Today was really full on. By 7am, I had already gone through 5 different security checkpoints and was waiting in line with hundreds of other people with a yellow flower to visit the final resting place of Chairman Mao.
It was one of the weirdest things I've ever done. Despite his death in 1976, his body was embalmed and is on display even today. There was a VERY strict no camera policy though, so I really can't explain how odd it was.
The Maosoleum was in the heart of Tienanmen Square though, so it was a good place to start my adventures for the day.
After getting my bags out of the security check in, and going through another 3 security checks, I was finally inside The Forbidden City.
I wish I had spent longer inside there, because there were just so many amazing buildings and palaces, and even with the four hours I spent wondering around the place, I've checked the map, and I missed an entire section!
I did get to see some 8000 year old pottery though which was in pretty great condition, considering. I really loved the whole area.
In order to get some photos of myself when I'm travelling alone, I've been offering to take photos of other people, then getting them to do the same for me. This is really annoying, because I put in a lot of effort to make sure they look good, where they just don't care, so they have a fantastic photo, while I'm cropped out of half the photos they take!!
Also, I really love how every statue of an animal in Asia seems to have a dragon head though. No matter the animal, always dragon.
The other end of the Forbidden City is right up north, and there are a couple of parks there that I just couldn't say no to going into. They were only about 50c, and they did not disappoint!!
The first park was Jingshan and it was really beautiful. The view from the top was incredible, despite the haze from the smog. There were some women doing some dance classes too, which was just adorable.
It is also the dead centre of Beijing and has a giant gold Buddha in the main pavillion.
The second park, Beihai was also really nice, but to be honest, the white pagoda was prettier from a distance. The iceskating on the frozen lake was really cute though. Training them up for the 2022 Winter Olympics (seriously, they are being held in Beijing, and there were signs everywhere advertising it).
The road there was somewhat perilous though, as it was lined with people selling nuts of all kinds. One woman in particular tried to give me a free sample and seemed very insulted when i said no and quickly ran away!
Tomorrow. the 798 Art District xxxx