Tiananmen Square

We made it through the underground street and through security to Tiananmen Square. Photo: Zhengyang Men at the south end of the square.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

The first building that we came upon was Mao’s Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Chairman Mao. His casket is raised in the mornings on certain days for viewing. We were just a bit too late to get in to view it. The statues in front of the mausoleum are of revolutionary figures.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

View from the side of the figures.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

View from the other side.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Past the mausoleum, you can see how big this square is––it is the largest square in the world, measuring almost 30,000 square feet (2625 x 1640 ft). There are no trees in the square or benches. It is a world–known square mainly because of the student pro–democracy protests in 1989. The building in the photo is the China National Museum.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Monument to the People’s Heroes with Great Hall of the People in the background, the seat of the Chinese legislature.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Closer–up of the Monument to the People’s Heroes.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Another view of the Great Hall of the People.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Looking backward.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Looking toward the Tiananmen Gate.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Closer–up view of the Tiananmen Gate. We were often approached by hawkers, mainly of postcards but also many various tourist items, both here and elsewhere in China, even though I was told that this was illegal activity. What you had to do was just walk away or past them, making no eye contact, saying “No thank you.”

Tiananmen Square

To the Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

We thought that we could catch a taxi on the major street separating the north end of Tiananmen Square and the Tiananment Gate, but no taxis would stop. Kathy told us later that taxis are not allowed to stop on these busy streets. So we walked to the Wangujing Pedestrian Shopping Street, a long walk. Photo: At the Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street.

To the Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

We were trying to find a restaurant to eat at. All we saw was McDonald’s and we didn’t want to eat both breakfast and lunch at one. I read later in the China Daily, China’s English language newspaper, that NFL cheerleaders were performing at this McDonald’s the day before the Superbowl.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

A new Polo Village store just opened. Mickey Mouse is greeting visitors. Kathy told us that the clothes made in China for export do not reach the shops in China. They are made and shipped out immediately in containers. The Chinese buy clothes made in China when they travel to the United States. Besides from upscale stores on Wangfujing Street, there are lower–priced clothing stores, where you can get true bargains.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Mickey Mouse.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

The Yunhong Chopsticks Shop where you can buy expensive chopsticks.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

KFC, the most popular restaurant in China.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Shopping Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

To find some lunch, we went into the Wangfujing Snack Street. Minnie Mouse greeted us.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

It was very crowded here, not only to eat but to buy gifts. The Chinese were buying gifts to bring home for Spring Festival. The Chinese Spring Festival resembles our Christmas season in which we buy gifts for our families and families get together. The Chinese also go home for the Spring Festival, as we do for our Christmas. What is different is that our Christmas season ends on New Year’s Day, but the Chinese Spring Festival begins on Chinese New Year’s Day. Also, similarly, the Chinese get at least a week off work at this time, sometimes up to three weeks, and school children as well, just as many of us do for Christmas.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Oh, these look so good to eat: seahorses. (I’m kidding!)

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Meat on a stick.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Leng and Saieu thought they looked good. They were––I had one.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Corn.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

This vendor saw my Western face and offered me what he was holding in his hand––it was alive! He got a kick out of my very negative reaction to it.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Close–up of the bug. Anyone recognize it?

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Some kind of fish.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Chinese meat balls.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Something rolled up.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Something fried.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Outside dining in 30 degree F weather. Seems no one took them up on the offer.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Leng and Saieu picked this restaurant.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

You pick out your food and they cook it for you.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

More food you can pick from.

Wangfujing Snack Street

Wangfujing Snack Street

Saieu chose for me as he is familar with the dishes served here. Noodles and some vegetables––it was very tasty but I didn’t eat too much of it because I had to eat it with chopsticks which I am not very good at using. We asked for a fork, but all they had was a large plastic spoon. You’ll notice there aren’t any napkins on the table––most restaurants don’t provide napkins. From here, we tried to catch a taxi to take us back to the hotel. We were tired. But the taxis on Wangfujing were being controlled by one man who set the rates that you would pay. No meters to be used. We decided to try to find a taxi elsewhere and started walking on the main street, looking for a hotel where it is easier to get a taxi. We finally found one willing to take us back––a number refused. There is also a Night Market on Wangfujing, opening up in the late afternoon. If you walk to the top of the street, there is a large Catholic Church. I took a long nap when we got back to the hotel and woke up too late to eat dinner.

Wangfujing Snack Street