Our fifth day started off just as the ones before it, but the group soon sensed it was unique in its adventure. The day was full of firsts from bullet trains to Buddhas as the group began our bus ride to the glowing sun rising over the Summer Palace. We walked through a long corridor, aptly named the “Long Corridor,” which paralleled the shining shore of the lake that defined the edges of the palace. Traditional Chinese architecture contrasted the rugged naturale of the rocky cliffs and as we began the second day climb in a row towards the mount’s peak, we shed our layers in return for the warmth of the glowing sun. Many modeled alongside the natural and man-made beauties of the scenery, while others merely gazed in awe at the towering prominence of the structure. We met the hundred-handed Buddha and later an entire hall of Buddhas before continuing down from the cliff’s zenith. From the bottom we took a fared ferry across the open water, breathing in the cold air of the current until we returned to the known safety of our bus to head towards lunch.
Today for lunch we had noodles. We ate at a world-famous noodle house. After lunch we headed to the train station to leave Bei Jing. The station was very big and very packed. We got on the train and settled into our 4-hour train ride. We rode the bullet train, and it was so fast that looking out the window you could only see a blur. We arrived in Nan Jing and were picked up by our new tour guide. We ate dinner at a dumpling place in the train station. Then we took the bus to our hotel and settled into our new rooms, exhausted from a long day and ready for bed.
— Bailey and Olivia