We were off after breakfast, for a late morning tour of Tien’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world.

The square has been the site of many momentous events such as the declaration of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the rallies launching the Cultural Revolution in 1966, the deaths of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in 1976 when millions of mourners packed the square, and 1989 when student protesters occupied the square for nearly two months while the world watched the events unfold on TV's in their living rooms.

In June, 1989 government troops and tanks brought the event to a violent conclusion. On each 5th year anniversary the government hosts huge military parades highlighting their military might and capabilities. The largest of these events occurred on October 1, 1999 when the 50th anniversary was celebrated.

Surrounding the square are the Great Hall of the People, Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of Chinese Revolution, Mao Zedong Mausoleum, and the Qianmen Gate. On the north end is the Gate of Heavenly Peace which is the entrance to the Forbidden City, or Palace Museum as it is sometime called. The Gate Tower has a large portrait of Chairman Mao displayed over the entrance. At the center of the square stands the Monument to the People's Heroes.

We continued on to the Forbidden City, China’s largest ancient architectural structure and where the 24 “Sons of Heaven” ruled from the Dragon Throne.

The Forbidden City, called Gu Gong, in Chinese, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall are 9,999 buildings.

The Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here. Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, it houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities.

During our lunch break we observed mid-day Beijing then off we went to explore the Summer Palace.

The Summer Palace is the largest imperial garden in the world. It is a veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture. The initial construction began in 1750, commissioned by Emperor Qinglong as a gift for his mother's birthday. The construction took 15 years to complete. It had the name "Qingyi Yuan" (Garden of Clear Ripples) at that time. The plundering of foreign troops in 1860 destroyed most of the buildings, but they were renovated in 1888 by Empress Dowager Cixi, who was said to have embezzled the funds of the Imperial Navy to build the garden. After China's liberation (1949), the garden became a park and got the name Yiheyuan (Summer Palace).

It is an outstanding example of imperial gardens. Artisans reproduced the garden architecture styles of various palaces in China and combined them to create a harmonious atmosphere. For example, the buildings in the palatial administration area and residential area near the East Palace Gate are courtyard dwellings linked to each other. The lake area in the south is divided by a dyke, imitating West Lake in Hangzhou.

Our tour ended at the arts and crafts shop located near the stone boat — a fitting monument considering she embezzled funds to build the project from the Imperial Navy. Leaving the Summer Palace we had the usual fun dodging the hawkers.

We left the group to get back to the Millennium Hotel for a dinner date with our friend David Paterson teaching English on a three month contract in Beijing. Great Peking Duck, David. Thanks.

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