Beijing

Finding food that looked appetizing was usually pretty tough but not as hard as finding internet access. Several times we found ourselves at the "business center" of the hotel spending $30 US/hour.

Day 2. Forbidden City/Tian na men Square. The intricacy of design, coupled with the symbolism and historical significance are almost overwhelming. Given all the behind the scenes political intrigue I can see where kung fu movies get their inspiration. Tian na men Square is still safely in the top 10 list of Orwellian-style government monitored public locations. The government is scared that protesters will tarnish the hard-fought impression that China has civil rights -and that the Chinese are happy with their leadership. The resulting show of force includes security cameras, marching troops, and frequent police patrols. All of which are necessary when your people have more civil rights than they could ask for and are happy with the government.

Day 3. The Great Wall. Truly amazing- not just an overhyped destination. You can really get into how the wall was used as a strategic tool to move troops and defend Mongolian incursions along the perilous mountain range. Better than Friendster (and about tied with Facebook) this network [of walls] greatly improved communication along this rugged border. We had grown accustomed to getting a little dose of propaganda at each tourist spot and we weren’t disappointed here- a museum showcases all the great leaders of the world who have visited the wall, a subtle hint of China’s role as a mover and shaker in the world of international relations.

Day 4. The Hutongs (Ming-era 'alley ways'). These bustling narrow streets filled with small shops and homes with tranquil courtyards are all that’s left of old Beijing. Many of the homes are actually owned by the State and rented out to various state employees. Thank goodness the UAW hasn’t heard about this benefit. We arranged the tour through the hotel, so it was overpriced and slightly under-delivered (the guide was a student in training).

However, the tour was still great because we would have missed a lot if we had set out on our own. For example, China’s social hierarchy is reflected in the design of each home's entry way. Three steps leading to the front door instead of one is a sign of middle class. There were at least four other ‘portal’ factors that indicated the tenant’s status. I am now embarrassed by the entryway of my apartment back home with its cracked cement stairs, peeling paint on the banister and unread newspapers strewn across the lawn.

written by  benjgolf on May 10, 2007 from Beijing, China
from the travel blog: Tour de Asia
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