000Y, $120000+-

Pagodas in the Summer Palace

Colourful roofs.