Tian'amen Square - Blogabond

Went to Tian'amen Square yesterday. Took the metro train which was very covenient. One ticket is 1 Yuan or about 15 cents. I had to take Train #5 to Wondong and then transfer to Train #1. No transfers needed if you stay within the metro stations. Anyway, it was hot as hell yesterday. About 92 if my conversion is right. Humid, no wind. Today I am a bit sunburned since I walked forever yesterday. More on that later.

The above picture is from within the square itself. The building is the National Chinese Museum. Didn't go inside because I wanted to do other things. When I return to Beijing next month, I will go inside the museum as well as Mao's Memorial Museum that has his embalmed body. There are no bags allowed inside and I had my backpack so I wasn't allowed in.

Below is where the government offices are mostly located. I think Hillary and Geitner are inside as I type this discussing trade and commerce.

Here I am standing in front of the People's Monument:

I don't know if you can read the inscription

but when it was finally completed in '58, it was at the time the largest monument in all of China. Don't know if it still is or not. Took 6 or so years to build. Here's another shot from the front:

I haven't screened the pics so hopefully they are clear enough.

From Tian'amen Square, you can look across the street to see the Forbidden City. Here's a shot from across the street:

When the military would have their parades, Mao would be seated above his picture. To the right and left (I didn't take pictures) are many boxes where the other government officials and dignitaries would be seated. Today, they still have parades (I think they are on Oct 1 every year to celebrate when Mao came into power in 1949) and so the street is closed off to traffic and the military marches in front of the building.

The picture below is of the White Pagoda:

It is located about two miles away from the Forbidden City in a beautiful area called Beihai (Bay Hi) Park. The pagoda represents a monument built by one of the dynasties way back when.

This next picture is of a monument built for one of the dynasties:

Here is it's description:

After I left this park is when the real odyssey began. The map I have is not to scale and so with some bends in the roads I was following I ended up doing two 360 degree walks, each of which was approximately 2 miles. I was so disappointed when at the end of each one I found myself to be one block further east then when I had started. The blog I left last night was at the end of my second 360.

I eventually made it back to the hostel at about 5:30. When I got back here, I ate and talked with some folks I have met here. Here's the picture:

I can't see the picture clearly but from left to right is:
some guy from Germany that doesn't speak english, a guy named Matt (greenish/blue shirt) from some english speaking country (can't remember), Wilhelm (the other German's cousin who DOES speak english), some nut bag from New York named Nickie (black outfit), Gaya from Israel (blue in foreground)，Natalie in the back from France (she left for Dubai this morning), and then Andrew from Australia. Natalie and I talked about her travels (she's been traveling for 10 months) which was fascinating. Malaysia, New Zealand, London, Mongolia (where Gaya and her boyfriend Ben are leaving for today), Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Tibet. I'm sure I left off a few places. What an adventure she has had.

The gal at the bar is Christina. She has been teaching me Chinese and I have been teaching her American Sign Language. She's a much faster learner than I!

So now, I will not post any more until Friday (Thursday your time). I leave in a little while for Hong Kong/Shenzhen. I'll take a 'T' train which is quite fast. Nevertheless, it will take 23 hours to get there. I have the top bunk in a hard sleeper. Hard just means a thinner matress and more bunk-mates. There will be 6 in my cabin. Who knows who they will be but I'll find out shortly. I'll take pics of the train, the ride, and then the hostel where I will be staying. I don't get in until 7:40 tomorrow night so if I am not beat, I'll download, with luck, pics and try and blog. I'll be checking email, too, so you can always write there as well if you don't want to leave comments here.

I'm doing great! My feet are a bit sore from walking so far yesterday in some pretty lusy sandals but all in all I am great.

Until tomorrow....

written by

akstoltzy on May 25, 2010 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: China

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Even in China, you meet so many people! Keep blogging...I think a lot of people are following, even if they don't leave comments. The train ride sounds horrific, good luck...can't wait to see pics of that! :)

written by Lori on May 26, 2010

Okay....time for me to ADMIT that Im ADDICTED to this blog site!
Every morning ad every evening, gotta check this out

history lesson for me.....much more fasincinating!!!!
amazing storyteller, pics and a true adventurer!
Keep them coming......

Be safe be well

written by Dana Craig on May 27, 2010

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