Saturday, April 13, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Tianjin (Beijing), China

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Beijing, China.

TIANJIN (BEIJING), CHINA
AN OLYMPIC CITY WITH MULTIPLE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES TO EXPLORE

Set on the north-east coast of the Bohai Sea, Tianjin’s port opens up the city and serves as a gateway to Beijing –
which lies approximately a three-hour drive inland. Tianjin is a vast and impressive city in its own right, with oodles of
character and charm – especially since it received a comprehensive facelift for China’s Olympic Games in 2008.
There is deep international history here, as the area was conceded to foreign powers during the Opium Wars. As a
result, it’s peppered with historical buildings, temples, and palaces, and you’ll encounter a dizzying swirl of cultures.
There is a distinctive European flavor in places – notably the architecture of the Five Avenues, which features a blend
of historical buildings from Europe’s past empires.

The skyscrapers of modern China’s booming economy have also sprung up, along with ambitious structures like the
flowing curves of the library. Unique creations like the Tianjin Eye span the river – a fusion between a Ferris wheel and
a bridge that glows brightly over the river’s water at night. The Ancient Culture Street is a traditional Qing Dynasty-style
stretch of bustling, living history.

For most, however, the allure of one of China and the world’s mega-cities, Beijing, will be too strong a draw. Visit
immense cultural treasures like the extraordinary Forbidden City, an incredible central labyrinth of 800 palaces. The
vast and iconic Tiananmen Square stretches out close by – watched over by a ginormous Chairman Mao portrait –
where you can see the Chinese flag ceremonially hoisted high into the sky each day, and a venue where dramatic and
iconic events of Chinese history have played out.

You’re also within reach of one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks – the undulating expanse of the Great Wall
of China, which snakes across the area’s mountains.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA
It is one of the most remarkable sights and the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring structure of ancient defensive architecture. According to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Great Wall of China is 13,170.7 miles long, half the length of the equator!
Chinese leaders instituted wall-building projects for millennia to protect the land from northern, nomadic invaders. Around 220 B.C.E., Qin Shi Huang, also called the First Emperor, united China. He masterminded the process of uniting the existing walls into one.

SIGHTS

• Summer Palace
• Temple of Heaven
• Tiananmen Square
• Beihai Park
• Lama Temple
• Ming Dynasty Tombs
• The Palace Museum

Today’s Excursion – The Great Wall of China

Our visit to the Great Wall of China was fascinating. Built along the rolling ridges of steep mountains, it offers spectacular, even awe-inspiring views and is undoubtedly one of humankind’s most significant architectural achievements.
The Great Wall
Departing from the port of Tianjin, we begin our excursion with a scenic journey through the countryside to one of mankind’s
most impressive creations, the Great Wall. During the trip to the Great Wall’s Juyongguan Section, our guide’s commentary about the country and its people makes for an exciting drive. After having a Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant near the Wall, the afternoon exploration of the Juyongguan Section of the Great Wall begins.

As you approach this part of the Great Wall, nothing prepares you for the sight. Built centuries ago, the wall stretches
over 3,000 miles and ranks amongst the world’s top wonders. The Juyongguan Section of the Great Wall also enjoys the reputation of being ‘The Number One Strategic Pass Under Heaven.’

Check out Today’s Chronicle.