Monday, June 14, 2010

Beijing Day 1: Reflections By Elvis

Tiananmen Square (Photo: Yuxuan)

When past meets present is how I would sum up my thoughts after exploring Beijing on the first day. The first sight that greeted us after alighting from the bus was the grand plaza, Tiananmen Square. The entire complex exhibits the modernity and new era that China is heading towards in today’s economy. To further illustrate this, a large panorama screen showing China’s achievements in the last few years stood right at the centre of the magnificent square. In addition, situated at the side of the square, the Mao Zedong Mausoleum serves as an excellent monument reminding her people of the ability that the government promises.

Just a few kilometres away from the square lies the ancient palace, which ruled China during the Ming Dynasty - The Forbidden City. The well-preserved national treasure shows the might the ancient government once wielded and the rich culture that China is often commended. The close proximity of both areas represents the necessity of historical monuments to stay ‘Chinese’ in today’s era.

Another illustration of the close proximity of the past and modern is the next destination that we visited, Hutong District. One of the most well-preserved cities of the past, this area now brings revenue to the country by attracting tourists throughout the day. Our short trip in Beijing reveals both the rich history and culture that China possesses and her genuine attempts to share this with the world.

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