"Fragrant Mountain"

Two weekends ago, one of Eunjee's English-language students took us to Xiang Shan, or "Fragrant Mountain." He had a CAR, so we could go to one of the spots that only people with cars can get too, and thus enjoy a (relatively) uncrowded experience. Hills ring Beijing on the north and west sides, so this mountain was part of that chain of foothills. From the top, it was possible to see all of BJ spread out below. As far as the eye could see to the east and west, and to the south, the city stretched out, low concrete buildings marching forward into the pollution at the edges of the flat plain. There really are not many "skyscrapers" in Beijing; the tallest building is about 70 stories, but ones like this are few and far between. Most are 10-25 story high-rise apartment buildings in concrete, giving the city a uniform and dreary character.