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It may be 'Forbidden' but the crowds of people streaming through the archway, beneath the infamous portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong certainly haven't been put off visiting this Forbidden City. The City takes the form of a series of quadrangles. The main palaces are located along the central north-south axis, with less significant buildings off to the east and west. Consisting of almost one thousand buildings over a vast area in the centre of the city, the City was the seat of the Ming Dynasty for almost 200 years. The key buildings are exquisitely decorated, with intricately painted ceilings and laden with ancient artefacts. Beautiful golden rooftops extend on into the distance. There is heavy pollution in Beijing today; the Sun appears as though it were the Moon and the long city boulevards appear to have no end.
Due south of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. I say 'public' though it is unfortunately not much of a place to relax. Clearly designed as a symbol of power, it is well guarded - with heavy security at all entry points and dozens of policemen and soldiers dotted around the square itself. I get a feeling of being watched, and am careful of what I photograph, given that I see a soldier confiscating one tourists camera. The Party may have hidden the events of 20 years ago, but they demonstrably haven't forgotten. The security outside the gate to the Forbidden City isn't so sharp though. For every guard there appears to be another man in non-uniform, standing incredibly still next to them - perhaps they're trainees?
A short walk from Tiananmen Square is Oriental Plaza, one of the dozens of large scale shopping malls springing up across the city - as Beijing's 12 million people develop a taste for Western-style consumerism. Many brands are in evidence here, of course, this being China, plenty of fakes too! An amusing example involves a genuine Nike shop and a genuine adidas shop sandwiching a Chinese version with an upside down 'swoosh' for a logo, and 'anything is possible' as a slogan (the adidas slogan is "Impossible is nothing."
It is a common sight to see citizens wearing surgical style masks, covering their faces from the pollution. It would seem the near-obsession with defence against the chemicals doesn't extend to germs however. Standing in a crowded area, it is near impossible to avoid the distinctive sounds of "hocchhh, sthuuew," as yet another person finds the urge to hawk a spit uncontrollable. I even hear one going by on a bike, with the Doppler Effect clearly demonstrated.
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