China – Page 2 – The Rambling Wombat

February 26, 2017February 26, 2017 TheRamblingWombat Beijing

Tiananmen Square – Lowering the Flag

426 — Tiananmen Square – Flag Lowering Ceremony

I hadn’t planned on visiting the flag raising or lowering ceremony held daily in Tiananmen Square. I don’t like hanging around waiting for things to happen and as such don’t do it unless I think it’s going to be worth it.

We had spent a very long and tiring day sightseeing and, as chance would have it, were passing through Tiananmen Square en route to our hotel as sunset approached. As a bit of a crowd was gathering we decided to hang around for the daily flag lowering ceremony, not knowing how long we would have to wait. I didn’t realise until I was later writing this review that the actual flag raising and lowering time is published in advance. Continue reading “Tiananmen Square – Lowering the Flag” →

February 25, 2017February 26, 2017 TheRamblingWombat Beijing

Huabiao – Keeping an Eye on the Emperor

In your excitement about being in the world’s largest public square and making your way through Tiananmen (the gate) to enter the Forbidden City, you could be forgiven for missing these white marble columns, one on either side of the gate on the outside and two more on the other side of the gate once you do pass through. Continue reading “Huabiao – Keeping an Eye on the Emperor” →

February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 TheRamblingWombat Beijing

Tiananmen – Gate of Heavenly Peace

419

With its portrait of Mao Zedong, Tiananmen (Gate) is one of the most recognised sights in not only Beijing but also in China and it forms a key part of the country’s national emblem. Continue reading “Tiananmen – Gate of Heavenly Peace” →

February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 TheRamblingWombat Beijing

Tiananmen Square

Most people know that Tiananmen Square, named after Tiananmen (the gate), in the heart of Beijing, is large but it is not until you visit it that you can truly appreciate how large it is. At 850m by 550m the ‘rectangular square’ is the largest public square in the world by a long shot. Continue reading “Tiananmen Square” →

February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 TheRamblingWombat Beijing

Days Inn, Forbidden City

When I book accommodation, after basic cleanliness, my number one criteria is location which in most cases has to be traded off against cost. Whether the front desk staff are friendly and can speak English or otherwise is of secondary importance as I am very self sufficient when travelling. Indeed I am becoming fond of check-in and check-out machines which are becoming increasingly common in countries like Japan.

I digress, back to Days Inn Forbidden City. Continue reading “Days Inn, Forbidden City” →

February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 TheRamblingWombat Beijing

“Exploring the old and deducing the new makes a teacher”

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When a friend comes from afar, is that not delightful?
Confucius

We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the
sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an
entirely different view.
Mao Zedong

Continue reading ““Exploring the old and deducing the new makes a teacher”” →

When a friend comes from afar, is that not delightful? Confucius

We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view. Mao Zedong

When a friend comes from afar, is that not delightful?
Confucius

We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the
sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an
entirely different view.
Mao Zedong