Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Domestically feted so his achievements forever eclipse his darker and more ruinous ex-
periments, Mao is still revered across much of China. His portrait hangs over living rooms
throughout the land and graces drum towers in far-off Guǎngxī villages and beyond.
Mao's personality cult is recalled in the statues of the chairman that rise up across China
while mute Mao-era slogans still fight the class war from crumbling walls in villages
across the Middle Kingdom.
To this day the Chinese show deep respect when confronted with the physical presence
of Mao, and you'll see some reduced to tears here. You are reminded to remove your hat
and you can fork out ¥3 for a flower to lay at the foot of a statue of the Great Helmsman.
Further on, Mao's mummified corpse lies in a crystal cabinet, draped in an anachronistic
red flag emblazoned with hammer and sickle, as guards in white gloves impatiently wave
the hoi polloi on towards further rooms, where a riot of Mao kitsch - lighters, bracelets,
statues, key rings, bottle openers, you name it - ensues.
the road from Tiān'ānmén Sq. And don't forget your passport. You won't be let into the
hall without it.
JǏNGSHĀN PARK
|PARK
( Jǐngshān Gōngyuán; Jingshan Qianjie; adult ¥2, in summer ¥5; 6am-9.30pm; Tian'anmen West, then bus 5)
The dominating feature of Jǐngshān - one of the city's finest parks - is one of central
Běijīng's few hills; a mound that was created from the earth excavated to make the For-
bidden City moat. Called Coal Hill by Westerners during Legation days, Jǐngshān also
serves as a
fēngshuǐ
shield, protecting the palace from evil spirits - or dust storms - from
the north. Clamber to the top for a magnificent panorama of the capital and princely views
over the russet roofing of the Forbidden City. On the eastern side of the park a locust tree
stands in the place where the last of the Ming emperors, Chongzhen, hung himself as
rebels swarmed at the city walls. The rest of the park is one of the best places in Běijīng
for people-watching. Come early to see (or join in with) elderly folk going about their
morning routines of dancing, singing, performing taichi or playing keepie-uppies with
oversized shuttlecocks. In April and May the park bursts into bloom with fabulously col-
ourful peonies and tulips forming the focal point of a very popular flower fair. The park's
(exit only).
WORKERS CULTURAL PALACE
|PARK
