Today we traveled to Shichahai Lake, a gorgeous spot in Beijing's historical center, with our Chinese teacher and a classmate. The area has three interconnected lakes and is surrounded by old-style Chinese houses, called hutongs, with courtyards. The area used to be a station on the Grand Canal, but over time it has changed from a business hub to a place of leisure where people can relax and enjoy the scenery. It really was a beautiful day to be out--sunny but not too hot--and we had a nice leisurely stroll around the lakes.
