Temple of Heaven

We checked out of our hotel this morning and then drove to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing before we would fly to the city of Xian. Photo: The Temple of Heaven.

Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

Beijing traffic jam. People who have visited China as little as 8 years ago are amazed when I tell them about these traffic jams. There were way more bicycles than cars at that time.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

The Ancient Observatory near our hotel. It was built in 1442 and is one of the oldest observatories in the world. There is a museum inside it.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

You can see some very old astronomical instruments on its roof. The armillary spheres (probably the round ones on the roof) were used to measure the coordinates of planets and stars.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

Part of the Beijing skyline.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

Some of the very many condo and apartment complexes throughout Beijing.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the street: both new and old transportation.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

You can buy your fireworks here to set off for Chinese New Year’s. However, people were setting them off way before New Year’s: big ones with loud enough booms (M–80s?) that you stopped in place to determine that it was only fireworks going off. Fireworks are supposed to scare off evil spirits. They also somewhat scared the tourists as well. The closer it got to New Year’s, the more booms.

On the Way to the Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

On the grounds to the Temple of Heaven, a souvenir shop selling a little bit of everything.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

For sale: Buddhas, dragons, dolls, and terra cotta warriors, etc.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Definitely laughing Buddhas; also some ferocious–looking dragons.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Panda and tiger hats.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Panda dolls.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Do not know what these are.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Mao magnets.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

DVDs, post cards, or playing cards.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

“Quotations from Mao” or better–known in the West as Mao’s “Little Red Book.” 120 yuan (about $18)––I’m sure you can find it much cheaper elsewhere. An English–language version is also available.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

These are containers for making coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and a strawberry drink. You add hot water to the contents of the cups. They are very tasty.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Onward: many flags and many red Chinese lanterns.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Many people were in this corridor––I don’t blame them; it was blocking the wind.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

People were playing checkers and cards. Some were kicking something to each other that looked like a badminton shuttlecock. Many vendors were trying to sell us kites to fly. Very busy place.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Entering the temple area.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Seen from the step side. There are three marble tiers going up to the temple. The temple was built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. At the temple, at the winter solstice, the emperor would make sacrifices and pray for a good harvest.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Closer–up view of the temple.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

The inside of the temple. It was disappointing that we were not allowed inside the temple, so this is the best photo I have of its interior. There are three rings of Dragon Well pillars. The four inner ring pillars represent the four seasons; the 12 pillars in the middle ring, the 12 months in the year; and the 12 pillars in the outer ring, the 12, 2–hour segments making up a day.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Close–up of the inside of the temple.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

A part of the ceiling which is made entirely of wood with no nails.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

A close–up.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven from the side.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

There are other buildings on the temple grounds. At least two of them were museums.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

A picture of the emperor worshipping heaven during the Qing Dynasty.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

A painting.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Another painting.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

And another.

Temple of Heaven

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

On our way to the airport to fly to Xian (pronounced She–an), we stopped for lunch at the Yangulou Chinese Restaurant.

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

The restaurant was elegant.

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Close–up of the ceiling.

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Display outside the restaurant.

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Our lunch.

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

As we ate either 10/13 or 6/7 to a table, there were always many dishes to choose from. I tried the green stuff––it really tasted good. I asked if anyone knew what it was––seaweed! I didn’t know that I would enjoy eating seaweed.

Yangulou Chinese Restauran

Xian

We flew late in the afternoon from Beijing airport to Xian via a large Air China plane (about a 2–hour flight). The airport was very crowded as many people were returning home for Chinese New Year’s. Xian is a city of almost 4 million people in central northwest China, but south of Beijing. Since we were moving south, we hoped that it wouldn’t be so cold. However, it snowed in Xian just before we landed. For inter–China flights, you are only allowed 44 pounds of checked luggage and it must be locked. You have to go through security, but you do not need to take off your shoes or take that one–quart plastic bag of liquids out of your carry–on luggage. Photo: Xian was beautifully lit up at night. This was taken from a moving bus, so it is not a great photo. I include it because it shows the colored lights along the roadway––quite spectacular.

Xian

Xian

Have lunch, fly, have dinner. We ate at this hot pot restaurant.

Xian

Xian

This Buddha greeted us.

Xian

Xian

Our hot pot items were chosen for us.

Xian

Xian

This time I was smart when asked if I wanted a mild, spicy, or very spicy soup––I chose the mild one. I made my dipping sauce spicy instead: soy sauce, garlic, and some chili sauce mixed together. We had raw eggs to cook in our hot pot. I let mine cook a long time and it came out hard boiled. It was the best hard–boiled egg I have every eaten, maybe because it was still very warm.

Xian

Xian

If you are here on your own, you can choose from these items for your hot pot. There were no English names to them so I don’t know what they are.

Xian

Xian

A close–up of some of the items. After dinner, we checked into our hotel––a beautiful five–star Sheraton. We were definitely being spoiled.

Xian