City Squares and Village Greens

Firstly, internet in China, whilst accessible, you are limited to which search engines and social media can be used.  China have their own version of all our western platforms eg. Facebook is called “we chat” etc. So even with our own VPN taking us back through Australia’s web, we were limited with data speed and unable to post the blog daily.

Our tour was with Tripadeal, and this is our tour group of 36, who came from all over Australia.

Our tour guide “Jingles” reminded us today that we could not possibly see all of China in 11 days, however we would be able to enjoy some of the “highlights” of the 3 regions we would be visiting. 

Our first region is Beijing and our first stop is Imperial Beijing (political head quarters) with a 4 hour visit to explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

We have always been drawn to many city Squares, town Market Places, and village Greens, to explore the central hub of daily life. These public spaces play a vital role in a regions history, culture and politics, and can showcase its architectural beauty in the form of churches, fountains, buildings, shops, markets and cafes, but visiting Tianammen Square which just happens to be the largest square in the world, today reminded us of the political hotspot it once was.   Jing says it is a part of Beijings history that is never mentioned nor acknowledged.

Today it was not like other city squares, it did not encourage the public to stay and relax, there were only tour groups and souvenier sales vans, it contains a few imperial monuments and sculptures, no seating, a military and security presence, was not welcoming, and left us feeling quite solomn as we remembered its past even if Beijing chooses to forget. It was really a very lifeless place, and the grey rainy weather added to the somberness.

Plenty of security police, armed. But, not as many as we were expecting.  Looking towards the Forbidden City.



Security cameras

Next door to the square is the Forbidden Palace. Once a Forbidden city to the everyday person, it has been open to the public since 1924. It was completed in 1420 and has served as the residence of 24 emperors with 980 buildings.. Its size was remarkable, being the world’s largest palace complex, 74hectares, room for 80,000 visitors daily, but lacked any signs of grandeur and  extravagence unlike many European palaces. It was a maze of walled courtyards.

Some of the highlights

The colours were outstanding and the architecture was amazing.

The last Emperor and Empress were in residence today.