Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Arrival in Beijing




After wrapping up our stay in South Korea it was on to Beijing China. I have to say that I'm surprised by Beijing. It's a very modern, upscale city and the air quality is much better than I have heard would be the case. Of course, I'm told that just a few years ago the impression would have been much different. The Olympic games had an incredible impact on this city (not all of which was positive, but clearly for the most part it was a "Great Leap Forward" to quote Chairman Mao). The pictures are of a shrine in the Forbidden City, yours truely at the south gate of the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, respectively. The Forbidden City, home of the emperors of the Ming and Ching dynasties was amazing. It was massive, with seemingly endless palaces, halls, living quarters and shrines surrounding vast courtyards. Only the royal families, government officials, servants and concubines could enter the city (hence the "Forbidden" name). The Temple of Heaven was amazing also. It's here that people gather throughout the day to exercise, dance, sing, make music, fly kites and play various games in the huge park and on the courtyards and plazas that surround the temple. It's truely beautiful. This is probably the most interesting place I've ever been.


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