Beijing - Page 1

Probably the most well-known and most photographed site in Beijing, the Tiananmen ('Gate of Heavenly Peace') entrance to the Forbidden City sits forebodingly across a busy street from the infamous Tiananmen Square. The banner on the left reads 'Long Live the Peoples Republic of China' while the one on the right reads 'Long live the great unity of all the world's people.' And, of course, there is a picture of Chairman Mao (Mao Tze-tung) over the main gate into the Forbidden City.

Our two days in Beijing were the busiest two days of the whole trip. We visited the following sites, all pretty much well-known attractions:

• the Sacred Way in the Valley of the Tombs (including the Changling Exhibition Hall of Ming Tomb artifacts)
• the Temple of Heaven
• the Forbidden City including the Imperial Palace and Gardens
• the Summer Palace
• the Great Wall

The following pages contain pictures taken in Beijing at the various sites mentioned above. I didn't get as many pictures in Beijing as I would've liked. We were rushed from place to place, and, after a while, a lot of the old temples and buildings began to look alike. Being there was one thing. Taking a lot of pictures was another. I was 'pictured-out.'

Just like Shanghai, Beijing is a busy traffic-laden modern city filled with people, history, and culture. This trip we mostly saw 'touristy' stuff. We hope to go back there someday to see more of the present day city that is Beijing.

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