Our Guy in China S01E02 - Beijing

Guy Martin explores Beijing, ignoring the tourist traps and following his own often eccentric passions as he reveals a lesser-seen side of China. In a backstreet bicycle shop he spends ú18 on a rudimentary 'Flying Pigeon', the most produced machine in the world. Under the reign of Chairman Mao it was the only approved mode of transport for workers, with some 500 million built. Guy meets families who live on a scrapyard, earning a living by processing old cars. He's pleasantly surprised by the yard's efficiency and cleanliness, and spending the afternoon helping out by operating the cranes and machinery is Guy's idea of the perfect holiday. Inequality is a huge problem in China, with one per cent of the nation controlling half the wealth.