Day Two of Our Tour

We started the day with an "early" get up of 7AM. Everyone was actually up well be for 7 because of the jet lag. But that's the way it goes. John has been having wake-up call sent to the rooms and so far it has been effective. Everyone is enjoying themselves. Today was very full. I may be able to get some pictures put on the blog later as tonight I will have some time to get some edited and be able to send them to my daughter to post, with a little luck. The agenda today was The Emperor's Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, Forbidden City,and Tienanmen Square.

The Summer Palace was quite amazing. I think the grounds are 85 hectares (you will have to look it up, huge). There is a man-made lake that takes up about 75% of the area. There are many building, living quarters, servant's quarters, store houses, and other building that are amazing. The architecture is what you would expect in China but much more amazing when you see it close up. The ceilings and the eves and supports are all intricately painted with scenes from all over China and scenes of myths and legends of China. It is truly amazing. The is a corridor that is over 1/2 mile long. It is outside but intricately decorate beyond what you could imagine. An island was built in the lake with a bridge the has a support of 17 arches, I right now don't remember the significance of 17 but I'm sure there is one. The island, the bridge, and other pieces make the image of a turtle which is a symbol of longevity in China.

From the Summer Palace we went to the Beijing Zoo to see the pandas. They have four young ones and several mature pandas in the zoo. The youngsters are housed together but separate from the adults. The adults were being fed while we were they so they were awake but not moving around very much. I think all had a good time the short while we were at the zoo.

From the zoo we headed for the Forbidden City. The way this has been constructed is amazing. There are actually many rings to the city. The inner most ring is the Forbidden City itself and it is further divided into more and more restrictive areas at least during the times of the emperor. There is also the inner city, Imperial City, outer city, and other portions with specific designations that you could enter or live in based on your rank in society and your position serving the emperor. The grounds for the Forbidden City are huge. There are many residences and office building as well as store houses. There were originally four gates into the city and it surrounded by a ten meter tall wall and a mote. Pretty formidable defenses for the time period. Over time the Forbidden City has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Mostly the destruction has been from within through fire. The size of the area boggles the mind and what it must have been like when it was used is really beyond my imagination. This is one of those sites in the world that written descriptions, even pictures cannot begin to describe. You really have to experience it first hand.

We entered the city by the north gate and exited through the south gate right into Tienanmen Square. We all remember the student standing in front of a tank in the square some years ago. The square itself is really huge. It is bordered on one side by the Forbidden City, on another by the legislative hall, on the third by the National Museum and on the forth by Mao's memorial tomb. There is a monument in the center to all of the people responsible for modern China and also the national flag. The flag monument is guarded by soldiers that don't what you to take their pictures. I complied with their wishes.

I have been truly amazed with the attractions we have seen. They are really over whelming. I'm glad I told everyone I would to this blog because it will help each of us to better remember the trip and may encourage others to take the adventure as well.

More later, thanks for reading.