Beijing - Lost and found (3)

Informative exhibitions

But of course, much of what Michael is so proud of has been lost.

"Levelled in the 1950s to facilitate transport and blot out the grandeur of earlier dynasties, the city wall is perhaps Beijing's most conspicuous chunk of lost heritage," wrote Daniel McCrohan, Lonely Planet Beijing author.

But there are a couple of interesting and informative photographic exhibitions about the city wall and its gates inside some of the gateways.

The one inside the Southeast Corner Tower (inside a gallery called the Red Gate Gallery) is particularly good. They have some great photos of the city wall and the original gateways across the city, plus some old maps from when the wall was still intact. There's a similar, but less extensive exhibition inside the Qianmen gateway.

In 1965, most of the Beijing inner city walls gave way to the Second Ring Road, one of the most important roads in Beijing, which traces the shape of the ancient city wall on which it's built.

The road is home to the headquarters of big companies, like Petro China, as well as some famous theaters.

Driving along reveals one massive building more spectacular than the previous - a mighty line up of glass and steel bling.

Strolling along what is left the wall in Beijing left me with a constant smile on my face.

This is real-life Beijing, people engaging in conversations - most likely over the latest in dog food or dog fashion.

Granddads were teaching youngsters to ride their bikes or drive electric toy cars, while a group of amateur photographers focused on the subject in what looked like a photography course lesson. Good choice of location, I'd say.

Visiting the relics of the Beijing city wall doesn't take forever. It is, however, a pleasant experience spent among locals in an oasis in the capital.

And, more plans and projects restoring and rebuilding further parts of the city walls, gates, towers and barbicans around Beijing are already under way.

Better late than never!

Glimpses of glory

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