Our trip to Beijing first began with an early wake up call for breakfast and a 5 hour train ride on the bullet train.
Arriving at the Beijing West Railway Station was a blur. So many people!! With 30 million people in Beijing, trying to move all of our luggage through the train station to meet our tour guide was an ADVENTURE. It was also a chance to WORK OUT!!!
We did get to meet Tony, our tour guide, and he directed us to the van that we would be using for the duration of our time here in Beijing.
Our first stop was the Forbidden City. And all I could think of was the movie The Last Emperor. Seeing where Emperor Pu Yi, as a little boy, walked through the city with all of his disciples and ministers were the images running through my head.
We did get to meet Tony, our tour guide, and he directed us to the van that we would be using for the duration of our time here in Beijing.
Our first stop was the Forbidden City. And all I could think of was the movie The Last Emperor. Seeing where Emperor Pu Yi, as a little boy, walked through the city with all of his disciples and ministers were the images running through my head.
The walkway specifically for the Emperor was called the Meridian Line. The Emperor was the center of the universe, so he felt that all lines and direction centered on him.
The City is symmetrical, what you see on one side, is the same on the other. Characters at the eaves of the roof helped to scare away evil spirits. The Meridian line was only for the Emperor. But there were exceptions to this rule. Those ministers who scored in the top three for their exam to work for the Emperor, were allowed to walk on this line.
The Forbidden City is amazing to say the least. So many buildings and just an amazing site to see.
Tony, our tour guide, explained to us that if we go up this specific trail to a temple, you could get a spectacular view of the city. Below is that picture.
Overall, a great day. A little exhausted, but we got some sleep and made it to tomorrow.
The City is symmetrical, what you see on one side, is the same on the other. Characters at the eaves of the roof helped to scare away evil spirits. The Meridian line was only for the Emperor. But there were exceptions to this rule. Those ministers who scored in the top three for their exam to work for the Emperor, were allowed to walk on this line.
The Forbidden City is amazing to say the least. So many buildings and just an amazing site to see.
Tony, our tour guide, explained to us that if we go up this specific trail to a temple, you could get a spectacular view of the city. Below is that picture.
Overall, a great day. A little exhausted, but we got some sleep and made it to tomorrow.