Mao Has A Huge One Ton Head

Yesterday I saw something in person I have taught about for the last 14 years.  It is crazy to think that I was actually standing there in person.  We toured Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and it was HUGE.

Tiananmen Square is the large city square in the center of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen gate (otherwise known as the Gate of Heavenly Peace) located to its North, separating it from the Forbidden City.

Getting to it was quite the adventure.  Seeing that it was Saturday, it seemed that many people in China and from around the world chose this day to go see it too.  Crowded doesn't even begin to describe what I saw there.

 Upon entering the area one of the first things I noticed was all of the cameras that appeared on many of the street lights.  It is a well monitored area to say the least.

 We had to stand in line to get through security.  We got to skip a portion of the line to have bags screened by security.  It was so hot and muggy that we sweat just standing there.

 It is pretty common to have people asking if they can have their picture taken with us.   These summer camp students also asked for my Instagram username. 

CROWD.  That is what we had on our hands.  Check it out:

Tiananmen Square is the fourth largest city square in the world and has great cultural significance in Chinese history.  It is best known outside of the west as the central point of the 1989 pro-democracy movement and Tiananmen Square protests that resulted in the Chinese government’s declaration of martial law and shooting of several hundred civilians by soldiers.

 In back of me is the Monument to the People's Heroes.  It is a national monument that was erected by the People's Republic of China for the martyrs of revolutionary struggle during the 19th and 20th centuries.   China has a history of foreign interference during this time period. namely the European opium menace (which addicted millions of Chinese), and the Japanese who committed numerous atrocities.   Nationalism and revolution were the responses to such interference.   So individuals associated with revolutionary activity are held in very high regard.

 The gardens are beautiful.   This square used to serve as the parking lot for horses for important individuals traveling to the Forbidden City to see the emperor.

Tiananmen means "state of heavenly peace."  The center is everything to Chinese power, religion, life, and architectural planning.  Seeing that the Forbidden City was the old center of Dynastic China, it became the new center of the Communist Party in the 1950s.  Many Chinese will tell you that Mao Zedong was responsible for freeing his people.  As a result he is still highly revered in China and his portrait hangs outside of the entry to the Forbidden City.

 This painting is massive.  October 1st marks the founding of the People's Republic of China.  Each year a new portrait is painted, and the old one replaced with it before October 1st.  The painting weighs approximately 1 ton.

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty (1406)  until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1911).   Huge thick doors meet people at every gate.  There are a few of them . . .

We entered from the South Gate and walked up through the center.   The city is built with an emphasis on bilateral symmetry which signifies balance.  The center is the most important aspect of Chinese life even today.  Always has been.  The emperor was seen as the link between heaven and earth.  The residence of the emperor therefore reflected that link.  It was called "Forbidden" for the fact that no one could enter or leave the city without the emperor's permission. 

There are 980 buildings that cover 180 acres with 8,704 rooms. 

 Inside we saw this full basketball court and barracks which houses members of the Chinese military who train and protect Beijing from here.

 Oreos are a global love and readily available at refreshment stands inside the Forbidden City. 

 It is mindblowing to know that the stones you are walking on are older than the history of the United States.

 All gates we passed through had 5 openings, with the center opening being the largest.  The largest was always for the emperor and he was the only one allowed to pass through with two exceptions.  The emperors new wife, on her wedding day, and her wedding day only, would pass through the gate on her way to marry and the highest scholars in China, being received for awards.  This says a lot about Chinese dedication and reverence for education.

Protective animal carvings and statues for the emperor can be found all over the city.  Just when you feel like someone is staring at you over your shoulder, ready to pounce - they are.

 These are the dynastic old school version of the rain gutter.

 Turtles symbolize longevity in Chinese culture.  They were put in the Forbidden City to ensure a long life for the emperor.

 Behind this gate is the emperor's throne.  I was bummed to see it was not open to the public on this day but beyond thankful that I had the chance to even be in here.

 This family was dressed like royalty.

 This is my buddy Clara.  She is a teacher from Boston who teaches the same courses I do.  Funny lady and great travel partner.  We have a lot of laughs.

 Oh Noooooooooo!  

 As our tour went on, we became a bit tired in the heat and had to take a break.  We have a number of stellar teachers from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Mass, and Kentucky among others.   They cover fields including the arts, humanities and social studies.

 Various sections of the city are in various states of disrepair.  Staring at the chipping paint I couldn't help but marvel at how much that paint has seen over hundreds of years.

 In China there is a reason for everything.  Buildings are part of that obviously.  Steps appeared at the bottom of these gates to slow people down as to remember and reinforce ideas concerning respect for the emperor within the city.  They kept water out of the quarters.  It was considered extremely rude to stand directly on the step as they symbolize obstacle.  You aren't supposed to dwell on obstacle or what is wrong within your life.  You are supposed to find a way over it, and continually move on.

 Some of those steps were removed however for the last emperor, Qing Emperor "Henry" Pu Yi, who wanted to learn how to ride a bike.  They were removed so he could so so unimpeded. 

 There is a huge rock garden towards the north end of the city.

 These appear on the doors as door knockers to alert company.

 By the end of the tour we were exhausted and absolutely blown away.  Now,  how to get students here . . .