Our third day in Beijing.

Our first stop this morning is a visit to the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

 

 

 

 

Tian'anmen Square

 Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Above is the Great Hall of the People.

                         Monument of the People's Hero's

 The photo of Mao is very prominent on the Gate Tower to the Forbidden City.

All backpacks and bags are xrayed before entering the square.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City or also know as the Palace Museum. The Forbidden City, a vast complex of Palaces, which was home to successive Emperors for more than 500 years.

 Note the carved animals on the roof line.

Hutong

Hutong - the 'old city' neighborhoods of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens.

Our first pedicab tour is the recommended way to visit these historic narrow alleyways. Most of them have been bulldozed to make way for new apartments.

In previous times this Hutong, close to the Forbidden Palace, was the home for the administrators that were employed by the Emperor.

This historic area is now protected, well maintained and the housing is at an 'up market' price. All the houses are built around a courtyard, and are designed for multi generations.

Our tour took us to one of the courtyard houses, a different one is open each day for visits by the tourists. The owner of the house we visited is standing on the left, the other 2 ladies are members of his family. They live part of their time in Vancouver.

The house and courtyard are set up with the best house and best location for sun and weather being occupied by the senior generation. Younger generations have the less desirable houses. The courtyard and kitchen are common areas.

The best house always has it's back wall to the North...protection from the winter winds. Hutong nearly always run east-west to ensure that the main gate faces South, satisfying feng shui requirements. This South facing aspect guarantees a lot of sunshine and protection from more negative forces from the North. It is all built on a grid pattern.

On our pedicab return trip runs along a canal connecting the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.

Our last full day in Beijing

 Bicycles as seen out side the gates to the Temple of Heaven Park are a very important form of transport.

 In the Park many people can be seen enjoying dancing, Tia Chi and other sporting activities. Walking through was very peaceful and relaxing.

 The Temple is considered to be the most perfect example of Ming architecture. It is set in a 267 hectare park. The temple halls as seen from above are round and the base is square as the Ancient Chinese believed that heaven is round and the earth is square.

 The grounds around the Temple are a popular spot for wedding photos of brides and grooms. These photo shots are taken weeks and sometimes months before the wedding and are displayed at the wedding reception.

Some of the couples weren't as lavishly dressed to have their photo take.

After leaving the park and taking a local bus, Kathy and Candy found a clothing shop...I had other thoughts.

I found an interesting collection of parked vehicles. Beijing has 7 circle roads, and within the first 3 circles all motorized bicycles, scooters, and 3 wheeled cars had to be electric. All the pictured vehicles above are electric and very original!

XI'AN

After 4 wonderful days in Beijing we are off to the airport and our flight to Xi'an, home of the Terracotta Warriors. The 2 and a half hour flight on China Eastern Airlines was pleasant and comfortable. on arrival we are met by Katherine our guide and our driver.

 On our first day in Xi'an we have the afternoon free. A short walk from our hotel is the well restored city walls that protected the ancient city.

Our hotel as taken from the sidewalk.

  Second day in Xi'an                          

                          A terracotta baking furnace.

 Inside a factory that specializes in reproductions of terracotta warriors and lacquer products.

 Our first views of the 2200 year old Terracotta Warriors interned by the the Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

 During digging for a well the first warrior figures were discovered in 1974

 Thousands of warriors have been found and restored.

                      Horses were also found with the warriors.

Position and headdress would indicate a warriors rank and army specialty, ie archer, cavalry. 

  Emperor Qin's chariots and horses. The horses and chariots were constructed in bronze.