Thank god the pic is from far away.... I was one sweaty mess!
There is so much to see in Temple of Heaven Park other than the Temple itself. It really is something to experience (I seem to be repeating myself lately...). You see, the Chinese are very much into family and community... and just hanging out really. Many locals (generally elders) gather here to dance, play games and sing. It is like attending a free show. Before you get to the Temple itself, you walk down "the long corridor" where all of these people assemble to meet, gossip, play and sing.
Ladies dancing in the long corridor - it was 'jazzercize' Chinese style - wish you could hear the music.
A Chinese game that is very popular. I do not know the name or the rules. It seems to be played here only by men. No ladies were playing.....
This was a massive choir separated into males and females. The acoustics in that hallway were amazing and the resounding voices filled the air. It was beautiful to listen to.
Amy and I made our way through the corridor and into the temple complex. Completed in 1420, the Temple of Heaven is the most perfect example of Ming dynasty architecture. It was originally constructed for solemn rites performed by the son of heaven who would go there to pray for good harvests and other things. Everything in the temple has a spiritual, astrological, numerical significance. For example - the temple itself is round and the base is square - this is because round represents the heavens and square the earth - it is the meeting point of the two.
It really is a wonder to behold
Kids are kids anywhere in the world... it's awesome!
Elaborate door adornments
Workers transporting goods
Once again, Amy and I were oftentimes being stared at as much as we were staring. Many people brought over their little children so they could look at us. It was good fun.
I don't know who was cuter - him or her... they got a kick out of me showing them the photos my digital camera.
On a side note, I guess there are no handicapped washrooms at the Temple of Heaven Park.
Amy and I left dripping with sweat but with a song in our hearts (probably because the choir was still going!). It was a great day. I headed back to the hotel to shower (#3) then Amy came over and we had a meeting to prep ourselves for what was to come. Then we had a drink with a friend and I ended up going out for dinner with some friends and then we wandered down a street in a cool district that I can't remember and stopped in at some bars... A good time was had by all. Also of note is that you can buy a large bottle of Chinese beer (Tsing Tao) on the street for 3 yuan - or maybe 40 cents.... and the large bottle is bigger than a king can! How can you go wrong???
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