AROUND IN CHINA

CHAPTER 1 - Beijing, 北京 1992

The Great Wall of China & Ningbo (To come later on...)

Directly after arriving to China I was brought to McDonald's.

I had no idea what all the excitement really was about. Their restaurants had been in Sweden since 1973, and even if they still gave a feeling of american lifestyle, it was not particularily exciting. Definitely not the first thing I had in mind to experience in China. Still, there I was, forcing a smile. Without a clue.

 But this story begins the same year as the grand opening of McDonald's in Beijing, which happened on the 23rd of April 1992, the year of the Water Monkey. The very first McDonald's restaurant in China was also their largest in the world, to become another landmark in Beijing and symbolizing the start of a new era.

Jianguomen Inner Street, 建国门内大街 Beijing 1992.

Took some help to figure out where it was taken. On the same road you find the Beijing International Hotel. From their homepage, it seems they pretty much have preserved the atmosphere from that era. The buildings, from right to left, from big to small, are the following: 建内大街邮政支局，海关总署，长富宫饭店，北京广播电视台(TV station).

Thank's Shitong for the help.

Jianguomen Inner Street, September 2004. Image Wikipedia.

Besides an impressive number of new large buildings, isn't it a bit strange that, after 12 years, the white bus is now going in the other direction? Thank'´s Magnus for identifying the road.

The temple of heaven, 天坛, Beijing.

At that time it was a peaceful place with very few visitors and you could walk around freely all over. Not as often today at historical places, with restrictions and barriers to keep too curious tourists in order. 

Two brothers in arms to the left (upper), two local siblings to the right (lower), all posing at Tiananmen square, 天安门 Beijing.

Suddenly realize that the two small kids are in their thirties by now.

Solemnly posing in front of red flags and Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall.

Cheering in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes.

Maybe less solemnly, but if I may say, the jump looks really vigorous!

Ticket to the Palace Museum, 1992.

Today, almost 30 years later, the price is still only at 40¥. However, was enlightened that the ticket fee to the forbidden city in 1991 was 3 CNY for Chinese people, and 30 CNY for foreign visitors. So, for Chinese visitors the fee has increase quite a bit, and the comment on the low price became a bit pointless.

Entrance to the Forbidden city.

Urn in the Forbidden city.

Unfortunately I did'nt stand behind the urn, but instead disrespectfully had jumped in. Fortunately it was a long time ago.

Smoking in a café in Beijing.

This place I do remember. From the outside you could not distinguish if was a bicycle shop, café, or something else. All places had the same, descrete type of signs, with no other indication of what they were providing, exept for a texted sign in 中文字母. You see, not that obvious for everyone!

Please keep in mind, that in 1992 smoking was not yet dangerous. The cigarette package even had a text saying "These cigarettes contains medical herbs and are therefore safe to use". You see, no risks!

To be continued...