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The second part of our time in Beijing involved a visit to the Great Wall, an incredible example of human engineering, a series of connected fortifications with parallel protections that spans over 20,000kms in total. Specifically, we visited the Juyong Pass part of the wall, which is quite close to Beijing itself and served not just a defensive structure (if you controlled the pass you had an open door to Beijing) but also as a trading post. That evening we ventured into the old Beijing hutongs (winding laneways) where, as is our want, we spent most of the time in a local cat cafe with a dozen or so well-cared felines. The Scottish fold with different coloured eyes was quite enchanting.
The following day was a visit to the Forbidden City (forbidden to all but the imperial family and eunuchs). This was the former home of 24 Ming and Qing dynasty Emperors for over 500 years. The vast complex, roughly 1km by .75km and surrounded by a 50m moat, consists of almost 10,000 rooms and expresses its opulance through the vast courtyards in prime real estate. There are all sort of geomancy reasons for the layout and numerous temples that would require essay-length analysis to do it justice, but overall it's enough to say that this was the most important seat of power in traditional China and it shows.
After that it was a plane trip to Shanghai and a bus ride to Suzhou, a city I have visited before and remember fondly. Suzhou presents itself as "the Venice of China" which probably stretching it a bit, although I was delighted by a join Venetian-Suzhou conference paper on canal management last year. Last year I had the opportunity to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden; this year was the Lingering Garden, built with four distinct styles of foliage. Suzhou has over sixty classical gardens, which are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although busy, they are a good opportunity for quiet reflection.
The following day was a visit to the Forbidden City (forbidden to all but the imperial family and eunuchs). This was the former home of 24 Ming and Qing dynasty Emperors for over 500 years. The vast complex, roughly 1km by .75km and surrounded by a 50m moat, consists of almost 10,000 rooms and expresses its opulance through the vast courtyards in prime real estate. There are all sort of geomancy reasons for the layout and numerous temples that would require essay-length analysis to do it justice, but overall it's enough to say that this was the most important seat of power in traditional China and it shows.
After that it was a plane trip to Shanghai and a bus ride to Suzhou, a city I have visited before and remember fondly. Suzhou presents itself as "the Venice of China" which probably stretching it a bit, although I was delighted by a join Venetian-Suzhou conference paper on canal management last year. Last year I had the opportunity to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden; this year was the Lingering Garden, built with four distinct styles of foliage. Suzhou has over sixty classical gardens, which are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although busy, they are a good opportunity for quiet reflection.