10/05/07- Beijing (Tian'an Men Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven)

This was a rainy, overcast day but it didn't dampen our good spirits. From the bus we were able to get a “feel” for this city. It is very modern and many new facilities are being added in anticipation of the 2008 Olympics. There are new subways being dug, streets being widened, hotels going up, Olympic venues in construction. The traffic is hectic but somehow under control. Our bus driver was scaring us to death by some maneuvers he accomplished but as the trip went on we became oblivious to what was going on, traffic-wise. Luckily, we did not have any scrapes and only saw one minor accident during the entire time we were in China.

The three days we were in Beijing happened to be national holidays, so besides the normal foreign tourists, there were thousands of Chinese also at the various sites we visited. Many of them were on tours as well. They could be characterized by all wearing the same hats (normally red). Therefore both Tian'an Men Square and the Forbidden City which are just a block apart were mobbed by humanity.

However, we were impressed by the design and size of the public buildings around Tian'an Men Square and, of course, the immenseness and grandeur of the contents of the Forbidden City. Tian'an Men Square is a very large concrete mall with many trees and flower arrangements and monuments that is bordered by Communist-style buildings and ancient gates. In the center is Mao's Mausoleum with it's requisite long lines. To see photos of the Square, click here.

Across the way is the Forbidden City with it's amazing gates, halls, bridges, and statues. We sloshed through the rain and cheerfully followed our guides like good troopers through the crowds, up steps, through gates, into halls, and back to our bus. To see photos of the Forbidden City, click here.

By the end of the morning we were all tired and hungrily devoured lunch at a restaurant. That refreshed us and we were prepared for the afternoon.

In the afternoon we visited the Temple of Heaven, one of the largest temple complexes in China. It was here that the emperor would make sacrifices and pray for a good harvest. Inside the pagoda were beautiful pieces of jade and porcelain art. The temple is situated in a large, pleasant park making it a nice counterbalance to the morning's hectic activities. To see pictures of the Temple, click here.

Dinner that evening was taken at a restaurant known for its dumplings. Prior to being seated we watched them being made. Then we consumed a meal of over 10 different dishes, 4 of which were dumplings or pot stickers. It was yummy and all returned to the hotel very full indeed.