After a glorious time in Hong Kong, me and Erin parted ways and I began a solo trip to the Great Ancient Capital of China! That's right: BEIJING. Beijing, is known for its palaces, temples and stone walls. In 1949, revered Communist party leader, Mao Ze Dong announced from Tian'anmen Square the creation of the People's Republic of China (PROC) and named the city Beijing. Beijing's population is rapidly increasing (19 million) and Chinese government is putting strain on the number of births each year. Although Beijing has low birth rates, the elderly are in abundance, posing a threat to urbanization. My tour guide, Kristine (a native of China) stated that there are so many people and such limited space in Beijing that each year residents have to apply in order to purchase a vehicle. In other words, 200 people a year are allowed to purchase vehicles; if their application is not chosen for that year, then they have to reapply the next year. This way the government can control traffic. Despite the abundance of people in Beijing, I found a most delightful adventure scouring the stunning architecture of the GREAT WALL, the vast openness of TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the epic grounds of the FORBIDDEN CITY, the prestige of the SUMMER PALACE and the boldness of the TEMPLE OF HEAVEN.
Yuan (currency) with revered Communist leader, Mao Ze Dong
I flew into FREEZING (seriously, it was bitterly cold) Beijing, and was instantly greeted by my tour guide, Kristine. With her help and transportation, my first stop was TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE. Located at the center of Beijing, is the Tian'anmen Square, translated to mean "Gate of Heaven." Tian'anmen Square is the world's largest city square, and has been the center for many important historical Chinese events. Built during the Ming dynasty in 1415, the square serves as a gate to the Forbidden City.
Beyond the gates of Tian'anmen Square lies the epic grounds of the FORBIDDEN CITY. The Forbidden City is the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. It covers about 178 acres and houses roughly 90 palaces and courtyards. IT IS MASSIVE!!! To protect the palace, it is surrounded by a 30 foot high wall, and watchtowers at every corner. Due to its extreme enormity, the palace is split into 2 districts: the outer courts and the inner palaces. The OUTER COURT is filled with 3 buildings: the Hall of Supreme Harmony (largest and most important-home of the Emperor's Dragon Throne), the Hall of Central Harmony (resting place of the Emperor) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (used for banquets). The INNER COURT is equally filled with 3 main buildings: the Palace of Heavenly Peace (the Emperor's sleeping quarters), the Palace of Union & Peace (where the Emperor's seals were stored) and the Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility (the Emperor's wedding room). It is treasure house of Chinese cultural and historical relics. This palace has been the home to 24 Chinese emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Entering the Palace...HUGE doors! There are gold knobs (9x9). 9 was considered the most powerful number, thus the Emperor wanted to make the statement of supreme power.
Inside the outer courtyard. Behind me is the the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Inside the Hall of Central Harmony
Hall of Preserved Harmony
During the Opium War of 1856, British officers stormed through the Forbidden City, taking most of the gold, silks, and fine items. These large pure gold pots have been scratched almost bare.
Passing through the Gate of Heavenly Purity
Palace of Union & Peace
Palace of Imperial Peace
The palace is surrounded by bronze statues that are meant to protect and guide the Emperor.
The tiger resembles power.
This little creature has the head of a dragon (power) and the body of a turtle (stable), and is thus named Turtoise.
Crane, symbolizing wisdom
Fiery dragon, symbolizing fierceness and power
Hill of Accumulated Elegance, artificially made of rocks
I finally made it~ I have officially EXITED the Forbidden City
Moats (156 feet long) surrounding the Forbidden City.
The water is frozen, because like I mentioned, it was like 17 degrees! COLD.
After the Forbidden City, I went to the Jade Company, where they specialize in every color of jade, carvings and magnificent jewlery.
Happy Family Jade Ball (about the size of an apple)
Green jade ship, with carvings of the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Pagoda's, dragons and more.
(stands about 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide) It was GIGANTIC!!
Jade Terracotta Warrior
The NEXT DAY, I woke up early on a quest to see THE GREAT WALL~
The Great Wall served to protect the Northern borders of the Chinese Empire against. It starts on the west of China and runs along the border of Mongolia and moves southeast, covering more than 5,000 miles!! This magnificent structure took over 200 years to build. My tour guide brought me to the MUTIANYU section of the wall, which is the best preserved section. This section of the wall was built in the mid-6th century under General Xu Da (Ming dynasty). The wall is built mainly of granite, and walls measure about 24 feet tall.
Due to tourism, there have been many additions to facilitate easier transportation to the top of the wall. I was able to take a cable car (about a 5 minute ride) to the top, and on the way down, I was thrilled to take a toboggan ride. This experience was every girls dream, let me tell you!~
Entrance...and a map of the Great Mutianyu
All the peddlers, trying to sell souvenirs
Almost to the top...
I made it to the top! Looking out across the mountains
Kristine (my tour guide) and me inside one of the many watchtowers
A debut appearance of the "Traveling Stache"
To my dismay, it was time to go...so daringly, I pursue the toboggan ride, descending down the mountain...
Safely secure, I head down the mountain in my little toboggan of joy
NEXT, I head to the TEMPLE OF HEAVEN.
Built between 1406-1420, the Temple of Heaven literally means Altar of Heaven. It is a 3-tiered circular building 114 feet tall . Uniquely enough, this building is made ENTIRELY of wood...that means NO nails, NO cement or other securing agents. It is the only remaining building like this in China today. Chinese people believed that earth was square and heaven was a circle. Thus, the building is circle, to represent heaven, and the surrounding grounds are square, to represent earth. The roofs are blue, symbolizing the color of heaven. The Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visit annually to perform ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.
Inside: altar used to make sacrifices and prayers
Looking into a mini model of the Temple of Heaven
Choir outside the grounds. They show their dedication in serving. They believe that singing will allow them more blessings of having a good harvest.
NEXT, I went to a SILK FACTORY. I was able to see how the silk worm is used to make silk.
This company harvests millions of silk worms and many silk kimonos, pajamas, bed sheets, robes and many more things are made in this cute little factory. Chinese silk is one of the most prized items; every and all nations spend big bucks to have silk goods imported from China. SUCH a cool experience.
The life of a silkworm-it starts out as an egg and then grows to a worm that makes a cocoon.
Silk loom
Buckets filled with silk worm cocoons. It is hooked onto the silk loom
The NEXT DAY, I went to the SUMMER PALACE,
Otherwise known as the Gardens of Nurtured Harmony, it was the home of the Dragon Empress (Cixi).
She is famously known as "the concubine who became China's last Empress."
She grew to reign merely because she was one of the Emperor's concubines who bore him a son, making him heir to the throne. After her son grew, he became ill and died. The Dragon Empress was very stubborn and power hungry. She loved gardens and lakes and made this Some researchers claim that she went to extreme measures to anyone who threatened her rule and reign. She was investigated at the sudden death of Alute, who was soon to reign.
The Summer Palace is full of gardens, Kunming Lake (man made), corridors, palaces, Longevity Hill and much more.
Kunming Lake (it was frozen)
Longevity Hill
Entering the Palace...
Gate Tower of Cloud Retaining Eaves
Windows looking out to the lake
Mural of the Dragon Empress
Workplace where the telephone was first used around 1880
Long Corridor (Jade Belt), measuring 2,184 feet and is hand painted with more than 14,000 paintings~
The MARBLE BOAT, a landmark lakeside pavilion. It is 108 feet long and has 2 decks. As the Dragon Empress enjoyed the scenery of the lake and Longevity Hill, she often had breakfast and dinner on the boat. She designed the boat to resemble European architecture, using marble and mosaic.
NEXT, I headed to the SOUTH CHINA SEA PEARL FACTORY.
South Sea pearls are the largest commercially harvested pearls in the world. In Beijing, oysters are freshly caught in the South Sea, which is located in the south of China.
I was able to hold the oyster and cut it open with a knife. Inside the oyster, there were about 20 pearls. It was SUPER fun and an experience of a lifetime~
The oyster I cut open. You can see tiny white pearls on the upper halves.
The time had drawn to an end, & I was headed back to Taipei. On the way to the airport, I was able to see the Bird's Nest, where the 2008 Olympics were held.
I guess my love for traveling was made manifest when I stopped to think: Wow, have I really been on 4 planes in the last 8 days?!
Beijing Airport
Yep, that's me... I confess, I am a foreigner~
Once I landed in Taipei, it was kind of a funny story...As a working foreigner, I had to acquire a Visa to legally reside in Taiwan. Taiwan had issued me an Alien Resident Card (ARC) which guarantees residency for at least 6 months. Well, since I went traveling AFTER my contract ended, my employer retracted our ARC Visa, so...LEGALLY, I could remain in Taiwan (without a Visa) for up to 14 days. But, when I came back through immigration, they wanted to see my original ARC, in which I only had a copy. Needless to say, there were some moments of craziness, and I thought I would be arrested for illegal immigration. Did I mention that I don't speak Chinese, so the language barrier was AWESOME (blah) in this tight predicament... Good thing I finally gave them my word that I would not be leaving the airport, which was true. I stored my luggage at the airport, so I picked up my luggage and waited for my flight to Los Angeles to depart. Talk about a scary headache...
Yay ~ America ~
I had a overnight layover, plus the jetlag from taking a 12 hour flight from Taiwan. Basically at this point, I hadn't slept for over 24 hours. But, I couldn't sleep now, I was almost home! ~
About 7 months later, I reunite with my bestie ~ My sissy!
~ I. Will. Never. Rid. Myself. From. The. Victory. Asian. Sign. ~
My mama
My dadda
~ It has been about 3 months since I crossed the ocean back to America. And, frankly, it has been quite difficult to get adjusted back to normal life. I am still trying, actually. Taiwan was the BEST experience I could ever have. I made so MANY memories, GREAT friends and ADVENTURES. It was definitely difficult to say goodbye to my students, my bike, Hi Chews, and the 4th floor of FUN ~
Riding home from the airport, my sister asked if I wanted to go to Cabo San Lucas with them in a few weeks.....of course, my traveling days are NOT over, so I ecstatically agreed ~
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HONG KONG
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HONG KONG