Day 2 (first day was travel day): We were able to take an amazing and exhausting trip to China with our boys. We covered 3 cities in 8 days, taking the train to each city. It's a short flight from KL, unless you do it the hard way like we did with connecting flights which took us a day to arrive in Beijing- even with no time change!
Here we are in (Beijing) Tiananmen Square by the flag poles with our backs to the Gate of the Heavenly Peace (the Forbidden City). Tiananmen square is a busy public square where locals gather to fly kites and tourists come by the hordes (it's peak tourist season- on the heels of the summer Olympics in Beijing 2008- and thankfully, reduced pollution in preparation for it.) Locals also visit Mao's tomb- with long lines every morning and the Great Hall of the people is located here (government buildings). The Gate of Heavenly Peace is considered a national symbol- built in the 15th century (Ming dynasty)- Only the emporer could use this central door (gate) and is guarded by 2 stone lions (lions are common at entrances everywhere-- representing fertility and power). The Forbidden City (called this because it was off limits to commoners for 500 years) was facinating to explore.
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