We walked down two blocks to the new subway line station and made a couple of line changes to get to Tian’anmen. Recommend not to go on a weekend. But it couldn’t be helped. We were herded about a block through to the security check. Luckily I had pictures of our passports and visas on my phone. So many people! All moving through the few front gates until you can buy tickets. Thank you cousin for the tickets!
Another security check and we are still surrounded by so many people. My husband wonders why I take so many pictures of the same thing he knows I took a picture of last time. I can’t help it, I love pictures of the tiles and doorways and rooftops! All the red paint on the buildings are actually lacquered on. Verses the red walls are painted. Lots of walking in the hot hot weather. So glad we went early in the morning. We brought us each a drink and some snacks, the water went fast. The dried fruits snacks were all salty and only 1 got a eaten by me.
The last restroom before you buy tickets you have to pay for toilet paper. And you pay with your phone app by scanning the toilet paper spindle. All the other bathrooms we used inside had the 1 economy toilet paper at the entrance you can grab as you pass by.
We went into the Hall of clocks. Which was pretty cool, clocks from the 1700’s from china up to the 20th century from England and France. Some pretty cool clocks. I can’t imagine how they must’ve sounded in use. Some had singing birds, a little person that would ding bells, a person that would write, keep track of constellations, seasons, moving clocks and moving parts. Most clocks were at least 1 foot up to 3 plus feet. Ethan told me, I didn’t think clocks would be so interesting. They had 2 movies going inside. If there weren’t so many people we may have stayed to walk. One showed the gears moving inside of a highly animated clock. I would have loved to see the clock moving on the outside. We enjoyed the clocks more than the Treasure gallery.
The Treasure gallery had some old jewelry, silver and gold ware. Way more people trying to cram in and see it so we didn’t spend that much time in there. One of the neatest things was a golden constellation globe using pearls as stars.
I did get to see a section new to me, either under construction before or we didn’t go that way. The rose garden! It smelled so good. The boys were resting in the shade and missed out in my opinion. By the time we got to my favorite spot the Imperial Garden at the very end, the boys had had enough walking. Too hot, whiny and grumpy. I just got a quick view nothing to savor as we walked to the end. I welcomed the mini van “uber” ride home. As all the kids slept back to the house to rest.
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