Beijing rivals today’s greatest capitals, on par with Moscow, London and Berlin. For its role as the host of the spectacular 2008 Summer Olympics, the city has been tremendously transformed, reflecting both its past greatness and future potential as the center of an economical superpower and important player in international affairs. While Beijing may not (yet) have the futuristic glitter of Shanghai, commercial, cultural and intellectual life flourishes here on a breathtakingly large scale. Despite of the continuing political restrictions, Beijing is definitely a city on the up and coming, ready and willing to take its place on the world stage.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at the newly renovated and vastly expanded international airport, we cleared immigration, claimed our baggage and were greeted by our personal tour guide who would be our constant companion for the next five days.
For a good nights rest and recovery from the long non-stop flight from San Francisco, we checked in at the Regent hotel, a tranquil, luxurious retreat, located in Beijing’s historical centre and less than a mile from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
The next day, we started out early with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza on earth. It is the symbolic and political heart of China. It was here that on October 1st, 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic. Years later, the square was vastly expanded in size and paved with concrete to accommodate up to a million people.
In the middle of the plaza stands the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Renmin Yingxiong Jinianbei, an obelisk dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Revolution. Further to the south is the Mao Mausoleum, Mao Zhuxi Jiniantang, where every day thousands of Chinese people and tourists from around the world form long lines, awaiting their turn to pass by the Chairman’s embalmed body.
Tiananmen Square is flanked to the east and west by two massive edifices, the National Museum of China, Zhongguo Guojia Bowuguan, which also houses the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History – and the Great Hall of the People, Renmindahuitang.
Chinese visitors to Beijing make a visit to Tiananmen Square a top priority and so do most tourists. For Westerners, the name has become synonymous with the demonstrations for greater democracy and their subsequent suppression in 1989. The Chinese government still considers these events a non-topic and foreigners are advised not to bring it up while visiting.
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