Wistful of Jinshanling Great Wall Tour

The wall is situated on the Big and Small Jinshanling, hence its name. Based on huge stone bars, the Wall was then made by huge bricks, each of which weighed about 12 kilograms (26 pounds). It has five main passes and 67 watchtowers. Every 100 meters (328 feet), there is an enemy tower each of which is about ten meters

(33 feet) high. Featuring various structures and having various functions, those watchtowers are either one tiered or two-tiered. On the first floor there are some windows for shooting arrows. The roofs of the towers are many and varied, flat, arched, quadrangular or octagonal. Some are used to store weapons and hay. Others are used as soldiers' bedrooms. Among them, the most celebrated are the Big and Small Jinshan Watchtowers.
Jinshanling Great Wall, Beijing
Jinshanling Great Wall, BeijingThe big Jinshan Watchtower has two tiers which are connected by stone stairs. On the top of the tower is a small room used as the soldiers' retiring room. This small room has a unique structure. The rafters and eaves of the room are all made from polished bricks. The Small Jinshan Watchtower was constructed by soldiers from Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces led by Qi Jiguang, a famous general in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). To remind themselves of their hometowns, the tower was named Jinshan which was a pavilion's name in the Jiangxin Island in Zhanjiang.

The Tiananmen Square's Night Life

The Tiananmen Square lies at the cross-section between the central axis of Beijing. When it was first built in the 15th year of Yongle (1417), it was called Chengtian Gate. It was twice destroyed in the Ming Dynasty, once by lightening, once by war. In 1651, or the 8th year of Emperor Shunzhi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor named Fulin had it rebuilt on a large scale and changed its name to Tiananmen. Imposing and magnificent, it stands out among ancient city gates in China.

Tiananmen was the place for important ceremonies during the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, when imperial edicts were issued for coronation of emperors or the conferring of the title of empress. Tiananmen has witnessed many important events in China's modern history.
Tiananmen Square was formerly a courtyard in front of the main gate to the Forbidden City. At that time it measured about 110,000 square meters. Since the fall of the feudal system, and especially since the foundation of the People's Republic, it has been renovated and expanded many times. Now the square, at 880 meters long and 500 meters wide, measuring 440,000 square meters. To its east is the National Museum; to its west, the Great Hall of the People. In the middle of it stands the Monument to People's Heroes, to the south of which is Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall. The national flag ceremony held in the square every day stirs strong patriotic feelings in the bosom of everyone who loves New China. Now, in this new age of reform and opening, the age-old Tiananmen, as a witness of the past and present of China's civilization, with its unrivaled political significance, attracts tourists from all over the world.  

Wandering around Forbidden City

Forbidden City, the supreme power center in 5 centuries of China, becomes the invaluable historical witness of Chinese civilization in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The palaces of Forbidden City were arranged along with the axle wire. This axle wire is not only passes through the Forbidden City, but also the whole city. How grand it is! Around Forbidden City, you will find much more funny places.

 
Donghuamen Night Market

In east of Forbidden City, there is a gate named as Donghua Gate. It is usually used for workers. But at night, it becomes more flourishing just because of Donghuamen Night Market. Various snacks stalls connected as a scenery line, along with the cooking smell, you will find the natural, enthusiasm and simple old amorous feelings of ancient Beijing. No matter what season, you will have chance to taste the local authentic snacks in Donghuamen Night Market. Gathered almost 200 stalls, Donghuamen Night Market has famous and high-quality snacks across the country. Here will give you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Beijing Wangfujing Street

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is located at east of Tiananmen Square and it is 1,800 meters totally. Today, Wangfujing has been rebuilt to be a flourishing comprehensive business pedestrian street. Rebuilt Wangfujing shapes the structure of golden cross, focus on the crossroads of west exit of Jinyu Hutong, the east street is hotel street, the west is the leisure and snack street, the south street is he flourishing business pedestrian street and the north street is the entertainment and culture street. Wangfujing Street is the gathering place for many famous shops and shopping malls. You can buy anyone you want here without any troubles.

Dongjiaominxiang Hutong

The longest hutong – Dongjiaominxiang, is the embassy area in old Beijing. It is one of the hutongs in Dongcheng District, starts from east road of Tiananmen Square in west to Chongwenmennei Street in east, and total 3 kilometers long. It is the longest hutong of old Beijing. History leaves various western constructions in different styles, and they attract many travelers from home and abroad. The shortest hutong – Yichidajie, is only more than 10 meters, sits at southeast of east exit of Liulichang East Street. From east to west, it is worthy the name of the shortest hutong in Beijing. It has only 6 shops in 10 meters, and it is the epitome of Beijing hutong. Now, this hutong has been merged into Meimeixiejie.

Resource:http://www.beijinglandscapes.com/beijing-travel-blog/wandering-around-forbidden-city.html