A highlight of our trip to Beijing - a visit to Tiananmen Square. Now with significant plantings - which are all relatively new.
Tiananmen Square is the third largest city square in the world (440,000 m² - 880m by 500m or 109 acres - 960 by 550 yd). Used as a massive meeting place since its creation, its flatness is contrasted by the 38-meter (125 ft) high Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
And for those of you interested, here is that famous Tiananmen Square protest on a youtube clip.
Behind me is a vast digital video screen. While we were there it mainly carried images from the just finished 2012 Olympic Games.
The video clip (below) is a 360 degree panorama. Gives an idea...
Panoramic shot of Square...
Behind me is the gate tower exiting from the Northern end of Tiananmen Square and which marks the entry into the Forbidden City.
Closer - and so you can see the portrait of Chairman Mao. It was easy to buy a copy of Chairman Mao's Red Book - by the way - in Beijing. But not in Shanghai - and nor did I see again the hat with the red star. It was jokingly said, "in Beijing the talk is of history, ideology, culture and politics - while in Shanghai it is of money...."
In the background is the gate tower existing from the Southern end of Tiananmen Square. Students are moving from Square to Tiananmen Market Place....
This area has been very thoroughly restored, and about 50% of heritage buildings retained. I was advised that some of the oldest shops in China are to be found in this area - including the oldest scissor making workshop.
The shopping area was popular with Chinese tourists and visitors. Again - bronze statues and sculptures of past activities and characters prove very popular for photography...
The little side streets are packed with tasty treats and kids enjoying ice-blocks in the heat...
In many parts of cities I visited this style of bicycle shade was used - keeping sun and rain off the bikes and scooters.
This is a larger side street off the main Tiananmen Market street. A bronze of Chairman Mao looks on from the right.
This area was very large and I was drawn deeper and deeper into it. Quite enjoy the sensation of getting lost, and it's so interesting...
I took this to show the horrors of overhead lines. I suspect the looped lines must be for telecommunications - perhaps coaxial cable. Not a lot of disguise here.
This must've been lunchtime. All these guys walking off the job. I found a little restuarant. Chose something off the men (by its picture). Was running out of time to get back to the bus... The boy waiter waved his hand in front of his mouth. I figured he was telling me it was a hot dish. But I nodded it was OK. Took a while coming. Huge bowl. Hot broth coated in red things. Looked closely. Reckoned at least 20 whole red chillis had been sliced into the dish. Man oh man it was hot. Didn't know how to ask for tea or water - and was in a rush. Thankfully had a bowl of rice. Spooned a fair amount in and found my face and forehead was running with sweat. Pulled a few paper towels. Next found I was sneezing and coughing almost uncontrollably. Spoon and sticks down. Found someone to pay. Realised how lost I was. Found an iceblock vendor and had two. Found the bus and enjoyed the aircon - and a bottle of icewater.
A highlight of our trip to Beijing - a visit to Tiananmen Square. Now with significant plantings - which are all relatively new.
Tiananmen Square is the third largest city square in the world (440,000 m² - 880m by 500m or 109 acres - 960 by 550 yd). Used as a massive meeting place since its creation, its flatness is contrasted by the 38-meter (125 ft) high Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
And for those of you interested, here is that famous Tiananmen Square protest on a youtube clip.
Behind me is a vast digital video screen. While we were there it mainly carried images from the just finished 2012 Olympic Games.
The video clip (below) is a 360 degree panorama. Gives an idea...
Panoramic shot of Square...
Behind me is the gate tower exiting from the Northern end of Tiananmen Square and which marks the entry into the Forbidden City.
Closer - and so you can see the portrait of Chairman Mao. It was easy to buy a copy of Chairman Mao's Red Book - by the way - in Beijing. But not in Shanghai - and nor did I see again the hat with the red star. It was jokingly said, "in Beijing the talk is of history, ideology, culture and politics - while in Shanghai it is of money...."
In the background is the gate tower existing from the Southern end of Tiananmen Square. Students are moving from Square to Tiananmen Market Place....
This area has been very thoroughly restored, and about 50% of heritage buildings retained. I was advised that some of the oldest shops in China are to be found in this area - including the oldest scissor making workshop.
The shopping area was popular with Chinese tourists and visitors. Again - bronze statues and sculptures of past activities and characters prove very popular for photography...
The little side streets are packed with tasty treats and kids enjoying ice-blocks in the heat...
In many parts of cities I visited this style of bicycle shade was used - keeping sun and rain off the bikes and scooters.
This is a larger side street off the main Tiananmen Market street. A bronze of Chairman Mao looks on from the right.
This area was very large and I was drawn deeper and deeper into it. Quite enjoy the sensation of getting lost, and it's so interesting...
I took this to show the horrors of overhead lines. I suspect the looped lines must be for telecommunications - perhaps coaxial cable. Not a lot of disguise here.
This must've been lunchtime. All these guys walking off the job. I found a little restuarant. Chose something off the men (by its picture). Was running out of time to get back to the bus... The boy waiter waved his hand in front of his mouth. I figured he was telling me it was a hot dish. But I nodded it was OK. Took a while coming. Huge bowl. Hot broth coated in red things. Looked closely. Reckoned at least 20 whole red chillis had been sliced into the dish. Man oh man it was hot. Didn't know how to ask for tea or water - and was in a rush. Thankfully had a bowl of rice. Spooned a fair amount in and found my face and forehead was running with sweat. Pulled a few paper towels. Next found I was sneezing and coughing almost uncontrollably. Spoon and sticks down. Found someone to pay. Realised how lost I was. Found an iceblock vendor and had two. Found the bus and enjoyed the aircon - and a bottle of icewater.
Awarded Top 100 Planning Blog 24 July 2017. 88th out of 100 planning blogs spanning the planet. Very pleased. Click the medal to see them each described and to access an interesting resource.
I enjoy the challenges of planning, especially the who gains, who loses bit, No easy solutions here! Unlike my earlier life in physics - but it's all relative. Previous life for 12 years as elected councillor in Auckland local government. Re-qualified at University of Auckland as urban planner. Now senior policy analyst at NZ Planning Institute.
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