Beijing: Gone But Not Forbidden
Beijing is an ancient city on it’s way to becoming a bustling modern capital. Visitors will see the new and modern China all around the city, in their hotels, at the restaurants where they dine, and in many exclusive shops. Fortunately, glimpses of old China can still be found.
One has to look no farther than the local music scene to find examples of old and new Beijing. The Peking Opera House is home to some of the world’s best concerts and operas in the world. Beautiful traditional costumes and music abound at the opera house. But just down the street is an avenue of bars and cafes where local musicians perform. In many of these bars visitors will hear grunge and punk music, a contradiction to the glamorous Peking Opera House.
One of China’s most visited tourist attractions can be found in Beijing and it also will give visitors a look at the city’s glorious past. Towering over Tian’an Men Square, the Forbidden Palace pays homage to the great city of Beijing and the emperors of China. The beautiful palace is built of red walls with glazed tile roofs. It’s many halls and pavilions are exquisitely decorated in keeping with the palace’s traditions of being home to many emperors through the centuries.
One hall visitors will not want to miss in the Forbidden Palace is the Hall of Clocks. Hundreds of clocks are displayed throughout the building, many given as gifts to China’s previous emperors. It is nice to know that even in the midst of Beijing’s quest to become modern city guests of the city will find such magnificent examples of China’s exotic past.
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