Mausoleum, Forbidden City, Flight‏

On our last day we had a little time in the morning before our flight that afternoon. Throughout our many trip through Tienanmen Square we pass the Mao Mausoleum numerous times. However, we were never able to go in because it is only open a couple of hours a day and the line becomes extremely long. We decided to get up early and see what it was about. As we were unable to take anything in with us (water bottle, bags, camera) dad and I each went in by turn. Mao Zedong was the founding leader of the People's Republic of China. Following his death, Mao's corpse was preserved for posterity and that is what is now shown to the public. As a sign of respect there is no speaking as they herd you in through the entrance, past the body, and out of the exit. "Chairman Mao goes to work everyday traveling from the nether world by elevator to be on display for tourist and faithful alike. At night his body retires after the last visitors have left to lie in an earthquake-proof chamber deep in the bowels of Tiananmen Square."

Next, we traveled into the Forbidden City. As this was the main residence and imperial palace for 24 emperors, do not ask us why we waited until the last day before our flight to hurry through it. We basically only had time to run from front to back snapping pictures. It was forbidden to enter without special permission from the Emperor. It is now known as the Palace Museum and is the largest palace complex.

It is surrounded by a 52-meter moat and a 10-meter-high wall. It is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. "It was said that a million workers including one hundred thousand artisans were driven into the  long-term hard labor. Stone needed was quarried from Fangshan District. It was said a well was dug every fifty meters along the road in order to pour water onto the road in winter to slide huge stones on ice into the city. Huge amounts of timber and other materials were freighted from faraway provinces."

Upon leaving the palace a very obnoxious man on a moped rickshaw followed us a block trying to get us to go for a ride with him. After a long debate my dad and I decided to take him up on his offer. Although we said back and forth that it was only going to 3yen, he refused the money before we got in. As we were in a hurry to get back so that we could catch our flight he was supposed to drop us off near the square so we could walk back to our hotel. That is NOT what happened however. When he finally did stop it was in some isolated ally and he demanded 300yen. After a slight altercation, that I wasn't sure if it would turn into blows or not, we managed to talk him down to 150yen and got the 'hell out of dodge.' As it turns out we were just as far away as when we got into the rickshaw. But we were safe and made it to the airport on time. And ate at one more western resteraunt before flying out of China.

 Here is another newbie for me. We checked in and arrived at the gate. At which point they hearded us into a van. After a 1/2 wait there, they drove us onto the tarmack. I have never boarded a plane outside of the airport before so that was really neat. Got back to Seoul quickly and easily. Back to speedy internet and easy transportation!!! An easy relaxing bus ride from the airport and we arrived at our hostel.