The Bubble Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

Greatland Reviewer: Hello:

This cache page has been archived due to the lack of response to one or more prior Reviewer Note(s) about issue(s) with the cache. If the owner would like to have the cache unarchived, please contact me through my profile as soon as possible before another cache gets placed nearby.

Please note that unarchiving a cache page requires it to go through the same review process as a newly proposed cache, using the cache placement guidelines currently in effect.

Regards,

Greatland Reviewer
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My Profile: http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=6354843d-6bec-4737-8db5-77907f57de8a

More
Hidden : 6/11/2011
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

This is one of Beijing’s newer pieces of architecture and some locals just call it “The Bubble.”

Beijing is quickly becoming a contrast of new and old, traditional and modern. The Bubble is a good example of this phenomenon. Located just a short distance from the iconic Forbidden City that displays such tradition and history, the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is a modern display of new and innovation.

I took an official tour of NCPA and my tour guide was full of interesting details about the center. It is the largest performing arts center in Asia, no big surprise there. It cost 3.4 Billion RMB to build and took 6 years to construct. Construction began in 2002 and was finished in 2008. It holds an opera house, a concert hall, a traditional theater, and a multi-purpose theater all within the same facility. The four performing venues can hold a combined 6000 people to view all the activities at the same time.

An artificial lake encircles the center and the depth of the water varies from 5cm to 50cm. Inside the building is a corridor that is directly under part of the artificial lake. My tour guide told me that if the water is sill (no wind outside) you can see the sky through the water. The tour was a bit expensive, 200rmb, but I enjoyed it very much and because I requested a tour guide in English I was given a one-on-one tour of this beautiful facility (about 45 minutes). Tours in Chinese run every 30 minutes and are free, so bone-up on your Chinese and you can save 200rmb. You also can just walk around yourself and only pay the Visitor Fee of 40rmb. Remember, you also have to add the Visitor Fee if you take a tour. You do not have to go into the NCPA to find the cache, but it is the main reason for coming here.

This location is a very big challenge for placing a cache. There are security personnel, maintenance crews everywhere outside, and a seemingly never ending stream of muggles coming to see this attraction or to attend a performance.

I found a less frequently used area, but stealth is still an important factor. Remember this is a highly visible and important location for the country, it is the “National Theater” and you are only about 1 block away from Tiananmen Square. The greatest level of respect should be observed. This means you will NOT be walking through bushes, and you will NOT have to walk across the grass. Only common places for walking are necessary for this cache.

Hope you have a great time cache hunting.

Big CONGRATULATIONS!!! for R.F. Carter for his "dream come true" FTF in Beijing (Peking). Way to go! I should also recognize Team Garisto for jointly getting the FTF with R.F. Carter. Job well done for both!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Guvf pnpur jvyy erznva nf ybat nf gur fgerrg yvtugf ner jbexvat. Ybbx ng gur cubgb “Sebz Gur Pnpur” naq yvar vg hc gb trg gur evtug ybpngvba. Lbh jvyy arrq gb oevat fbzrguvat gb “chyy” vg bhg bs gur ybpngvba be lbh znl abg or noyr gb trg vg rira vs lbh frr vg. Fbzr ybbx uvtu, fbzr ybbx ybj, ohg guvf bar vf va-orgjrra. Vg vf n anab.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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