Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

This morning we were up at 6:00am and down to breakfast by 6:30am. After eating we returned to our room to get our things for the day. Around 8:15am we met the group and got on the bus to make our way to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Today the smog is gone and we were greeted with sunny skies. We also got cold and wind. It was especially cold out in the open in Tiananmen Square. Even with the wind and cold it was still better that having the sky blocked by smog. So we just bundled up and kept going. We walked to different areas of the square and Arnold told us about the history and the buildings around the square. The square contains the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Arnold talked about each of these as we moved around. I took pictures and thought about the only thing I knew about Tiananmen Square – the 1989 protests that took place here. It was certainly a different scene here today. A beautiful square with people enjoying a sunny day – peaceful.

From the square we crossed the road via an underground pedestrian tunnel over to the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is enormous. Arnold walked us around to different areas and talked about the history that took place here. We spent about three hours walking around, learning history and admiring the construction of the buildings. By the time we left for lunch at 1:00pm my head was spinning. So much information and history – it is amazing. And to compare that to the United States with only a little over 240 years of history. This trip has been amazing, to visit and see so many things I have only seen in pictures and to get a better understanding of the Chinese culture is something I never thought would happen. Being here has given me a whole different understanding of China. I have loved every minute of being here.

From the Forbidden City we headed to a local restaurant for lunch. It was one of our typical Chinese meal with dishes served on a lazy susan that we all shared. Lunch was delicious and after an hour and a half we returned to the hotel. Back at the hotel we had a couple of hours to relax or do what we wanted. Thomas and I packed to get ready for leaving Beijing tomorrow morning – our last internal China flight. I also edited some pictures and journaled.

At 5:00pm we went down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. They had a buffet with lots to choose from. It was a really good meal. Then at 6:30pm a small group of us left the hotel and went to a show – The Legend of Kung Fu at the Red Theater. I thought that the show might be cheesy but it turned out to be very entertaining and beautiful. It was 9:30pm by the time we got back to the hotel. I was sure glad I had packed earlier because now I could just go to sleep and get some rest for our travel day tomorrow.

We also spent time today saying goodbye to most of the group. Today was our last day together. Most of the group goes home tomorrow. A couple of people are staying a few extra days in Beijing and six of us are headed to Guilin and Hong Kong. Everyone on the trip has been amazing and we have enjoyed everyone. There were 33 of us and it worked out great. We even made a couple of new friends. It is kind of sad to be saying goodbye after 16 days.