What they say about Beijing's pollution is true. The city's air pollution is unimaginable for anyone who hasn't visited. It is the only city in China I've visited that has worse air pollution than Xi'an. Even the rain did not clear up the skys during my visit (a rainstorm usually brings clear skys to Xi'an). Beijing is also very big. It is second in population to Shanghai, but has much more urban sprawl. Beijing is a car oriented city with wide boulevards and five circular expressways.
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| All highways in China originate in Beijing. This marker just south of Tiananmen Square is the 0.Km marker for all highways in China. |
TIANANMEN SQUARE
My first stop in Beijing was to the center of the city--the infamous Tiananmen Square. This is the epicenter of the People's Government of China and the site of the Forbidden City.
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| One of the many government buildings in Tiananmen Square. This one is on the back of the 100 Yuan. |
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| The main gate to the forbidden city |
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| Mao |
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| The walls are...big |
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| The forbidden palace |
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| One of the alleyways in the forbidden city |
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| The main street through Tiananmen Square. It really showcases the extent of Beijing's air quality issues |
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| China National Museum |
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| A sculpture with the 'Mao is the sun' motif |
798 ART DISTRICT
Beijing is home to the best art district in China (sorry Shanghai). Although 798 looks like a copy of the typical gritty industrial park turned artist colony you'd find in America or Europe, the art is uniquely Chinese modern.
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| Look familiar Cleveland? |
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| Chinese dinosaurs would be red |
WANGFUJING STREET
The busiest pedestrian street in Beijing. Its a great place to go if you are in the mood to shop or try some local street food. Some of the food is rather...exotic. I dont feel like I missed out by skipping some of these 'foods'.
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| Mmmm...starfish |
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| Lizard? |
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| That's probably poisonous too |
Interesting views for this one, and a little bit ideological:)
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