PICTURES ABOVE!We were up very early today 6am for a departure time of 7am. We traveled about an hour from our hotel to China University of Political Science and Law. The purpose of our day was to meet with students and professors to discuss "Religions in China, past and present." We walked a bit around campus and went into the book store, it was rely funny to see all the books written in Chinese except the Chinese / English dictionaries and books on how the speak English.
The discussion was very interesting as the Chinese professors explained the "Mandate of Heaven," (which all of my students should know!)and the basic principals of Confucius, Daoism, and Buddhism. They also talked about how they would like Confucius to be the states official religion. We asked lots of questions that were answered by the Chinese professors in a round about way. That is what we are finding. If we ask a question that is uncomfortable for them to answer they will give you an answer that has been rehearsed or the answer will come at the end of a very long statement, but truly doesn't answer the question you have asked. It is amazing that after just a few days you know what questions will be answered to our liking and which will not. This of course leads to great discussions for all of us over lunch and dinner.
At the end of our seminar it is very clear that for the Chinese "family = country and that all (people) fall under heaven." Religion in China has always encompasses 5 rings - Heaven, Emperor, Parents (family), Teachers (scholars), Earth. ENOUGH OF THIS!
Then it was off to the restaurant, I believe the English translation was "Big House." Very good. Numerous courses of spicy food. We even saw a show. I talked about the acrobats in the previous blog.
After lunch we left for the Ming Tombs, as we traveled to the Tomb the topography of the land began to change. We left a relative flat area and began to see mountains. The area of the land where the Ming Tombs were built was chosen specifically for it's Feng shui- the mountains surround the land for added protection and there is a river that passes by... All good Feng shui! As we drive on either sides of the road are apple, pear, and cherry orchards. The most amazing thing is that all of the apples seem to covered with little paper bags to protect them as they grow. So it looks like a paper bag tree! There are tons of fruit stands as we travel to the tombs. The mountains surround the tombs are more steep and "pointy" looking the mountains of NH.
When we arrive we are told not to touch any of the vendors goods - if you touch you have to buy. Everywhere in China you enter via a gate as we enter the area of the Ming tombs there is a building with a huge bas-relief that tells of the history of China - got lots of pictures for class next year! The weather has improved and it is HOT and very HUMID!
As we walk to the tomb we notice carvings of Dragon heads and phoenix. (Phoenix is for the empress, and the Dragon is for the Emperor) To get into the underground tomb we have to decend 69 steps into the ground. These steps have been completely redone and it is an easy climb, the further we go the cooler it gets. The people who are working in the tombs (park rangers are all wearing winter coats!) We go through the 4/5 chambers. They are dimly lit and don't have the designs that we see in Egyptian tombs, it is very grey and dark. In the main tomb is the replica of the Emperors coffin, his 2 wives (his 1st did not give him a son, so he got another wife) and chests of all his jewelry and prescious items. The coffins were made of a Sandel wood, which is a very fragrant and hard wood. When asked why the coffns and boxes were replicas our guide said that during the Cultural Revolution rural farmers broke into the tombs and use the wood to build furnature to sell. What I am finding is that China is recreating their history that was distroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In the tomb you also see the 3 thrones (Emperor, Emperoress 1, & Emperoress 2).
We leave the tombs to head home. Traffic in Beijing is horrible too many cars, busses, trucks and bikes trying to share the road! Not really in the mood for dinner but we must go.
Six of us decide to go to the Hard Rock Beijing for some real "American Cuisine!" We got onion rings, french fries, and nachos! Everyone in the Hard Rock was Western, it was so funny! We meet a group of teachers from Arizona who were just finishing up 2 weeks in Beijing. It was loud and good... we hit the t - shirt shop after our snack. The Hard Rock was located about 15 minutes away in a more downtown area. Great high rises and bright lights. We figured out that we are located in a Military area of Beijing. They is a military school in our neighborhood and most families who live in our neighborhood are so how involved with the military. Therefore it is very safe! Our taxi driver takes us by the Candian Embassy and the German Embassy - I think we should go by the American embassy and get a picture with all of us outside, but I imagine with our state of "alert" that would not be allowed!
Another great day in China!
Hello From China! I am overlooking the region where the Ming Tombs are located! Miss you all
Ming Tombs below ground, picture left!
We got to the Drum tower by traveling by rickshaw, through the Hutongs. Hutong is a Mongolian word that means narrow streets. Basically the Hutongs are the historic district of Beijing... The government is currently trying to save the 700 or so that are left. That means no 2 story buildings are built in the Hutong area. Hutongs are houses with courtyards in the center with rooms surround it. Hutongs are being torn down and rebuilt with new modern material but will still retain their historic look.
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