Scale. It is the most impressive feature of Beijing. And it is nowhere on better display than Tian'an Men Square and The Forbidden City in central Beijing.
Tian'an Men Square was gussied up for the Olympic Games, with enormous and intricate topiarys lining the square. The boulevard between The Forbidden City and Tian'an Men Square was massive - perhaps 8 lanes of traffic - in the middle of the city.
The Forbidden City's mass of structures largely served to support this city within the city where 24 emperors ruled for more than 500 years.
As was the case with each of the historic sites we visited, we were blown away by how well these structures have been preserved. No one lives here anymore and no events are held here beyond visiting tourists, but it looks prepared to take on its historic role - up to and including the troops doing exercises in one of the courtyards.
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