Beijing on the bounce

Four hours in Beijing airport on the way to Australia... didn't think I'd be allowed out without a visa but soon found myself out at the taxi rank. Jumped in a van with an English-speaking driver and, as we didn't have time to go into town, we headed for Xiedao (Crab Island) a strange resort area with traditional homes and modern entertainment areas. This suspension bridge across a lake of waterlilies and the backdrop of wires caught my eye - as I caught the eye of many Chinese, being the only non-Chinese person there. Would love to go to Beijing proper one day but this beat sitting around the airport.