China Explorer Day 2

The day started with a walk around Tian'anmen Square and then we proceeded to the Forbidden City.

The Square was typically Communist - large, austere and dominated by grand structures. Amongst these are Mao's Mausoleum, the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.

Close by we paused for pictures in front of the Forbidden City, along with many Chinese who make up the bulk of the tourists. The entrance is dominated by a huge portrait of Chairman Mao and is guarded by numerous soldiers and Police.

The City is enormous and is a made up of a series of impressive gates and courtyards, leading to the largest hall, called the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Just as impressive were the Imperial Gardens with their pavilions and bronze statues.

We had lunch in a restaurant beside the Bird's nest stadium. The flame was just visible threw the haze that is ever present in Beijing.

In the afternoon we made our way to the Summer Palace. The sprawling grounds are filled with numerous highlights. These include the Long Corridor, The Marble boat, Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and the Seventeen Arch Bridge. Having spent a lovely few hours wandering around and enjoying a short boat ride on the lake, we made for one of our 'obligatory' factory shop visits. All tourist guides have to take their groups to local shops and showrooms and this was one of about five that we visited on our trip. This isn't as onerous as it sounds as there is little pressure to buy and many are quite interesting.