On the Road Series: UK Independent Travel (Part 1)
Day 1: Departed from Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 at 01:50 on a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, flew for 8 hours 50 minutes, and arrived at Doha Hamad International Airport at 05:40 local time.
After a 3-hour 20-minute layover, boarded a Qatar Airways Airbus 350 at 09:00, flew for 7 hours 10 minutes, and arrived at London Heathrow Airport at 14:10 local time.
After exiting the airport, took an Uber to check in at The Tower Hotel London, located at St Katharine’s Way, Tower Hamlets, London, Greater London, E1W 1LD, UK.
Tower Bridge is a bascule and suspension bridge, named for its proximity to the Tower of London. Construction began in 1886, and it opened to the public on June 30, 1894, connecting the north and south areas of London. Tower Bridge is the first bridge from the mouth of the River Thames in London (there are 15 bridges across the Thames) and is a symbol of London, known as the "Gateway to London."
On the opposite bank of the Thames are the Walkie-Talkie building and the "Gherkin" skyscraper.
The HMS Belfast, a light cruiser of the Royal Navy's Edinburgh class, is moored on the Thames. It served with distinction in World War II and is the only surviving ship from the Normandy landings. Now converted, it is berthed on the Thames beside Tower Bridge and is under the administration of the Imperial War Museum, open to visitors from around the world.
Heading to The Shard, passing by Borough Market and London Bridge Station.
The Shard is a 95-story, 310-meter-tall skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano on the south bank of the Thames in London. It is reached by taking two elevators to the top. The first elevator takes passengers to the 33rd floor, and the second goes from the 33rd floor to the top. It is the second tallest building in Europe, after the Mercury City Tower in Moscow. The overall shape of The Shard is wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, with the spire gradually disappearing into the sky, resembling a 16th-century spire or the mast of a tall ship.
Dinner could have been arranged at the "Hutong" restaurant on the 33rd floor of The Shard, but without a reservation, we had Western-style British cuisine at Aqua Shard on the 31st floor. Then we returned to the hotel by the same route to rest.
Day 2: Scenic views around The Tower Hotel London in the early morning.
After breakfast, started a day tour of central London. London City Hall and The Shard on the south bank of the Thames.
The Tower of London is an iconic palace and fortress in London, England. James I (1566-1625) was the last monarch to use it as a royal residence. The Tower has served as a fortress, armory, treasury, mint, palace, observatory, refuge, and prison, particularly for high-status prisoners. It was last used as a prison during World War II. Unfortunately, we did not enter the site to visit.
St. Paul's Cathedral, renowned for its magnificent large dome, is the largest cathedral in England and the second-largest dome church in the world, ranking among the five great cathedrals of the world. Originally built in 604 AD, it suffered multiple destructions and reconstructions. A great fire in 1666 destroyed the previous Gothic cathedral. The current building was designed and built by the famous English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Construction began in 1675 and was completed in 1710. Most important royal weddings, baptisms, and funerals are held at Westminster Abbey, but the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the funeral of Margaret Thatcher took place here.
In the small square in front of the cathedral stands a stone statue of Queen Anne, who was on the throne when the cathedral was completed in 1710.
The passage connecting the main entrance on the west and the central dome is called the Nave, flanked by the North Aisle and the South Aisle. On the north and south sides are the North Transept and the South Transept. Ahead is the most ornate and solemn part of the cathedral—the High Altar. The walls are adorned with large paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and saints. The interior is filled with strong religious overtones throughout the hall.
Looking up at the dome from the center of the cathedral, the colorful scenes are dazzling.
The Nelson Memorial commemorates the glorious life of General Nelson, Britain's greatest naval hero, who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The monument features a fierce lion, symbolizing the brave warriors who died in battle.
The monument to Charles Cornwallis.
The arched hall inside the cathedral is inlaid with stained glass, creating a surreal effect when sunlight streams in.
The crypt is mainly used to house the tombs of national heroes and celebrities, with over 200 burials and monuments, including the tombs of Admiral Horatio Nelson, General Arthur Wellesley (who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo), and Sir Christopher Wren, the cathedral's architect.
Climbing hundreds of steps leads to the dome, where there are three galleries. The most famous is the Whispering Gallery—if you speak into one of the openings, it can be heard at any other opening, due to the remarkable acoustic effect. Continuing upward leads to the Stone Gallery on the outside of the dome, and further up to the Golden Gallery at the very top, 85.4 meters above ground level, offering an excellent panoramic view of central London.
Around 11:30, the Changing of the Guard ceremony concluded in front of Buckingham Palace, with guards marching away.
Buckingham Palace is the royal residence of the British monarch, and one of the world's five great palaces, alongside the Forbidden City, the Kremlin, the White House, and the Palace of Versailles. It is located in Westminster, London. Address: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA. The palace was built here in the 16th century and became the official royal residence after Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837. It serves as the principal residence and office of the British monarch in London and is one of the venues for state ceremonies and royal welcomes. Visits require advance online booking; photography is not allowed inside, but its magnificent and lavish architectural features are stunning. It is worth going inside to see!
Westminster Cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster in London, the largest Catholic church in England, located on Victoria Street in Westminster.
London cityscape.
Exterior view of Westminster Abbey.
Big Ben under renovation.
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, is the meeting place of the UK Parliament (including the House of Commons and the House of Lords). Visits can be booked online in advance. The Palace of Westminster is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The building includes about 1,100 separate rooms, 100 staircases, and 4.8 kilometers of corridors. Although largely rebuilt in the 19th century, it retains many original historical features, such as Westminster Hall (dating back to 1097), which is used today for major public ceremonies, such as the lying in state before a state funeral.
10 Downing Street
The Household Cavalry Museum
The London Eye, also called the Millennium Wheel, was built to celebrate the turning of the millennium in the UK. This giant Ferris wheel is 135 meters high and offers a panoramic view of London.
One Blackfriars
Tate Modern
To be continued in the next episode, which will be even more exciting. Stay tuned!
