We made our way on foot to “Tiantan”, a.k.a. The Temple of Heaven, which was rather near our hotel. It was a pleasant walk.
Upon entering the west gate of the vicinity, I was greeted with the sight of a host of people engaging in very interesting activities. There were people dancing to all sorts of music, including waltz/disco; there were people practising martial arts; and there people playing Tai-Chi ball. Not an easy feat as some tourists tried and could not return the ball at all.
The trees are known as “Trees of the Scholars”; and an American once claimed the world can never reproduce these trees. There were speakers hidden within the trees playing smoothing traditional Chinese music. The presence these trees together with traditional Chinese music in the background made the path towards Tiantan a very serene one.
3 main architectural wonders formed Tiantan; with Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest being the main attraction. I was actually quite disappointed that we are not allowed to go into the building. But then again, the sight outside the Hall is already quite incredible.
The other 2 elements of Tiantan are the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar (no picture). There is a stone right in the middle of the Altar where they said that anyone standing there will sound extraordinary. I didn’t bother as the queue to step on it to give it a try was already quite… extraordinary.After lunch, we went to the Pearl Market which was nothing overly spectacular. Thereafter, we headed to YiHeYuan a.k.a. The Summer Palace.
It’s located quite out of town, but still accessible via subway. It’s said the emperors would come here to get away from the summer heat. Thus, it is known as The Summer Palace.
There is a lake next to the palace. The climb up to the palace is an excruciating experience. I really wonder whether the emperors got people to carry them up. But it was good for me, strengthened my leg for the up coming marathon.
I don’t usually pose up a lot of pictures, even after my Italy trip. For this one, I shall let the pictures do the talking though I don’t really have a sophisticated camera.
Up next… the WangLiChangChen a.k.a. Great Wall…
1 year ago… Any difference?
2 years ago… If you think you’re ugly… Don’t ever let this happen to you… And she placed her hands on your inner thigh
23 comments:
I love the photo of the sun and its reflection on the waters. :)
yeah tian tan is great!!! and bigger than the forbidden city... wonder if you walked around the other area of the temple... anyway cant wait to see your pictures of wanlichangcheng =p
Beijing brought back memories.
though back then, i wasnt really listening to what the tour guide said. :)
but i rmbr most was the great wall, when all the other aunties and uncles were behind, and I reached the highest level accessible.
then only realized, NOBODY to take my photo for me! shucks.
It's not the camera, dude. It's the man behind the gadget! You did okay for a non-sophisticated camera. :D
Awesome pics, bro! Looking forward to your new post.
It was extremely interesting for me to read that article. Thanks for it. I like such topics and everything connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.
Nice!! Somehow flashes of those chinese period dramas that i like so much came up after looking at those pics... kakaka..
Oh I Love Summer Palace! I think that's the place I enjoyed being the most when I was in Beijing. So very beautiful and serene. Missed the Temple of Heaven though...
Justin in Beijing? Just kidding, mate! To be honest, not a lot, not at all a lot of pictures. You should have posted up more...
nice. must visit that place one of these days.
how to play tai-chi ball? like slow motion badminton, is it??
loved ur pics ;) cant help but imagining the places with its occupants from long time ago, kind of nostalgic-ish..
I been to Tiantan.. great memories, absolute calmness and speechless... I don't know much about the history, just love the surrounding. If I remember, there's hardly any trees?
Nice buildings and I recognised them from the chinese drama series! haha...
lovely pictures.. I want to travel too.. waaaaa :/
artistic and good angle.
the place is beautiful...^^
day-dreamer - i want a new camera :P
fufu - i am sure you have had fair shares of photos too right? :)
J2Kfm - hahahahaha... that is why i brought myself a tripod... save A LOT of trouble, trust me on that.
gina - should i try more sophisticated one then :P
MKL - cheers!
anon @ 23/11 5.24am - :)... more coming soon i am sure.
missironic - hahahha... go there and see, it's worth it.
iamthewitch - oh...how come... go there again! :)
jam - haha... not me to post up so much :P
j_yenn - the ball is heavy... you need to absord the momentum when it reaches your racquet, dont let it bounced or drop but let the momentum carry it and send back the ball to your partner... trust me, it's tough.
autumn - yeah... when i blog about the great wall, you will be wondering how the soldiers in the past run up and down!
Linda - the trees are in the garden leading to tiantan... hmmm... i think you went from another gate... guided tour eh?
eiling lim - hahaha... u ought to go see for yourself.
rashikaps - go go go! :)
j or ji - terima kasih :)
Kelvin - Hi there... indeed. one should visit it once in a lifetime at least.
I've been to all places above, and I like yiheyuan best! it's a great place, and I've almost skipped it on my china trip! I'm really glad I didn't!
loves
toothfairy - hello there! well, i heard the next best place to go in china is chengdu... must make a trip there soon.
Hey Zewt, could you please recommend your guide/tour agency you used? I have 2 free days in Beijing and would like to make the most of it. Thanks!
Sherry - hi there. we didnt go on any tour, we just booked the ticket and organised the accommodation ourselves. certainly, my bro-in-law who frequents beijing helped out with places to eat. if you have 2 days, i strongly suggest you try to cover the main stuff... forbidden city (1st full day) and great wall (second day - a day thing). i suggest http://www.chinaculturecenter.org for the great wall tour.
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