day 54: 静升 (jingsheng) = 0km

Two zero zero eight.

It’s the year of the Olympics alright. Most radio and TV stations have been broadcasting a daily countdown for the last couple of months now: “just a friendly reminder: the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are XXX days ahead!”

One thing is for sure though - China would always win gold when it comes to fireworks:

Seriously, anything I’ve seen in Europe or the States is child-play against this madness. And New Year’s Eve isn’t even a prime time of fireworks over here.

I took a leisure day and a walk around 王家大院 (Wang Family Courtyard), another merchant’s private estate from Qing-dynasty (清 1644-1911), much like 常家庄园 (December 20th ) and 乔家大院 (December 22nd).

This time I did something different though: I paid extra money and hired a guide, which proved to be a very good idea. There are so many details to be missed out on otherwise:

After the downfall of the 王-family and the proclamation of the People’s Republic, farmers had been living on these premises up until the mid-nineties.

They had been using the very same buildings and furniture passed on from centuries ago:

Several families would share a courtyard as if it was just a regular settlement.

…only much more beautiful and refined:

From what my guide told me, the remaining parts of 王家大院 are only about 25% of the original size.

To me, two things still remain unimaginable:

1) the amount of destruction that all these places have suffered.

2) the massive size and and the awe-abiding grace and tastefulness of these architectural monuments.

I stayed for a long time:

Looks pretty, doesn’t it.

This is not about photography; finding an angle, pressing a few buttons.

Really, the beauty is all there in that breath-taking moment:

…

One thing I often get over here is: “Germany? Good! Strong economy!”

But there are just some things money can’t buy.

Soundtrack: Bad Religion - “Don’t Sell Me Short”

—total: 789,6km