It is Easter and so we wish to present to you the magnificent view of "The Egg", our visitors found in Beijing!! But before that join us for a short trip through the landmarks of Beijing:
The Great Wall of ChinaThe Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties.
Enjoying the strollThe Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Enjoying the stroll
After finishing the “businesses” at the Press, Kathy (in the center) accompanied us on a couple of days in Beijing. Here we are on the Great Wall, 70 kms. from Beijing.
Priceless… unforgettable!
Maciel at the entrance of the wall…
It is necessary to cheer up... Fr. Rossa
The Forbidden City Lying at the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong in Chinese, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tiananmen Square. 
Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. The common English name, "the Forbidden City," is a translation of the Chinese name Zijin Cheng, literally "Purple Forbidden City".
Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. The common English name, "the Forbidden City," is a translation of the Chinese name Zijin Cheng, literally "Purple Forbidden City".The name "Zijin Cheng" is a name with significance on many levels. Zi, or "Purple", refers to the North Star, which in ancient China was called the Ziwei Star, and in traditional Chinese astrology was the abode of the Celestial Emperor. The surrounding celestial region, the Ziwei Enclosure was the realm of the Celestial Emperor and his family. The Forbidden City, as the residence of the terrestrial emperor, was its earthly counterpart. Jin, or "Forbidden", referred to the fact that no-one could enter or leave the palace without the emperor's permission.
The Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here. Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, it houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987, the Palace Museum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions world-wide.
Tian'anmen Square is the large plaza near the centre of Beijing, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history.
The Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world (440,000 m² - 880 m by 500 m) . It has been the site of many events. The Tiananmen Gate was first built in 1417 in the Ming Dynasty. During the demise of the Ming Dynasty, heavy fighting between Li Zicheng and the early Qing emperors damaged (or perhaps destroyed) the gate. The Tian'anmen square was originally designed and built in Beijing in 1651. It was enlarged to its present size (four times its original size) and cemented over in 1958.
Fr. Maciel at the Tiananmen and entrance to the Forbidden CityNational Stadium of Beijing
Fr. Luis at the NEST, the Olympics Stadium, Beijing
The Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Ming Emperor Yong Le (1403-1424). The Temple of Heaven was originally established as the Temple of Heaven and Earth, but was given its current name during the reign of Ming Emperor JiaJing (1522-1567). It was the place where the emperors of the dynasties Ming and Qing offered sacrifices to the god of the Sky and prayed for rich harvests. In early 2005, the Temple of Heaven underwent a 47 million yuan (6 million US$) renovation that was completed on May 1st, 2006. The Temple of Heaven has been converted into a park that is popular both with tourists and residents alike.
It occupies a surface three times the one of the Imperial Palace. It is about 2 kilometers from north to south. The inner walled area that houses the main structures covers 275 Hectares (2.75 million square meters). Indeed, it is the largest group of constructions for worship in the world.
National Theatre
Colloquially described as The Egg, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is an opera house in Beijing. The Centre, an ellipsoid dome of titanium and glass surrounded by an artificial lake, seats 5,452 people in three halls and is almost 12,000 m² in size.
It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. Construction started in December 2001 and the inaugural concert was held in December 2007.
Popularly known as the "Birds' Nest", due to its steel outer structure, the stadium of Beijing stands tall and magnificent with its 330 meters length, 220 meters width and 69 meters height. The structure is covered with a transparent membrane. It is equipped with a solar energy system and rainwater collection for it's irrigation and cleaning. The "Birds' Nest" hosted the inauguration and closing ceremonies, various track and field and Soccer events of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Fr. Luis at the NEST, the Olympics Stadium, Beijing The Temple of Heaven was constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Ming Emperor Yong Le (1403-1424). The Temple of Heaven was originally established as the Temple of Heaven and Earth, but was given its current name during the reign of Ming Emperor JiaJing (1522-1567). It was the place where the emperors of the dynasties Ming and Qing offered sacrifices to the god of the Sky and prayed for rich harvests. In early 2005, the Temple of Heaven underwent a 47 million yuan (6 million US$) renovation that was completed on May 1st, 2006. The Temple of Heaven has been converted into a park that is popular both with tourists and residents alike.
It occupies a surface three times the one of the Imperial Palace. It is about 2 kilometers from north to south. The inner walled area that houses the main structures covers 275 Hectares (2.75 million square meters). Indeed, it is the largest group of constructions for worship in the world.National Theatre
Colloquially described as The Egg, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is an opera house in Beijing. The Centre, an ellipsoid dome of titanium and glass surrounded by an artificial lake, seats 5,452 people in three halls and is almost 12,000 m² in size.
It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. Construction started in December 2001 and the inaugural concert was held in December 2007.
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