Beijing

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Today was the first full day in Beijing, it is a really great city defiantly near the top of the list although I’ve still not seen enough to say which cities it is better than.
First off I had agreed to meet someone from the train and we would look around the Forbidden City together. I first went to Tiananmen Square, it is very large and is flanked on each side by 2 impressive buildings ‘The Great Hall of the People’ and ‘the National Museum’ in the north is the Forbidden City and in the south is Mao Mausoleum.

While waiting for my friend outside the Forbidden City, I was approached by 2 groups of Chinese who wanted to take their picture with me. Which was kind of strange but I guess it’s a Novelty to have a westerner in your photos.

Once I had met with my Train friend we went into the Forbidden city and spent most of the day there exploring, it is huge and the vast majority of it is very beautifully made. It mainly consists of separate court yard type area’s each with one large building usually with a Throne in middle, each of the first three main ones is larger and more impressive than the last. After these main building there are smaller ones which include places for the emperors wives other various buildings for many different things that an Emperor may want to do…there is also a very impressive garden at the back, each side of the forbidden city contains many more buildings. The total size of the City is approximately 750m x 2000m.

At 5pm we had agreed to meet up with other people from the train, we went to a Teppanyaki restaurant which someone’s friend had suggested it was Japanese rather than Chinese but it was very good, the food was excellent, cooked right in front of you by your own chef. It was 168Yuan (£17) for eat and drink as much as you like so I had a very good meal!

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Photos

Forbidden City
This is the Entrance to the Forbidden City it is at the Northern end of Tian'an Men Square

Mao
Me outside the Forbidden City

Forbidden City
Inside the Forbidden City

Forbidden City
One of the Halls inside The Forbidden City

Forbidden Gardens
This is inside a Garden within the Forbidden City

Gardens
More Gardens to the Northern end of The Forbidden City

Forbidden City
One of the Halls as we went back to the south at the end of the day.

Comments

[Julia]

Popularity
Sounds like you could probably get yourself a few modelling contracts there if you find yourself running out of Yuans. Glad they have good taste out there.

[Sarah]

Impressive
How fantastic and amazing and highly entertaining! Don't forget to come home! x

[Edith Jill]

Wow!
Fascinating stuff! Great photos especially the one of you outside the Forbidden City but sadly none of the Stranger/s on the train. Good to hear that you had a good meal! x

[Olly]

Meltdown
In the 2 weeks since your departure, the FTSE 100 index has fallen by over 13% - we miss you.

[Don Hiscock]

From our own correspondent?
You bring us a fascinating insight - I feel I've actually shared your experience of Bejing. Michael Palin had better watch out, you could be his successor!