1/5/12 Dylan and Erik: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square with the Forbidden City behind

Here we are on day four!  Today was our second full day here in Beijing and it has been amazing so far!  Today we all went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  We were all super excited to see all of the ancient architecture found in Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City which is where 20 emperors lived during China’s dynasties.  We arrived at Tiananmen Square fairly early this morning and it was definitely one of those awe-inspiring moments seeing the ancient Chinese buildings which we have all seen on TV and in magazines.  We got off the bus and once again we were greeted by several locals trying to sell us random stuff.  This happens every time we go outside but we are all getting used to it now.  The Forbidden City was beautiful.  Having Little Aaron and Jason (our tour guides) there to tell us about the rich history of the Forbidden City as we were walking through it made it even better; we got a better understanding and appreciation for city’s unique history.  Little Aaron told us that the Forbidden City has only been open to the public since the 1980’s and only one third of the city is actually open to the public.  The size of the city must just be absolutely massive because the one third that we toured was huge!  It was a very amazing experience that none of us will forget. 

The Forbidden City 

Lunch today was also a very unique experience.  Our group went to a Kung Fu master’s house in the Hutong area (very traditional area near the Forbidden City) for a home cooked meal.  We learned that he went to the same school and had the same Kung Fu teacher as Jet Lee, the famous Kung Fu master and actor.  We felt very welcomed into their home and felt very honored.  One of the sons that lived there gave us a Kung Fu demonstration after lunch and even taught us a few Kung Fu moves and stances.  Lunch was awesome to say the least.  

Lunch at the Kung Fu master’s house

To cap off our day we went to a Kung Fu theatrical show!  The show was full of performers doing countless flips, breaking wood over their heads, and also breaking solid chunks of metal over their heads.  Their performances showed us that the art of Kung Fu is very powerful and allows them to have deep concentration; “mind over matter” would be an appropriate way to describe it.  Today was an amazing second day here in Beijing!  We all are excited to see what Beijing has for us next!


Dylan and Erik

More photos:

Tiananmen Square

The entrance to the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

Trying the exercise equipment in the Hutong area of Beijing 

Dylan learns a Kung Fu move from the Master