Forbidden City

Off to explore on our own … venturing forth into the massive subway system … purported to be the largest in the world. At the bottom of the stairs, on a raised platform in the corner, two immaculately-dressed national guards, as rigid and unmoving as waxwork figures … eyeing every square centimeter before them. Oh, how my fingers itched to take a photo … but it’d probably be the last time anyone saw me.

At every entrance one has to place all bags, back packs, pouches, hats, water bottles through a scanner …. once I forgot one of our small water bottles, and that had to be carefully weighed to make sure it actually WAS water and not another clear substance. The subway is beautifully laid out, easily understandable, and one can travel literally anywhere in the city in probably an hour or under. The inner circle route has connections to other lines – all well marked, and every station is announced in both Chinese and British English, with a moving map to show exactly where you are. Every subway should be as thoughtfully planned.

First up, we visited some Hutongs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutong… traditional narrow alleyways and stone houses. The intricate rooflines are a delight to behold. Many didn’t have their own bathrooms and you can still see communal toilet blocks scattered throughout. One tiny shop had boxes of fruit neatly displayed outside … who could resist the glowing orange Mandarins – still with leaves attached. Six for 4 Yuan (79 cents) … zesty, sweet and juicy. Three-wheeled vehicles abounded in every colour, shape, and age … one could make an entire post with nothing but photos of these indispensable workhorses.

The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square were not too far distant …. easy access cutting through Jingshan Park along the way we thought. Wrong! Gates were all closed and patrolled by guards. The Forbidden City itself was a seething mass of humanity as visitors were swept along relentlessly. It’s hugely popular for girls and women (a few men) to rent traditional Hanfu costumes and visit important local sites. We saw hundreds and hundreds of stunning outfits … coiffed hair studded with hanging gold ornaments … embroidered silks of every hue. Many were only too pleased to have their photos taken. Glancing down, however, one discovered footwear ranging from Nike sneakers to thick-soled Moon boots peaking out from underneath the sumptuous clothes!

There were bicycle sellers with huge, flower-like displays of skewered fruit? candy? on their handlebars. Never did find out which. Very popular … even with young girls in their gorgeous outfits.

Jingshan Park was more our style … and because we’re seniors, entry was free. We saved a whole 40 cents or so. More police check points, passports and ids were checked, bags investigated, but what a beautiful park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingshan_Park Pagodas, gardens, shady nooks, ladies playing cards, weird and unusual rock formations, plus a training facility for young guardsmen. We never did get to Tiananmen Square, because once again the gates on that side of the park were closed off. Oh Well, we tried. As we sat on one of the benches resting our tired feet a young man came up and asked in halting English where we were from. He seemed delighted with the answer – Canada – and asked if he could have a photo with us. A selfie didn’t really work, so off he went to comandeer someone to take it for him. The lady in question also wanted a photo … perhaps she thought we might have been celebrities! <grin>

Heading back to the subway, the aroma of meat pies assailed us. Trays of round, golden delicacies looked awfully tempting … maybe just one to tie us over. Popped into a paper bag to be eaten as we walked along the street. My first bite unleashed a waterfall of pungent meaty juices … all down my brand new jacket. Nooooo! I mopped up as best I could, but fully expected a trail of cats and dogs following hungrily behind.