Alright, not really in search of my roots but going to China is a little like going back to my roots right. Im Chinese after all.
First trip to Beijing. First time to the capital city of the People's Republic of China. Ive been to other parts of China before but never a large city like Beijing or Shanghai. Guangzhou was no where close.
Its nothing like I imagine.
Well, actually I have zero expectations nor did I had any impressions. You know how you have what NYC looks like in your mind because of all the telly programs but hardly watch anything about China so I have absolutely no idea how did Beijing looked like.
It is a cosmopolitan city. One sky scraper after the next, one highway leading to another highway and like all urban cities, TRAFFIC JAM. I attempted the train system, half expecting to die to poor infrastructure and smell but I was extremely surprise. Sure, the ventilation was much to be desired but it was really not bad. Cheap, fast and efficient. I could do with less shoving from the mainlanders but its still bearable.
Summer Palace was beautiful. The architecture was intricate and down to the finest of detail. I was most impressed with a theatre that was 3 stories high to help depict heaven, earth and hell better.
The vastness of Forbidden City took my breath away. A city within a city this palace must have been both a heaven and a prison for some. As I walk from one palace to another, one garden to the next, I wonder if all imperial rule is bound for failure as a society modernise. The Chinese imperialism was totally eradicated, Japan, Thailand and British royal family mainly serves as a figure head.
Whats wrong with the imperial system?
I left Beijing with this thought. Taxi drivers are the crux of forming a tourist's impression on a city. I was very comfortable with the taxis in Beijing, I wasnt afraid of crooks or getting rob by them and most of all I felt they were honest and didnt purposely go a loong way just to earn an extra buck. I met a couple who even chatted with me and gave me some good insights to China.
Can't wait for my next trip to this misunderstood country.
