We are here.
We landed safely yesterday and other than a certain someone tossing her cookies in the immigration line, it was a flawless travel day. 
We arrived at our hotel with just enough time to catch our breath and brush our teeth.
Then we went out for a short walk to a local noodle restaurant. We were told it was delicious and we were not disappointed.
Once back to the room, with full-bellies and jet lag starting to hit, we crawled under the down comforters at 7:30… delighted at being able to lay horizontally.
We were up bright and early and ready for coffee. We made our way to the breakfast buffet and ate our way from one end to the other.
Then, after a skype-session with the kids, we headed out to see the city.
And a perfect day for seeing Beijing it was.
The sun was out, the temperature was glorious and the air surprisingly clear.
First we visited Tienanman Square and the Forbidden City.
Then we took a ride in a rickshaw to tour the last remaining Hutong in Beijing.
We all loved it, and learned a lot of fascinating Chinese history in the process.
Tomorrow we will visit the Mutianyu portion of the Great Wall, weather permitting.
And on Sunday we travel to Changsha.
Where the real adventure begins.
Love the pictures! So excited for you guys!
Awesome.photos! So excited for you!
Such good memories of my trip to Beijing. Can’t wait to see this story unfold!
your pictures are awesome!!!! man would i love to go back to just capture it on my camera— love the one of the man with the ruffled blue flowered apron 🙂
Fun photos. Seeing your photos puts butterflies in my belly (the happy kind) I LOVE LOVE LOVE being in China. Can’t wait to see your sweet Clementine in your arms.
Try the slide at the MuTianYu section. So fun!!
Miss Beijing. My 7 year old is from Hunan so can’t wait to see pics of Changsha!
awesome pictures….love them all.
So happy to hear from you, and see your sweet memories unfolding. Will be praying for you and your family during this journey. Can’t wait to see your sweet girl being loved in your arms. xx
Hi Stephanie. Made me smile that you will be in Changsha. We were just there getting our daughter in June. She is from Chenzhou. Was curious if your daughter is in Changsha or Chenzhou orphanage. We might have gotten to love and pray over her this past June. Blessings to you!!!!
Loved, loved, loved the Hutong tour and the Mutianyu section of the wall! Is Helen your guide? If so, please tell her that Simon and Amy Miller say hello. 🙂
So thrilled to read this update. Praying along with you. Loving the photos! Amazed at the clear skies!!
I had no idea you were headed to Changsha, one of my favorite cities to visit! If you get the chance, head to the Fire Palace (watch your bags) you can try all sors of street foods in the restaurant there! One of our favs!!!
Oh man, you make me miss my home away from home! My favorite hotel in the world is in that hutong (Kelly’s Courtyard) and I LOVE Mutianyu in the Fall. Stop by the schoolhouse on your way up if you’re able and see the glass blowing studio. And take the cable car up and walk to the left side for the best view. Gosh I love that place!
Photo quality is AWESOME! Yearning to be back in China– soon, very soon! Can’t wait for my 3 to experience the beauty of their birth land– beautiful China! My Jaedyn, Fu AiYan, will be thrilled to have access to good Lo Mein whenever she wants! 🙂 Blessings to you both! Excited to see posts of Clementine:)
So happy for your family and excited to be following along. Our oldest daughter is from Changsha so a piece of my heart resides there.
Where is the local noodle restaurant? We are traveling to China within the next six months- to adopt :-)- and we would love to have a noodle restaurant in Beijing.
What an enormous blessing that you are there with Sophie, it feels like complete circle. Praying for clementines heart, in all ways x