An hour or so from Beijing are stretches of the Great Wall of China, that unfathomable product of stone, flesh and blood that is draped over the dusty landscape for 4,000 miles, like a giant strand of tagliatelle.An hour or so from Beijing are stretches of the Great Wall of China, that unfathomable product of stone, flesh and blood that is draped over the dusty landscape for 4,000 miles, like a giant strand of tagliatelle.
Any trip to the capital city should start right in the middle, at the Forbidden City, the nucleus of Beijing, the epicenter of the Chinese empire or, in the minds of the Ming Emperors who lived there for five centuries, the entire universe. The epic grandeur of the place is breathtaking.Any trip to the capital city should start right in the middle, at the Forbidden City, the nucleus of Beijing, the epicenter of the Chinese empire or, in the minds of the Ming Emperors who lived there for five centuries, the entire universe. The epic grandeur of the place is breathtaking.
Splendor within the Forbidden City.Splendor within the Forbidden City.
The modern skyline of Beijing, where about 20 new courses are opening this year, according to Golf Digest China, bringing the total to more than 90, more than any other city in China.The modern skyline of Beijing, where about 20 new courses are opening this year, according to Golf Digest China, bringing the total to more than 90, more than any other city in China.
The driving range at the National Olympic Sports Training Center in Beijing, located at the massive campus of the government Sports Bureau, where many of the Olympic hopefuls come to unwind and have some fun.The driving range at the National Olympic Sports Training Center in Beijing, located at the massive campus of the government Sports Bureau, where many of the Olympic hopefuls come to unwind and have some fun.
Practice at the driving range at the National Olympic Sports Training Center. The range isn't just for athletes -- it's open to the public, too.Practice at the driving range at the National Olympic Sports Training Center. The range isn't just for athletes -- it's open to the public, too.
A heavily loaded bicycle in Beijing. There used to be nine million bicycles in Beijing; now most of them have been replaced by cars. There are 3.3 million automobiles in Beijing, and 1,350 new ones on the road on average every day.A heavily loaded bicycle in Beijing. There used to be nine million bicycles in Beijing; now most of them have been replaced by cars. There are 3.3 million automobiles in Beijing, and 1,350 new ones on the road on average every day.
The Silk Street Pearl Market in Beijing, which is now a giant shopping mall, with insistent young saleswomen in each booth.The Silk Street Pearl Market in Beijing, which is now a giant shopping mall, with insistent young saleswomen in each booth.
At the Silk Street Pearl Market, an upstairs corridor is devoted to golf equipment, mostly knockoff clubs.At the Silk Street Pearl Market, an upstairs corridor is devoted to golf equipment, mostly knockoff clubs.
Finding the right club at the Silk Street Pearl Market. A TaylorMade r7 driver has a sticker price of 650 RMB, which is readily reduced to 300, which means I probably could have gotten it for 200 -- about $30. The shop assistant assures me it's the real thing -- yeah, right.Finding the right club at the Silk Street Pearl Market. A TaylorMade r7 driver has a sticker price of 650 RMB, which is readily reduced to 300, which means I probably could have gotten it for 200 -- about $30. The shop assistant assures me it's the real thing -- yeah, right.
The entrance to the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club, which comes with views of the Great Wall of China, a luxury hotel, a monumentally extravagant building called the White House (above, behind the gate), a spa, an equestrian center, 45 holes of golf and two enormous clubhouses -- all of it strictly for members and their guests only (membership costs $230,000).The entrance to the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club, which comes with views of the Great Wall of China, a luxury hotel, a monumentally extravagant building called the White House (above, behind the gate), a spa, an equestrian center, 45 holes of golf and two enormous clubhouses -- all of it strictly for members and their guests only (membership costs $230,000).
The "White House" at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club, where Bill Clinton once stayed in the Presidential Suite.The "White House" at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club, where Bill Clinton once stayed in the Presidential Suite.
Jack Nicklaus designed the course at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club, the best golf course in the city.Jack Nicklaus designed the course at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club, the best golf course in the city.
One of the two enormous clubhouses at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club.One of the two enormous clubhouses at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club.
Caddies at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club. Throughout Asia, caddies are almost always women. Very few of them are encouraged to play the game.Caddies at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club. Throughout Asia, caddies are almost always women. Very few of them are encouraged to play the game.
The 18th hole sign at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club.The 18th hole sign at the Beijing Pine Valley Golf Club.
Though the memory of tanks in Tiananmen Square is still fresh, China is a country in the midst of a massive, frenetic makeover. Freed from the straightjacket of the mandatory blue Mao suit, decades of repressed desires have been unleashed.Though the memory of tanks in Tiananmen Square is still fresh, China is a country in the midst of a massive, frenetic makeover. Freed from the straightjacket of the mandatory blue Mao suit, decades of repressed desires have been unleashed.
Hoops action at Tiananmen Square.Hoops action at Tiananmen Square.
Napping at Tiananmen Square.Napping at Tiananmen Square.
The Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club in Beijing. The pollution is bad. It hurts your eyes and scorches your throat. The day looks like when you turn the color down on the TV and turn the brightness way up.The Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club in Beijing. The pollution is bad. It hurts your eyes and scorches your throat. The day looks like when you turn the color down on the TV and turn the brightness way up.
A peaceful setting for lunch at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club. Before golf, lunch is served. Seven women in embroidered silk suits line the steps to the restaurant, bow and say "good morning."A peaceful setting for lunch at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club. Before golf, lunch is served. Seven women in embroidered silk suits line the steps to the restaurant, bow and say "good morning."
The clubhouse at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club.The clubhouse at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club.
Clothing available at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club.Clothing available at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club.
The satin-gloved, silk-trousered caddies at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club. Each player gets a golf cart, a senior caddie, an assistant caddie and a hand-held GPS unit.The satin-gloved, silk-trousered caddies at the Bayhood No. 9 Golf Club. Each player gets a golf cart, a senior caddie, an assistant caddie and a hand-held GPS unit.
Liang Wen-chong, Hu Mu and Zhang Lian-wei after the third round of the BMW Asian Open at Tomson Golf Club in Shanghai, China.Liang Wen-chong, Hu Mu and Zhang Lian-wei after the third round of the BMW Asian Open at Tomson Golf Club in Shanghai, China.
The Chinese flag waves over the Great Wall in Beijing. In 1995, during a pre-game promotional photo shoot for the first China Open, Daniel Chopra, Sandy Lyle and Gary Nicklaus became the first people to hit golf balls off the Great Wall.The Chinese flag waves over the Great Wall in Beijing. In 1995, during a pre-game promotional photo shoot for the first China Open, Daniel Chopra, Sandy Lyle and Gary Nicklaus became the first people to hit golf balls off the Great Wall.
