May Day in Behai Park

May Day, and also the rest of the week, is a holiday in China. No parades or anything, just people going out and having fun. Xiaoqin, who is a student in the group I am visiting, and her friend Dong, invited us out to enjoy the afternoon in Behai park.

It was a beautiful day, and the park was full of people, but never felt too crowded.


May Day Crowds
There is a delightful Buddhist temple at the north end of the park. Xiaoqin bought us a good health charm to earn the blessings of the Laughing Buddha.


Laughing Buddha

Good Health Charm
Just outside the temple is a grand "9 Dragon Wall". Pairs of dragons are playing with a pearl (with one left out).


9 Dragon Wall
Xiaoqin and Lynn decided to dress up as empress and princess at the top of the White Pagoda hill.


Lynn and Xiaoqin Becoming Regal


Empress and Princess


Regal Headdresses
Boating is a favorite activity for afternoons in the park, as you can see in the panorama. We took a row boat out, and rowed and drifted around, and played cards, occasionally bumping other boats through our inattention.


Lake Behai Panorama


Xiaoqin, Dong, and Lynn in Rowboat
To recuperate from the rowing (!) Xiaoqin treated us to a feast of Old Beijing specialties at a nearby reatuarant. The delicacies included "noodle tea", made from flour and sesame paste, beef intestines, sheep organ soup, a "fake fish" dish made from noodles, taro cake, and many others.


Beijing Specialties