Slightly fries the beef - Beijing Culture

Trip Start Apr 22, 2008
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Trip End Jun 11, 2008


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(Beijing hotels)

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Friday, May 2, 2008

Today Yafan took us on a cultural journey through Beijing. In order to avoid the massive crowds he suggested we leave early for the Temple of Heaven which was quite beautiful. Whether it was smog or not we tended to think of it as an early mist to give ambience to our visit. Yafan was clearly a history buff which was great because he gave meaning and told stories for a lot of what we visited.

China is a place of walls. All emperors were constantly concerned for their safety and built fortresses to protect their dynasties. Shquare or rectangular walls represented the earth and round walls the heavens.

Also blue roofs were only allowed to be used for heavenly places, yellow for emperor buildings, green was also often used for places or workship and the common people were to stick with grey.

The highest point to call to the heavens is the circular stone. It is commonly believed that if you stand on the stone you can talk to god and he will hear you. Jenny this one was for you and Abby.

We then went on to visit the forbidden city. The magnitude of this place can blow your mind and you could easily get lost here for days.

We also visited Tienamen square with 100,000's of others apparently. It can in fact fit 1 million people in it with two people standing on each stone paver.
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