Beijing

Beijing Station looms large, its mausoleum grey stone iced with traditional pagodas. Close parking is unavailable and we disembark from our bus some 400 metres away before our group snakes its way conga-like towards the main entrance. Those with wheeled luggage cases have the initial advantage across the flat even thought they have to negotiate puddles from earlier rain. Free hands in crowds, through ticket gates, boarding transport and up and down steps make backpacks our preferred option. We look like pack mules with our large packs on our backs and our day packs reversed across our chests.

Joining the large ant colony we follow our group leader to the Californian Noodle Bar and…