On the Road Series: UK Independent Travel (Part 5)

Day 10: Arrived in York by train.

The ancient city walls of York, not far from the train station. They are the best-preserved and longest medieval city walls in the UK.

Checked into Hampton by Hilton York.

Started a day trip in York.

Boat ride on the River Ouse.

Clifford's Tower is one of the few remaining remnants of York Castle. From the tower, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of all of York. Clifford's Tower was the site of one of the most violent riots in British history. In 1190 AD, some Christian merchants, in order to repudiate their debts to Jewish bankers, resorted to the atrocity of destroying the Jewish community. Finally, 150 surviving Jews fled to the site of Clifford's Tower for refuge and were eventually forced to commit suicide there.

Memories of childhood.

The Shambles, also known as Diagon Alley, is York's most famous shopping street, with fairytale-like buildings. It is also the best-preserved and oldest medieval street in the UK to date. This is where the young wizards in the Harry Potter film series buy various magical props and books.

York Minster, also known as St. Peter's Cathedral, is the largest existing medieval Gothic cathedral in Europe and one of the most exquisite churches in the world in terms of design and architectural art. It is extremely grand and solemn, taking over 200 years to complete.

Inside the cathedral are stained glass windows. Here is the largest medieval stained glass window in the world, as well as the oldest Five Sisters Window in York Minster.

The arched ceiling is a feature common to all European churches.

The choir stalls and small chapel of the cathedral.

Shops along the streets of York.

The cute owl in the Museum Gardens located north of York city center.

The ruined St. Mary's Abbey in the gardens. Although now reduced to broken walls and ruins, St. Mary's Abbey was the wealthiest and most powerful abbey in Northern England at the time.

Streets on the way back to the hotel.

View from the hotel window.

Day 11: After breakfast, went to the station and took the train back to London.

Arrived at London King's Cross station.

Platform 9¾, located between platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross station, marked by three pillars. It is the platform in Harry Potter that leads to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A link connecting the magical world and the real world.

Checked into the Westbourne Hyde Park Hotel.

Hyde Park is the most famous and largest royal park in the UK, covering an area of 2.5 square kilometers. It is divided into Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens by the Serpentine Lake. In the midst of a bustling city, such a boundless green field brings much joy to visitors.

Harrods is the most famous and upscale department store in London, with a history of over 150 years. Harrods has seven floors, offering everything from high-end fashion and accessories to the finest home furnishings and cutting-edge technological devices. Top global luxury goods are gathered here, with everything you could imagine. Moreover, both the architecture and interior decoration exude an aristocratic style.

Queued up waiting for tax refund.

Returned to the Westbourne Hyde Park Hotel.

Scenery near the hotel.

Day 12: Went shopping at Bicester Village, located near Oxford, UK. Took a train from London Marylebone station operated by Chiltern Railways to Bicester Village Station, then walked to Bicester Village.

Day 13: Took an Uber to Gatwick Airport. Queued at the airport to handle tax refund procedures. Time was tight, so did not visit the airport duty-free shops. Boarded a Boeing 777 at 15:15 and arrived at Doha Hamad International Airport at 23:59.

Day 14: After an 11-hour layover at Hamad International Airport, boarded the flight back to Beijing.

Day 15: Arrived at Beijing Capital Airport at 00:20 AM. Checked into Ibis Styles Hotel (Beijing Capital Airport branch). The hotel offers a free airport pickup service.

The UK independent travel from August 18 to September 1 came to a successful conclusion.

On the Road Series: More exciting content, stay tuned!