A Big Adventure in China

We spent four straight days exploring only a small portion of China and ended up with hundreds of photographs and a few new friends.

So, here we go. (in no particular order)

The Olympic structures are quite impressive. The structures are not being used on a daily bases because there are no organized sporting events (teams) in China. The massive investment made in these facilities may turn out to be the future museums of the country. 

 

Beijing is the Capital of China and home to 16 mil people. Since 1979 the country has been opened to more western trade. Many modern buildings line the cities business district. There are currently 5 ring roads around the city with plans for a 6th. Many of the old traditions are maintained while incorporating some ideas of the west. Families are still important and the young are still expected to take care of their parents. The one birth per family is still in place with many exceptions.

 

The Great Wall is one of the wonders of ancient China. Over 7350 K in length (4300 mi) this defensive structure was first built over 2700 years ago. Watch towers line the wall to serve as look outs and warrior resting locations. The wall varies in height (25 to 40 feet) and width (15 to 25 feet). Over 1 mil worked on the wall and those that perished during construction were buried in the wall. The center portion of the wall is rock and earth with a flat stone surface. 

 

Shanghai was our kickoff point to the Great Wall thus limiting our ability to see the sites. All of modern finance, trade, science and technology centers have been built in the last 20 years on the east side of the Huangpu River. Approximately 18 mil people live in the Shanghai metro area and is China’s largest city. The city was self governing and influenced greatly by western culture until the Communist Party came to power. It entered the English language as a verb meaning “to kidnap.”

 

Hong Kong was reunited with China in 1998 and is now an administrative region of China. A British Colony prior to that it has enjoyed the glitter of the west. The islands were occupied during WWII by the Japanese and then had more than 1 mil refugees come in after the Communist took over China. Famous for clothing, electronics, watches, jewelry, china, optical goods, cameras and more, retail shops line the streets with elaborate signage. Bargain hard and get it made in an hour. 

  

The Ming Tombs are northwest of Beijing & cover 40 Sq Km. The site is in a horse shoe shaped valley with mountains on the three sides. 13 emperors have burial sites in the valley. It was thought that the emperors would continue their rule form the mountains as the shape of the basin gives the notion of a natural throne. The Sacred Way leads the basin and is lined with stone statues of Warriors and animals standing & resting. Standing to guard the tombs & resting to be the guards tomorrow. 

 

Tian’an mem Square is said capable of holding 500000 people. It served as the entrance to the Forbidden City & now is the plaza in front of the National Assembly Building. A memorial to the fallen China soldiers is in the plaza. Mao se Tung’s mausoleum & Memorial Hall is opposite of the Forbidden City. The National Museum of China History is opposite the Assembly Building. Rallies & celebrations are held in the square & who can forget the student confrontation with the tanks in the 80’s.

  

The Forbidden City was just that to the peasants. Reserved for the Emperors and the ruling class the area was used for grand ceremonies. The city is surrounded by a moat and wall and protected with corner towers. Court business was conducted in the city and it also served as the seat of imperial power in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The walled City covers 720000 Sq M (160 ac) and is 750 by 960 meters. The site is now called the Palace Museum. 

 

Temple of Heaven was a venue for Emperors to offer sacrifices to Heaven & pray for good harvest. The temple is divided into two parts. There is an Altar of Prayer for Grain & a Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest that were used in the spring on the north side of the compound. The south side contained an Altar to offer sacrifice to the heavens on the Winter Solstice. The emperors never walked in the compound, they were carried to the different sites and would participate in ceremonial plantings.