Discover China

Tian’anmen Square and the Imperial Palace (also known as the Forbidden City) were the first of Beijing’s numerous significant attractions that I visited after arriving in China’s capital on 27 December.

Tian’anmen Square takes its name from the Tian’anmen gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) to the Imperial Palace at the north of the square. Under clear blue skies I joined the many people who were in the square visiting the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and then commenced an exploration of the Imperial Palace. I had seen photographs of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City), but pictures can’t convey the extraordinary scale and grandeur of this vast complex.

We have since visited Beijing’s ancient Drum and Bell Towers and Prince Gong Mansion, toured historic Hutongs, and of course enjoyed Beijing’s outstanding food.

At last another trip to China is very near. Over three weeks from the end of December we will visit China’s capital Beijing as well as Tianjin, located south of Beijing, Zhengzhou in central China, and possibly some other places too. Beijing has an abundance of historical and cultural attractions which we will explore over several days. As it is winter, impressive sites such as the Forbidden City and Summer Palace are likely to be framed in snow. From Beijing we’ll then take a 30-minute journey on one of China’s new high speed rail trains to the city of Tianjin, and then after that travel to Zhengzhou. I can hardly wait!

Northern China has been experiencing unusually heavy snowfalls for November. See the grandeur of the Forbidden City in snow.