September 14th – Beijing City

 

Well we learned a lot about traffic and masses of humanity today. There are 20 million people in the city of Beijing and 4 million private cars. Most of them were in front of us most of the day! We used a tour company and were glad we did. The first stop was Tiananmen square. The first obvious attraction on this 144 hectare square is the large masoluem on the center for Chairman Mao. You have to be a Chinese citizen to visit his coffin. It is made of crystal, and is cold stored most of the day. The viewing is from 8-1pm and the line is long….. Great buildings on left and right of Beijing Museum and Great people’s hall/ North side is portrait and entrance to Forbidden city (forbidden to the commoner as it housed emperor and 1000 concubines. Very hot at 40C (about 100F).

 

 

Chairman Mao’s Hall (note line to get it)

 

 

North side of square. Chairman Mao’s photo in center.

 

Dragon boat at Summer Palace. Longest corridor in the world at 870m. Every 10m there is a unique hand painted scene. Marble barge for the “Dragon Lady”.

 

 

Temple of the harvest. No nails – all dovetail joints.

 

The fun one for the day.

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