After going through my usual morning routine, it was off to see more of what Beijing had to offer. My first stop brought back memories of the 2008 Summer Olympics, as I visited the Beijing National Stadium and the Beijing National Aquatic Center, more commonly known as the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, respectively.

The Bird’s Nest was home to a spectacular and wildly expensive opening ceremony for the Olympics, as well as events in athletics and the soccer final. The Water Cube was where Michael Phelps made Olympic history by winning an unprecedented eight gold medals at a single Olympics. Both of these buildings boast one of a kind architecture, and will be admired for years to come.

After my stop at Olympic Green, I headed to the outskirts of Beijing to see one of the many wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall was a huge advantage for the Chinese at the time because of the unique beacon system. By collecting animal feces and storing them inside the turrets, the Chinese could send signals to each other if the invading Mongolians were attacking the Wall. First made of only soil, the Great Wall was constantly rebuilt throughout history until bricks were used, the material that still stands today.

The Summer Palace was my final stop for sightseeing in Beijing. With ornate buildings surrounding a beautiful lake, it was pretty clear to me as to why the Emperor would spend his summer months there. Complete with a Buddhist temple and an opera house, the Summer Palace had everything the Emperor needed to continue living his lavish lifestyle at his home away from home.