15 November 2011
National museum
Chinas national museum borders Tiananmen square. It is actually free, however there seemed to be a huge line to get in with many tour groups, I spotted a side entry, 10 Yuan to see the special exhibit of european post modern romantic reformist art from the 2nd restoration. No line here so I paid my $1.20 to get straight into both the main museum and the special exhibit.
The building itself is very impressive and huge. Unfortunately at least half the exhibition halls are closed for refurbishment. I could see into them and refurbishment means spotless and completely empty. The internet tells me this was the case in 2009, 2010 etc. so I suspect half empty is now a permanent feature.
What was there was good, but lacking in English quite badly. I particularly enjoyed some modern paintings of Mao and various moments in history painted in glorious exaggeration.
There were a huge number of soldiers in here, in uniform, but they were off duty and messing around (piggy back rides in a museum for example!).
Most of the exhibitions were the same as Shanghai, currency, calligraphy, pottery. The european art thing was good because it had some scientific equipment from the 1700's as well, such as vaccuums, electrostatic experiments, telescopes etc.
The museum store was hilarious. I had great success at the Korean national museum last month buying good quality stuff for a decent price. Here in Beijing they wanted $10 for a fridge magnet, $50 for a fake silk scarfe and a big sign saying no bargaining. I did not see a single sale made. Around the corner you can buy real silk scarfes for $1.
Junk street. I did all my gift shopping here. I am a big spender.
This park is behind my hotel. It has no real entrance from the street, just a gateway behind a wall. I wasnt sure if I was supposed to be there or not but it was very nice.
The water was surprisingly clear, I could see the bottom of the streams.
Inside the museums entrance hall.
Inside the hall of glorious portraits of the dear leader.
Mainly buddah. Its dark in here hence the noise in the photo. I am considerate and do not use flash (theres signs saying not to). I am the only person following this rule.
More annoying is there seems to be a great feature of phones to get stuck on the count down timer mode that beeps loudly. Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEP.
Get 10 of these going at once and it makes for good times for everyone.
Ancient china was easily the best part of the museum, and easy to miss as its in the basement and not obvious to get to as the escalator is blocked off and you have to take the stairs.
I think these are real terracotta warriors.
These ones however are recreations.
This pagoda is probably fake, unless ancient Chinese people were smurf sized.
My lunch.
My first real failure of a meal. I got NOTHING that I asked for, and I pointed at the pictures on the menu when I ordered. The dumplings were ok, but were not pork which is what I ordered, I think maybe crab?
The soup however, is terrible, that big dumpling at the back is not a dumpling, its some kind of bandage with spices wrapped in it. I guess it goes into the soup, we do the same thing in western cooking with whole spices, but you dont usually serve it up.
Despite my bandaid full of not sure what, the soup has no flavour. The other stuff floating in it besides bok choy is bread. I know our malay friends put bread in laksa, but that has flavour to absorb.