We started at the zoo to see the pandas. I have very mixed feelings about zoos, but I understand they have a role to play in conservation and China certainly has been actively researching and conserving their panda population since 1996. The pandas from the wildlife reserve in the earthquake zone have come to Beijing zoo to relax and recover although they are not on display of course.

We then took a dragon boat up ancient canals to the summer palace. We crossed the palace lake in this stunning ferry. Beautiful buildings, an ancient decorated long walk, bridges with 17 arches, and willows weeping into the water. It was like stepping into a scroll.

We went down this hutong for an excellent dinner of Peking duck. We walked back along a street divided by a narrow park along its length. Old couples sipped their tea at little stone seats; people walked their small dogs and exchanged greetings while the dogs did too; couples walked hand in hand, cherishing the snatched privacy not possible in crowded living quarters, especially for unmarried couples.

Tonight we went to the Beijing Opera. It is the most amazing spectacle and intricate, ancient art form. Ours was only a taster show, with single chapters almost, of different shows.

The operas always portray different traditional stories and contain easily recognisable character types. The costumes and make-up help with the identification and drama, and accentuate the character and movement. Precise hand and eye movements convey emotion and concepts such as distance or darkness, and action is portrayed through elaborate dancing and kung fu moves. The music is traditional and Chinese on 4-6 instruments, and the main characters sing.

It is just magical.