China day 11: Beijing. | Perfect Planet

Submitted by maria on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 20:20

Before returning to Tiananmen Square we visited an old modernized hutong, shops of the best fashion brands, tram, restaurants ... it is a pity that this is the trend of the city.

Mausel of Mao

Quianmen Tower

National Museum of China

The largest square in the world is flanked by the National Museum of China, the People's Palace, the Quianmen Tower and the Tiananmen Gate from where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is known worldwide for the protests of 1989. (very interesting the Drum Tower and the Bell).

Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City entrance

In the center of the Mausel of Mao, there was a line so huge that we did not even think of entering.

The Forbidden City is an extraordinary palace complex, it was the official residence of the emperors and political center of the Chinese government. We walk around its marble bridges, courtyards, halls with the emperors' quarters and their gardens. It is an essential place if you visit Beijing.

The Forbidden City

After lunch we visit the Beihai Park which was originally an imperial garden, highlighting its temples, gardens and lakes. It is enormous. The views from the top of the hill are impressive.