This is probably my favorite place in Beijing so far. The Temple of Heaven is where emperors would go to pray. Nowadays, it’s where thousands of Beijing residents turn out in the early morning to practice Tai Chi. The whole group of 80 of us tried it too. We got there at around 8 in the morning and the place was already packed. There were people everywhere practicing their moves.
Half way through, I happened upon a large group of people singing. I had my recorder in my pocket so I whipped it out and captured some great sound.
On our way out we passed probably a thousand or so people just hanging out and playing games, cards or just sitting around. There were several random performances probably geared toward tourists. Ladies singing, ribbon dancing and peddlers selling feather hacky sack things.
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“Rene Leys” is a novel by Victor Segalen, a Frenchman who lived in Beijing, circa 1910. Leys attempted to visit the Temple of Heaven and the retreats of the Emperors but was stymied at every turn.
Glad to know you’re having such an interesting trip, but where are the pandas? If this is China, there must be pandas!