Day 1/2 – Tiananmen Square
Posted on 30. Aug, 2010 by Poi in Blog, China
We got off to a bit of a slow start on our first full day in Beijing, good old jet lag meant we didn’t wake up until 12.30pm. We did decide the night before it would be better to catch up on sleep sooner rather than later so we weren’t too concerned.
We took a quick look at the map of Beijing and decided to take a wonder to Tiananmen Square – the obvious choice. As we followed the map for nearly an hour we started to notice just how busy Beijing is, there are people everywhere cycling, walking and driving and what seems like hundreds of buses. We walked round the back of the Forbidden City and made our way to Tiananmen Square.
The back of the Forbidden City
As soon as you get close to the square there seems to be a lot more police and what I imagine are military personnel in every direction. When you enter the square you are directed straight towards a security check where all bags have to be scanned.
The famous view from Tiananmen
Kirsty in front of Mao's place of rest
Tiananmen Square is surrounded by large impressive buildings in every direction however we could not help but be drawn to the amount of CCTV cameras around. Each lamp post (and there are a lot) was covered in them, security is a huge thing here and the locals/chinese tourists show a lot of respect for the place, they don’t even spit on the floor like they do everywhere else
Spot the cameras?
First impression of China……… Is a good one.
An English couple travelling China and South East Asia since August 2010. 
Thom and Sean
30. Aug, 2010
Dudes!
Well done on your first day, excellent start!
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
Thank you!!! Did quite a lot even though we planned on just having a quick look around.
Jenneil
30. Aug, 2010
I am amazed at the level of security there… wow. they search bags to walk into an open space square… but, then, again, there is just a tad of violent history there…
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
Just a bit of a history, but we won’t go into that…
Caz Makepeace
30. Aug, 2010
So excited to be finally reading your stories on the road! I’m so glad you are loving China. I’m insanely jealous
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
We are loving China a lot! Hope you enjoy our posts!
Susan
30. Aug, 2010
The Starbucks pic is ace. They really are everywhere, aren’t they??
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
Yeah there is plenty of them – not as bad as KFC they are pretty much on every street corner!
Jeremy
30. Aug, 2010
Nice! The food looks good, so I’m excited. 17 days in Japan and I’m ready for the next place. Still have 12 to go before I leave though!
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
I’m sure you’re gonna love it here, enjoy Japan and we’ll see you soon!
ayngelina
30. Aug, 2010
What a great first day. Don’t worry about the jet lag, just ease into it.
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
It’s slowly getting better – we’ll be fine in a couple of days!
Nomadic Chick
30. Aug, 2010
Me too. Insanely jealous you’re at my motherland! Well, one of them anyway. So happy for you guys.
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
Thanks! I hope your having as much fun on your trip as we are!
Andi
30. Aug, 2010
Wo ai Zhongguo (I love China)!!! Great start to your trip!!!!!!!!!
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
Wo ai Zhongguo!!!
Jaime D.
30. Aug, 2010
Where are the cameras??? I couldn’t spot them…lol! Thats crazy how much security but who knows maybe it is needed or well they are just being big brother.
Sounds like yall have started yalls RTW very well!!!
Oh BTW I like your shirt POI~
Poi
31. Aug, 2010
It’s mad isn’t it! We were even in a park today that had CCTV everyhwhere – I’m not sure what for?? You wern’t allowed on the grass though so maybe it was for that haha.
I hope you like the shirt a lot – I only have 5 with me so you’re gonna be seeing a lot more of it!
megan
07. Sep, 2010
Definitely sounds like a great first day! I only just arrived in Beijing a few days ago and I emerged from the subway from the airport basically right in the middle of Tiananmen Square – so surreal!!
Poi
10. Sep, 2010
Thats one hell of a place to make your entrance – hope your enjoying Beijing!
Adam
09. Sep, 2010
Awesome guys, looking good. So nice to be on the road finally, huh? Enjoy yourselves!!
Poi
10. Sep, 2010
Yeah it’s great to be actually doing it now after so long planning, it takes some getting use to though, spending all the time when we’ve been doing the opposite for two yeras!