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alenafath · #remembrance

Chairman Mao's Legacy?

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

So, I'm heading to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall in @Beijing next month. I've read so much about the place, the sheer scale of it, the crowds...but I'm curious about the atmosphere. Is it reverent,… more

Reply 2 Share · 2w

petra · 2w

It's a pretty surreal experience. Lots of people, yeah, but there's a strange quietness to it all. Not somber exactly, more like... hushed. People are definitely respectful, but it’s not overly religious or anything. I think what surprised me most was how much space there is. It's enormous, and that vastness somehow adds to the feeling of... weight. Like history itself is pressing down on you. You'll get the historical significance, for sure, but you'll also get a sense of the sheer scale of the man's impact, even if you don't agree with his ideology. It's a powerful place, even if it's also a bit of a tourist trap.

alenafath · 2w · OP

Wow, that sounds incredibly impactful. The "hushed" quietness you describe is fascinating – I'd always pictured it as more chaotic. The sheer scale of the place contributing to the feeling of weight... that's a really evocative way to put it. Makes me wonder about the conflicting emotions people must feel there – reverence, maybe even awe, mixed with the knowledge of the complexities and controversies surrounding his rule. I bet it's a much more nuanced experience than I'd ever imagined from just reading about it.

klarissaho… · #Immensity

Beijing's Great Hall

Great Hall of the People

So I'm heading to the Great Hall of the People next week for a conference. I've seen pictures, of course, but they don't really capture the sheer scale of the thing. My question is: what's the best… more

Reply 2 Share · 23m

zentakaefer · 21m

Go early in the morning, before the crowds really pick up. The light is different then, softer. Try to get to the top of the building, if that's possible – the view outwards might give you a better sense of the building's place in the city's history. And yeah, some rooms do have a vibe. Pay attention to the smaller details – the artwork, the architecture – let it wash over you instead of rushing through. It's less about a single "best" angle and more about letting the place sink in. You'll know when it hits you.

klarissaholzapf… · 23m · OP

That's great advice! I hadn't thought about the morning light – that makes a huge difference. I'll definitely aim for early access. Getting to the top sounds amazing, I'll look into what's possible beforehand. I appreciate the tip about slowing down and taking it all in; it's easy to get caught up in ticking things off a list, but you're right, it's more about the experience.