The first of our Chinese ports, Xingang is the gateway port for the capital, Beijing and, 4 hours drive away, a section of the Great Wall of China. Many of our guests will overnight in the capital, while many will visit the Wall, us included. The approach to the port is complicated and very busy with shipping traffic, however before we even reached that part of our voyage, we had to endure some storm-force 10 weather, winds over 60 knots.
As we had not gone to Jeju and having stayed in Inchon instead, the voyage to Xingang was shorter and as a consequence we were steaming slower. Rather than hang around at a very slow speed, we berthed in Xingang late on the evening of (our) 21st.
Radar picture in the approach VTS; ships leaving and arriving, while barges are crossing the lanes.
Overview of the port approach
The approach channel. We had boarded our pilot at the ‘3 o’clock’ position, having negotiated most of the channel ourselves. All that ‘green’ are ship’s ID (or AIS) transponders, busy place…….
The dock at the terminal.
This actually helped our (long) Chinese Immigration process, some guests and crew being processed that evening and the remainder going through formalities in the terminal in the morning. It was snowing when we arrived and continued to do so throughout the night, the temperatures have been extremely cold, accentuated by the wind-chill, with ice on the decks, we have been wrapped up.
Early morning at the terminal.
Not a lot to see, the terminal is built on reclaimed land
Inside the (massive) terminal
Karen and I went off on a Crew tour, organised for crew-members only, 3 buses on our first day and there are 2 bus-loads today, (as I write). The destination? The Great Wall of China, 3½ hours drive away. The ‘convoy’ of buses set off, everyone (almost everyone 🙂 ) prepared for the weather. We weren’t sure if the shorter route to the Wall would be open, the motorways having been closed for ‘fog’ (aka ‘smog’) however we were fortunate, once we got to the junction leading to the faster road, it had just opened. One thing that struck me was the absence of traffic, much lighter than I anticipated.
We stopped briefly at a Service station for the necessary break
The Service station had its own frozen flower-boxes
Then, first stop, the ancient city of Jizhou and the Dule temple. Originally built in 894 AD, it had been modified over the years.
The entrance on the Temple road
The temple itself
Inside is a vast Buddha, over 30 feet tall. (No photography allowed, oops, I accidentally hit the shutter 🙂
A large gong
One of the ornate roof ornaments
In a side-temple, an ornate Buddha
Security, (police) near the Temple
Moi, wrapped up 🙂
Ribbons (for good luck) adorn the trees surrounding the temple
Everyone rode on these little mopeds, children piled on too. They all had the ‘wind-breaker’ to keep them warm(er)
A 30-minute stop and then back on the buses towards the Wall. In the summer, the area would be packed, however for our visit we were the sole participants. Not a souvenir stall to be seen, this changed rapidly, (someone must have phoned them), the sellers appeared as if by magic. I will let the photos speak for themselves……
The large sign that greets one, by the entrance
The entrance gate
The barracks, it even had a garden and a maze, looking forlorn in the weather though.
On a distant hill, the wall continues
Ha! A souvenir-seller climbs the steps
And lo…Karen stops to look…
I write on our 23rd, this evening we sail for Shanghai and while we do so, more President’s festivities. I have taken some photos of the dinners and other events, I will do them in a separate post later. Thank you for all your comments, I do read them and find them motivating!
Loving your blog, maps, photos and especially your humor in your comments. Glad to only read about the rough travel and not be on the ship. Did you take a picture of the snowmen that I heard appeared on the Lido deck?
Love reading your blog! So glad we did Beijing while on the fall grand cruise on the Amsterdam in 2007 and 2011. No snow or cold weather! We sailed with you on the World in 2013, going around South Africa. It was my husband who left his gall bladder in Adelaide. Recuperating on the ship was the best thing for him. Looks like you are having a bit of rough weather, but you can handle it! Happy Sailing!
Sending warm wishes from not so sunny Florida! We are getting ready to send Larry and Laura off to join you soon. I hope they, and you have better weather! You must be freezing your skinny *%^()&* off :).
Love, love loved the pictures of the Great Wall. That remains on my bucket list!
From what I could understand from your maps, the ‘sail in’ must have been very stressful with so much traffic… and weather! Fortunately, the Amsterdam is in good hands :)!
Love to all!
K2
Very nice pics from the Wall love to see there are less tourist during wintertime. And the Amsterdam is taking the 10 gale waves like a real LADY! We wish you a more quiet trip to Shanghai.
Merci and hope you can go ashore on Shanghai!
Thanks for your wonderful pictures and observations of a amazing part of the world. Hope the weather improves for you.
Cheers
The photos of the wall and lonely hawkers out on a frigid day … outstanding.
Shanghai… best place the private collection which is the Shanghai Museum. View of the Bund from the restaurant “M on the Bund” 5 th floor….worth it after a morning shop
Really enjoying your posts that I read with coffee and think about being aboard next season on the Amsterdam
You have had enough large storms to swear me off Northern Pacific travel though. That is a great ship to handle the waves though as I recall returning full flank from Antarctica! Well done Capt!
I’m enjoying your blog tremendously. It’s bringing back memories of our previous trips, luckily in much warmer weather.
And giving me yearnings for another.
It’s interesting to get the captain’s view of life onboard. Thanks for taking time to share.
Great album collection! Colourful picture of children on moped, no helmets though.
Your video waves are so familiar to the boiling sea on classical paintings of sailing ships crossing Cape Horn ( Padua) nearly 100 years ago.
Looking out for you here in Funchal now.
P & G
Wonderful photos of the Great Wall. Thank you for taking the time to post about your travels. Much appreciated.
Wow! I worked onboard for almost 7 years and most of it on HAL. Never did I sail into a port that had snow. I hope people packed properly for this adventure!
Re. The Snow — Ha, ha and we thought we were having a fierce winter in BC! Great pics of the Great Wall – I remember buying a Rolex watch from one of those vendors! As for Shanghai, we were Shanghaied there – at a tea ceremony – it cost us $165.00 for three cups…….. Watch out! Hope you encounter calmer seas as you progress around the World. We are loving your blogs, charts and pictures, Captain.
Jean & George in BC
Really superb pics -brought back memories of my visit there-though luckily in much pleasanter weather !
Hi Capt; thanks for the Chinese Police pic; great addition to my collection 😉 The Great Wall trip had to be, brrrr, cold! Glad you and K1 got to see one of the Wonders of the World. The best of luck on the Shanghai overnight! When we were there in 2014, about fourteen crew, incl. the Bosun, got robbed 🙁