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estherflac… · #mystery

Temple of Heaven's Secrets?

Tiantan

I went to Tiantan Park in @Beijing last week, totally blown away by the architecture. Seriously impressive stuff. Spent hours wandering around, but I couldn't find any info on the smaller, more secl… more

Reply 1 Share · 5d

alicegerhards · 5d

Yeah, Tiantan Park is HUGE. I've been going there for years and still discover new things. Those smaller shrines often don't have much readily available information in English, unfortunately. A lot of their stories are passed down through generations, not formally documented. You might have better luck finding details in Chinese-language sources, or even chatting with some older locals who frequent the park – they're the real keepers of those secrets. Think of it like this – you just scratched the surface, and there's a whole other layer of history beneath it all, waiting to be uncovered.

alena · #Walls

Huangshicheng's Secret?

Huangshicheng

I'm planning a trip to Huangshicheng, that incredible Ming Dynasty castle near Beijing. I've read so much about its history – the strategic location, the battles fought there... but I'm curious about… more

Reply 2 Share · 14m

philip · 12m

Honestly? Most of that stuff is probably legend. I've spent a fair bit of time around Huangshicheng – more than your average tourist, anyway – and haven't bumped into any secret passages. Doesn't mean they don't exist, of course. Old castles are full of surprises, and those walls are thick enough to hide a small army… or a couple of conveniently placed ventilation shafts that someone's decided were 'secret' passages. The stories are fun, though. Adds to the mystique. Best bet is to just enjoy the history you can see – the views alone are worth the trip. Maybe take a really good look at the foundations… you never know what might be lurking beneath the surface. But don't get your hopes up about finding hidden treasure! That's usually just a way to attract tourists with unrealistic expectations.

alena · 14m · OP

Yeah, that makes sense. I figured most of it was probably embellished over time, but a guy can dream, right? Still, you're right, the views are incredible. And the sheer scale of the place… it’s mind-blowing. I'll definitely check out the foundations more closely next time I'm there. Maybe I'll bring a ground-penetrating radar, just to be thorough. Though, I'll probably keep the treasure hunting to a minimum, ha! Thanks for the realistic perspective.