Beijing Day 2: Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City

On Monday morning, we were wide awake at 4:00 am. Despite our best attempts to sleep in while on vacation, each and every morning in China, we would wake up long before the sun rose. Even on days when we went to sleep after midnight:)

Jane and Hong met us at 9 am to begin our day with a trip to Tian'anmen Square, which lies in the center of Beijing, just south of the Forbidden City. We entered through the Qianmen Gate, formerly the front gate (Zhengyangmen) to the Inner City of ancient Beijing. Although a relatively quiet day, we noted the heavy security both in police and military presence, and in screening and bag check points we were required to pass through in order to enter.

Qianmen Gate

Tian'anmen Square is surrounded by the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall to the south, the Great Hall of the People to the west, the National Museum of China to the east, and The Forbidden City to the north. In its center stands the Monument of the People's Heroes.

To enter the Forbidden City, we passed through Tien'anmen Gate, built during the Ming Dynasty, the location where common people could stand to listen as proclamations were issued to the whole nation. The iconic photo of Mao Zedong, first chairmen of the Chinese Communist Party, has hung above the central gate since his death in 1976.

Tien'anmen Gate - Gate of Heavenly Peace

The Forbidden City, once the home of 24 emperors - fourteen of the Ming Dynasty and ten of the Qing Dynasty - is surrounded by a city wall and a moat. It is full of symbolic detail that clearly reflects the majesty of Imperial power. With Jane's guidance, we noted that almost all the roofs were yellow glazed tiles, the color of the Emperor. Group of three (representing Heaven), six (representing Earth) and nine (representing the Emperor) were also found throughout. And the Dragon and Phoenix, symbols only used for the Emperor and Empress respectively, were seen again and again.

We spent a number of hours exploring Forbidden City's outer and inner courts, and the Palace Museum, filled with bronzeware, paintings, ceramics, timepieces, porcelain and jade and Palace artifacts.

And taking countless pictures, of course:)

Beijing Day 1: Travel Day

We're already back! Its hard to believe how quickly the week passed, and just how much we managed to pack into our once-in-a-lifetime trip to Beijing.

The photo above is of Mark and I toasting to our journey just after boarding UA 889 from SFO to PEK. We certainly enjoyed the Business Class experience - the seats were both comfy and roomy, the food and wine were enjoyable, and the service was lovely (although more so on our return trip home). Sadly, we still found it difficult to sleep much on the 12 and a half hour flight, even after only getting 2 hours of sleep the night before our departure (thanks to a delayed flight home from Los Angeles on Friday night, getting me in to begin packing just after midnight!). Traveling over the Pacific Ocean, it was strange to have the sun shine continuously as we transitioned from Saturday to Sunday.

We arrived in Beijing at around 3:30pm, and were met at the airport by our local tour guide, Jane, and driver, Hong. Although we knew we would be provided with transportation between the airport and hotel, what we didn't know is that these two would also be our personal guides throughout the trip! What a difference they made.

After settling into our hotel room, we adventured out into downtown Beijing to find some dinner. Quickly, we learned the value of our Mandarin phrasebook. After waiting nearly 20 minutes to be approached by the waitstaff, we soon realized that there were only two that knew a few select English phrases - the majority seems worried to even stop at our table for fear of having to communicate.

We managed to order our first dinner, which included Beijing's famous 北京烤鴨 (Roast Duck).

Carving the duck in front of our table.

Served with thin steamed pancakes, sliced cucumber and scallions, and sweet noodle sauce (similar to Hoisen sauce).

Learning the proper way to assemble our meal.

Attempting to follow suit.

Chinese beer, which along with hot tea, flows more freely than water.

Love Is...

...returning from a weekend away to wonderful aromas filling our home.

I was only at home for one day between my business trip last week and leaving for Chicago this past Saturday morning for an additional four days away. I tried to make up for it after my first trip with a little present for my hubby - the cookbook stand that he's been wanting for for some time now.

Mark appreciated the gesture, and to test it out, randomly opened one of our cookbooks to a Salmon and Dill Quiche recipe. He noticed how excited I was about the recipe, which is why it was baking in the oven I got back late on Tuesday night. That, along with a delicious Ham and Cheese Feullete.

What a yummy, yummy dinner. Thank you, honey!