Get
an introduction to the Imperial
Palace in this video. Best viewed in Internet Explorer.
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Beijing is one of the most popular tourist destinations
in China. It is the capital, both cultural and political.
Not only is it a popular tourist destination, but it is
a popular work destination as well, for both Chinese and
foreigners. Millions of Chinese each year come to look for
work as laborers, servicepeople, technicians and other jobs
so that they can support loved ones back in the countryside
or smaller cities. While we have the freedom to move around
in our own countries, in China, to move to another city
without registering is illegal. Thus, there is a "floating
population" of people that are in Beijing but are supposed
to be somewhere else. Though illegal, it is almost impossible
to enforce because of sheer numbers alone, but also because
the labor is needed for the upwardly mobile as more and
more Chinese people become wealthy.
Foreigners
from all over the world flock to Beijing simply to live
in the capital. Many foreigners living in Beijing become
teachers, managers, entrepreneurs or representatives. The
better-prepared foreigners get a job at home and then come
over, they are usually leaders in their field or company,
and get excellent benefits, housing and other perks.
While
I was living in Beijing, I would constantly drive past the
great attractions of the world. Here they are, the top attractions
of Beijing.
The
Great Wall
China's long history includes nasty invasions from the north.
So, as a defensive posture, the Chinese built the Great
Wall in the seventh century BC on the southern edge of the
Mongolian plain in northern China. It is 6700 kilometers
long or over 4100 miles long. It includes sparse turrets,
from which Chinese soldiers would watch for invading nomads.
It is not one wall, but a series of walls, unified in the
3rd century BC by the brutal Qin Dynasty. It took 2,000
years to build, and was responsible for the deaths of many
kidnapped Chinese (from all over China) forced to work on
the wall. After working to death from exhaustion, illness
or excessive cruelty, Chinese workers were thrown into the
wall and other workers built the wall around them. According
to legend, a woman whose love was kidnapped to go work on
the wall, went looking for him. No one knew, or would tell
her where he was. Frustrated, she sat on one section of
the wall and wept. Her tears fell on the wall and it suddenly
opened up, revealing the body of her love. The mournfulness
of this legend tells of the human toll that leaders imposed
on its subjects for building a wall that was wholly unsuccessful
from keeping invaders out.
Tiananmen
Square
Tiananmen Square, the largest square on earth, is in the
middle of Beijing like a bull's eye. It is named after Tiananmen
Gate, or the Heavenly Peace Gate. Tiananmen Square offers
attractions like the Great Hall of the People, Monument
to Heroes, a viewing of the original Mao, who was preserved
by the best morticians in Russia.
Millions
and millions of people visit the square each year. Organized
public gatherings for political reasons, like the one in
1989, are strictly forbidden in this very public and famous
square. Dozens of police, soldiers and cameras keep an eye
on things, but are non-intrusive. Nowadays, people gather
in the square to fly kites, sell goods, watch the soldiers
raise and lower the flag at the beginning and end of the
day, watch Tiananmen Gate light up, rollerblade, practice
Tai Chi or just stroll. Others gather to sing songs, play
musical instruments, or just hang out. It is a neat thing
to watch!
