20 - 9. WHERE DID ALL THE BICYCLES GO?

Once Beijing was known for all the bicycles. It must be a very long time ago, says our guide, now almost none are left. The Chinese have got cars. Only a few Chinese use bicycles, and then preferable electric ones. As a result it takes very long time to get anywhere, especially during rush-hour when all traffic grinds to a halt. We also try the subway, but it is a long way to the station and when we get off our destination is still so far away we have to take a taxi. And immediately the taxi is locked into a new traffic-jam. A street of restaurants is decorated with red lanterns all advertising Yanjing Beer.  Further down all shops sell incense-sticks to visitors to the Lama-Buddhist temple.

Nina