So much to see, so little time.
August 1st, 2008
Hello to everyone once more. It’s another late night here in
Beijing, but so much was done today that we absolutely had to post. Our
day started very early again and the first stop on our city tour took
us to the Temple of Heaven. Once a sacred worshipping place of the
emperors of China, this city park is now home to crowds of elderly
Chinese citizens who visit it early each morning. On any given day you
can find hundreds and even thousands of elderly Chinese playing hacky
sack, singing in large groups, flying kites, doing intricate ribbon
dances, playing cards, and a multitude of other activities.
Our next stop was Tian’an Men Square. It is the world’s largest public square, roughly the size of 90 American football fields. It contains such items as the Monument to the People’s Heroes and many new decorations and monuments dedicated to the 2008 Olympics.
Our next stop was directly across the street…the Forbidden City. Once the royal grounds of the emporer it is now open to the public. Building after building of intricate artwork, massive pillars, and amazing architecture greeted our eyes and we walked through an area that could have actually held a small city.
After that we headed for lunch and a short but very needed break after many miles of walking. We then proceeded to visit the Summer Palace of the ancient emporers. This palace and its grounds are made up of beautiful gardens in a much cooler area and the grounds also hold a massive lake. Once again these well preserved living and working areas of the former royals astounded the eye and captured the breath.
After a ride on a dragon boat across the lake, we got into our van and headed back to the hotel. We went shopping for a little while and now I’m back at the hotel writing this post. Tomorrow we head for Xi’an to the see the Terra-Cotta Warriors and then the day after that we get our little girl! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers and we will post again soon.
Love,
Kim, Daniel, Nathan, and Micah
Our next stop was Tian’an Men Square. It is the world’s largest public square, roughly the size of 90 American football fields. It contains such items as the Monument to the People’s Heroes and many new decorations and monuments dedicated to the 2008 Olympics.
Our next stop was directly across the street…the Forbidden City. Once the royal grounds of the emporer it is now open to the public. Building after building of intricate artwork, massive pillars, and amazing architecture greeted our eyes and we walked through an area that could have actually held a small city.
After that we headed for lunch and a short but very needed break after many miles of walking. We then proceeded to visit the Summer Palace of the ancient emporers. This palace and its grounds are made up of beautiful gardens in a much cooler area and the grounds also hold a massive lake. Once again these well preserved living and working areas of the former royals astounded the eye and captured the breath.
After a ride on a dragon boat across the lake, we got into our van and headed back to the hotel. We went shopping for a little while and now I’m back at the hotel writing this post. Tomorrow we head for Xi’an to the see the Terra-Cotta Warriors and then the day after that we get our little girl! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers and we will post again soon.
Love,
Kim, Daniel, Nathan, and Micah
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