Seeing as how we were in the neighborhood, we first decided to pay the old Bell and Drum Towers a visit, where we found to our total surprise that for once, we were there while the old historical relics were actually open. So, we asked ourselves the simple question "Why not?"
Maybe had that day been smoggy, as usual, then maybe we would've had a good reason to just save several yuan and look at the impressive old structures from the outside. Thankfully though, that wasn't the case.
The Bell Tower allowed us to take in a fine array of impressively breathtaking views, and the ancient bell of course was nothing at all to scoff at, either.
The Bell Tower was also just as worth the visit, though the views it presented us with weren't as beautiful as the vistas we enjoyed in the Bell Tower.
This is supposed to tell time somehow, but unfortunately, I haven't the foggiest idea how it works at all.
While enjoying the sights here, we were given the privilege of a very unexpected treat - at various points in the day, performers play short tunes on the massive drums that fill the main room of the tower.
The effort to appeal trendy and hip, unfortunately, was taken just a smidgeon too far by a few of the little stores.
I forgot to take a photo of it, but somewhere on the street there was this little kebab stand, where we snacked on squid covered in some type of tangy barbecue sauce (at least it tasted like barbecue sauce.)
Luckily, the scenery more than made up for those minor irritations, as did the several pets we saw while strolling about. Large, or even medium-sized dogs are more or less a rarity here in Beijing. It's basically nothing more than little furballs the size of stuffed animals as far as the eye can see (especially Pekinese's....LOT of that breed in particular).
Here's what was formally Furen University, originally established as a Catholic University by Benedictine monks. Lord only knows who owns it now, but the overwhelming chances are that it isn't Catholic anymore.
Finally, at about 5:30 PM, we decided to call it a day and headed straight back to campus, feeling weary, but satisfied (and also a little comfortable, at least in my case. Here's some advice - don't gulp down most of a bottle of water before a sizable subway trip).
Maybe had that day been smoggy, as usual, then maybe we would've had a good reason to just save several yuan and look at the impressive old structures from the outside. Thankfully though, that wasn't the case. 
The Bell Tower allowed us to take in a fine array of impressively breathtaking views, and the ancient bell of course was nothing at all to scoff at, either. 
The Bell Tower was also just as worth the visit, though the views it presented us with weren't as beautiful as the vistas we enjoyed in the Bell Tower. 
This is supposed to tell time somehow, but unfortunately, I haven't the foggiest idea how it works at all. 
While enjoying the sights here, we were given the privilege of a very unexpected treat - at various points in the day, performers play short tunes on the massive drums that fill the main room of the tower. 
Once we were through sightseeing there, we then headed east, were we hiked through a neighborhood that had a surprisingly large number of bars, cafes and little shops, which basically made the area feel more like a gentrified neighborhood in Brooklyn or Queens rather than Beijing.
The effort to appeal trendy and hip, unfortunately, was taken just a smidgeon too far by a few of the little stores.
Especially pleasant though was Nanlou Xiang, a particularly nice little street filled to the brim with some of the trendiest little cafes, restaurants, and shops that you'll find in the whole city....though purchasing anything here does come at a bit of a price, though.
I forgot to take a photo of it, but somewhere on the street there was this little kebab stand, where we snacked on squid covered in some type of tangy barbecue sauce (at least it tasted like barbecue sauce.)
After we had our fill of the sights and atmosphere there, we then traveled west through one of the neighborhood hutongs, which took us to the Houhai area.
Located by a splendid little lake, Houhai can offer visitors a fine variety of absolutely gorgeous sights.
However, Houhai is first and foremost one of Beijing's most well-known bar areas, meaning of course that every bar, night club, and restaurant there exists with the sole purpose of separating you from your money as swiftly as humanly possible, as I discovered after several employees from various bars or clubs would step out into the street to try and entice us into buying a drink or two.
However, Houhai is first and foremost one of Beijing's most well-known bar areas, meaning of course that every bar, night club, and restaurant there exists with the sole purpose of separating you from your money as swiftly as humanly possible, as I discovered after several employees from various bars or clubs would step out into the street to try and entice us into buying a drink or two. 
Luckily, the scenery more than made up for those minor irritations, as did the several pets we saw while strolling about. Large, or even medium-sized dogs are more or less a rarity here in Beijing. It's basically nothing more than little furballs the size of stuffed animals as far as the eye can see (especially Pekinese's....LOT of that breed in particular). 
Here's what was formally Furen University, originally established as a Catholic University by Benedictine monks. Lord only knows who owns it now, but the overwhelming chances are that it isn't Catholic anymore. 
Finally, at about 5:30 PM, we decided to call it a day and headed straight back to campus, feeling weary, but satisfied (and also a little comfortable, at least in my case. Here's some advice - don't gulp down most of a bottle of water before a sizable subway trip). 
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