We started our day at Helen's Restaurant where we had a delicious American breakfast...eggs, bacon, toast. Mmmmmm.
Then we wandered this very gentrified hutong. Many of the ancient, historic buildings are being torn down and replaced with posh imitation hutongs. I felt more like I was on a movie set or China's version of Disneyland's New Orleans Square than downtown Beijing. There is a debate going on...preservation vs. renovation.
My all time favorite treat in China...sunflower seed cookies.
We then found this beautiful silk shop and decided to do a little shopping. I fell in love with an drop-dead gorgeous traditional red silk dress that fit like a glove. With a bit of encouragement from Sid, it soon became mine.
Me and my new red dress
The new gates toward Tian'anmen Square
Here it was 2:15 in the afternoon on April 25
and I was standing in...
...Tian'anmen Square. It was a lot to soak in.
Standing in front of Tian'anmen Gate, also known as Gate of Heavenly Peace. Thought provoking, knowing what has happened in Tian'anmen Square.
Tian'anmen Gate to the Forbidden City
A classic picture
Monument in front of Mao's Mausoleum in Tian'anmen Square
Monument to the People's Heroes
The Monument was built "in memory of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the revolutionary struggles of the Chinese people during the 19th and 20th centuries."
Sid holding Mao
Love this traditional touristy shot
The woman in the red jacket looks like a bandleader.
Mao's portrait on Tian'anmen Gate
The guards at the gate would not let anyone stop.
Pictures had to be taken on the fly.
Chinese army guards in formation just inside Tian'anmen Gate
Inside the Forbidden City
Just inside Tian'anmen Gate of the Forbidden City
Love the names...
Chinese Guardian Lions, known as Shishi Lions
Detail on doors
The dragon represents the Emperor and...
...the phoenix symbolizes the Empress.
Emperial knockers ; )
The placing of a sundail, RiGui, in front of the hall in the Forbidden City symbolizes that the Emperor had the highest power to grant time to all the people of the country. Such power!
Sid pointing at a pavillon that stands atop one of the peaks in Jingshan Park just north of the Forbidden City. We'll be heading there next.
Dragons everywhere
More detail
This little guy was so cute. Quite a contrast
next to the Imperial Guardian Lion.
Beautiful floral tiles
Upon leaving the Forbidden City to the north,
we entered the peaks of Jingshan Park.
Love so sweet...
Maybe sitting here will give me luck in love.
Bad hair day?
The peony garden in Jingshan park was just beginning to burst in all its spectacular glory.
I love life in China!
According to Feng Shui, it is favorable for a residence to be built south of a nearby hill. When the Capital was moved to Beijing, no such hill existed, so one was created! Jinshan Park consists of five man-made peaks built from the soil excavated when forming moats at the Imperial Palace. At the top of each peak lies a beautiful pavillon.
And the view of the Forbidden City is spectacular!
What sign?
Sid contemplating imperial life...
The center of Forbidden City looking south
The rains came pouring down as we sat at the top.
Peaks of pavillon
As we hiked over one the hills, we met this wonderful family. They were just as enamored with us as we were with them. : )
Sid deep in conversation with the patriarch of the family.
The whole family : )
Spring tulips in Jingshan Park
It was time for dinner and a friend had told us about the greatest pizza in all of Beijing. Lucky for us these signs guided our way...
This is one of the ancient buildings being torn down to make way for the gentrification of the old hutongs...so sad.
There's our little red sign...Hutong Pizza!
We found it, Sid! Let's go eat!
Ahhh, a salad. I haven't seen one of these in a loooooong time!
The best pizza I've ever had...in China.
A perfect way to end a perfect day: pizza, salad and sangria!
Just had to take a picture of this sink in the bathroom...beautiful!
The entrance to Hutong Pizza
An altar in a pizza joint. You just gotta love it!
We then rolled ourselves out of the restaurant for a stroll around Houhai Lake.
And, of course, a little more shopping was in order.
I must try one of these sticks of candy covered fruit one of these days.
Now that's a ball of cotton candy!
