Measuring 440, 000 square meters, Tiananmen Square is the largest open-air square in the world. It can hold about one million people for public celebration or gatherings. In the square tourists can climb the Tiananmen Rostrum, watch the daily national flag raising ceremony eary in the morning (the time varies subject to the sunrise), visit the National Museum of China, and go to the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao in which one will see the body of the great Chinese leader.

The Tiananmen Rostrum, standing to the north of the Tiananmen Square, precisely in the south – north central axis of Beijing, was the main gate to the Forbidden City-Palace museum for emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties. It was initially called Cheng Tian Men or the Gate of Carrying the Heaven, which means to shoulder the edict of the Heaven, and obtain the divine power form the Heaven. In the eighth year of emperor Shunzhi’s administration, the gate was renovated and called Tiananmen. From then on nearly all the important imperial celebrations and events such as the enthronement of a new emperor, the wedding of the emperor, the rite of going to a battle by the emperor himself, the famous “Imperial Edict Issued by Golden Phoenix, worshipping the Heaven and the earth, and worshipping the five sorts of grains were held in this square.

The magnificent gate has five passages. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the passage in the middle leading to the Forbidden City was particularly reserved for the emperor himself. The emperor went through the central passage on the way to the altars for rituals and other religious activities, for instance. The high-ranking government officials and the empresses, concubines, princess and princesses could only enter the Forbidden City through the side passages, while the ordinary subjects were banned from entering the Forbidden City. That’s why the palace complex is called” Forbidden City”..

The 34.7 meters high Tiananmen Rostrum, with glittering yellow glazed tile on the roof and red wall and pillars, is more magnificent in the sunshine. Before the Rostrum are the Golden Water Bridge, the white Huabiao (a pair of ornamental columns made of white marble sculptured with dragon designs. They are also called “slander pillar” for in the ancient time it carried the ordinary people’s slanders and suggestions for the emperor) and a pair of big stone lions.

Beijing has abundant tourist resources, with more than 200 scenic spots open to visitors throughout the world; good examples are the Forbidden City – the largest royal palace in the world; the Temple of Heaven where the emperors paid their devotional admiration to the Heaven hundreds of years ago; the imperial garden – Beihai park; the important holiday resort of the royal family – Summer Palace; the most magnificent defense project on this globe – the Great Wall as well as the Mansion of Prince Gong – the largest Siheyuan (the compound with houses around courtyard). Beijing has 7, 309 listed historical sites of varying importance, among which, 42 are at the national level, 222 are at the municipal level. At present Beijing boasts 456 star rated hotels with a total of about 84, 000 guest rooms. The 456 travel services in Beijing have more than 5,000 professional tourist guides who speak 21 languages and serve visitors from every corner of the world. In 2000 Beijing had received 2.821 million tourists from abroad, with total tourism revenue of about 2.77 billion US dollars. Beijing is listed by the National Tourism Administration as one of the Superior Tourist Cities in China.

Beijing is a combination of tradition and modern prosperity. To the southeast of the huge city lies a vast plain and to the northwest of Beijing are the winding Taihang Mountain and Yanshan Mountain. Relics of imperial gardens, ancient temples & tombs of the royal family infuse profound cultural elements to Beijing. Sheer cliffs, twisting springs and brooks add an enchanting element to suburban Beijing. The crowded pedestrian streets in the city center and countless shopping malls that are scattered across the city bring the old city commercial prosperity and vigor. Beijing, as the capital city of a many feudal dynasties, boast grand imperial palaces, gardens, temple, altars, tombs, among other ancient architecture that still exhibit their ancient grandeur and glory.

The most typical ancient imperial architecture in Beijing is the Forbidden City, which was the home of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is the largest scale architectural cluster of its kind on this planet. Its typical Chinese architectural style and tradition are a bright pearl in the treasure house of Chinese cultural heritage. The Summer Palace, on the other hand, boasts an elegance that was imported form southern China and the grandeur that typically seen in architecture in northern China. The clear water and green hills of the Summer Palace bring an international reputation to this great garden.
The Temple of Heaven is the biggest ancient architectural cluster for sacrificial purposes in China. It was also nominated as a world cultural heritage site. Being the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties paid their worship to the Heaven, the temple is known for its unique layout and beautiful environment. The Ming 13 tombs are the largest imperial tombs zones where 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty are buried. Among the 13 tombs, Ding Ling, or Tomb of Ding is the largest.

The imposing Great Wall is the largest military defense project in the human history. It is famous for its long history, and the hardship of building such a great architecture in different topographies. Nominated by the UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Great wall is often quoted among the Eight Wonders in the globe.

There are a number of important religious sites in Beijing. Some well known temples are the Biyun Temple or, Temple of Green Cloud; a Buddhist center in China, the Baiyunguan, or the Taoist Temple of White Cloud, Yonghe Place, or Lama Temple for the Tibetan Lamaism and the Mosque of Niujie. Tiananmen Square in front of the Forbidden City is the largest city square in the world. One million people can gather and hold events.

The suburbs of Beijing contain other famous scenic spots known for their gorgeous natural attractions. Xiangshan Park or Fragrant Mountain Park in the northwest and the Zizhu Garden (Garden of Purple Bamboo) and well as the elegant Yuyuantan Garden in the east to name just a few.

Beijing’s entry in to the high-tech age is evidenced by its own booming Silicon Valley – Zhongguanchun. Nearby this scientific park, the internationally known universities Beijing University and the Tsinghua University produce graduates who are very capable of competing with the best in the world.

Beijing has distinct four seasons: the gentle and bright spring, the hot summer, the golden autumn and snow-white winter. Each of these seasons holds their own unique characteristics and beauty. The city’s, differing topography provides many opportunities for adventure sports such as rock climbing, white water rafting. A drive of 70 or 80 kilometers from the city center, will allow one to reach the suburb of Beijing and embrace nature. The eight district and two counties of Beijing are waiting for your arrival.

This place is unbelievable

i don’t remember…!

Mon premier v

We get to the Resort and are excited about the beach and the pools and the drinks!!

But first we have a quick nap to help with the traveling so far..

As part of the package we have 4 dinners in specialty restaurants, Mexcian, Seafood, Italian, and Mediterranean but unfortuatly the Mediterranean was closed when we were there so didn’t get to try it.

The first few days were filled with hanging out on the beach, swiming in the ocean and hanging out at the main pool.

During our time there we also did so other fun stuff.  At the resort we were allow 1 hr of sailing per day… but unfortuately, we didn’t try this until the second last day but I loved it!! note to self:  do all the stuff at the resort in the first couple days to get the whole package deal!!

arriving

Dominican Republic with Christy & Gehan

It’s been quite the experience here so far and that’s no doubt, but I must say that I’m not always sure of why I’m here, besides my general love of traveling.  I am very aware of many different issues that are problems in the world, specifically in the developing world, but I have come closer to seeing them than ever before.  Someone here told me that the Dominican Republic is the third most visited country for purposes of sex trade in the world.  I’ve already met plenty of expats who have married Dominicans, but there are also the men that just come down here to pay for using people’s bodies, because they can (sadly) and because it’s cheap.  The other day I was informed that one of the boys I play basketball with had just dealt with this first hand, he was abused by a tourist, he’s 13.  That kind of news just kills me, I don’t understand people like that.  However, the boy was out playing a few days later, being the tough kid he has to be.  A new law was passed in the US that says that it is a crime punishable by 2 years in jail for anyone traveling internationally for the purpose of sex trade.  So, I did find out that the guy who was cruel enough for this particular event was caught by the police and I hope that he is arrested and charged on arrival to the states and is not able to buy his way out.  So sorry for the bad start to a blog but it’s something that happens and people need to be aware of it so that this disgusting exploitative behavior can stop.

In other news, there have been a slow string of younger people staying here so I have been able to meet some new people and go on little adventures with them.  So, I’ve explored Puerto Plata a bit more with them.  Also, I went out to Sosua by my self to hang out on Sunday.  I like being able to feel safe enough to catch a gwa-gwa (aka crammed cheap transportation) and take off and be at least a little independent. I have had a lot of time here to my self to think about a lot of things and so I suppose I’m getting to know myself a bit more, which is good.  But I have to admit that I am very ready to take off for the next adventure where it will be a lot cooler… Guatemala I’m coming!!!  However, I still have a week and a half before taking off.  So, in the meantime I’ll get my reading done, hang out with some kids and continue to try avoid sun burns.