Beidaihe
September 1-2, 2007:
Beidaihe is a seaside resort on the Bohai Gulf, 300km east of Beijing, which was originally patronized by European diplomats, missionaries and businessmen around the turn of the century. After the Communist takeover, the village became a resort for Party bigwigs, reaching its height of popularity in the 1970s.
Today it is a Russian hot spot and a nice weekend getaway for Beijing expats.
This weekend Derek and I headed off to Beidaihe with some friends. Although the beaches here do not compare to those of Costa Rica or Thailand (due to pollution, garbage and the simple fact that China has not cultivated its beach town tourist industry), it was a marvelous time with friends and a wonderful escape from the city.
A 3 hour long train ride out to Beidaihe (Derek and I had standing room only tickets...cozy):
We have come to embrace the wildlife/tacky resort decor:
The beach (great people watching, and when one would shut their eyes to relax and catch some sun one could hear the wonderful symphony of Chinese spitters/hawkers):
Intense volleyball game amongst friends (with beer and vodka on the line):
Seafood dinner:
Onto the outdoor bar...
Per usual, even in China, Derek is always the instigator:
Time to head home. Pictured below: the charming China train station crowds. It is as if someone awoke a black haired anthill. But once the train rolls in..."like that, poof [they're] gone." Name that movie.
Before heading back on the train to Beijing, one must always consume some jiaozi. It puts Derek into a deep food comatose (thank goodness we had seats for the ride home).
Beidaihe is a seaside resort on the Bohai Gulf, 300km east of Beijing, which was originally patronized by European diplomats, missionaries and businessmen around the turn of the century. After the Communist takeover, the village became a resort for Party bigwigs, reaching its height of popularity in the 1970s.
Today it is a Russian hot spot and a nice weekend getaway for Beijing expats.
This weekend Derek and I headed off to Beidaihe with some friends. Although the beaches here do not compare to those of Costa Rica or Thailand (due to pollution, garbage and the simple fact that China has not cultivated its beach town tourist industry), it was a marvelous time with friends and a wonderful escape from the city.
A 3 hour long train ride out to Beidaihe (Derek and I had standing room only tickets...cozy):
We have come to embrace the wildlife/tacky resort decor:
The beach (great people watching, and when one would shut their eyes to relax and catch some sun one could hear the wonderful symphony of Chinese spitters/hawkers):
Intense volleyball game amongst friends (with beer and vodka on the line):
Seafood dinner:
Onto the outdoor bar...
Per usual, even in China, Derek is always the instigator:
Time to head home. Pictured below: the charming China train station crowds. It is as if someone awoke a black haired anthill. But once the train rolls in..."like that, poof [they're] gone." Name that movie.
Before heading back on the train to Beijing, one must always consume some jiaozi. It puts Derek into a deep food comatose (thank goodness we had seats for the ride home).
posted by Derek and Stacey at
9:51 AM
2 Comments:
is that an opium pipe in one of your pictures?
By
Anonymous, at 12:39 PM
Thank you so much, you convinced me. I am going this weekend.
By
Maria Elizalde, at 4:11 PM
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