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susannaber… · #remembrance

Chairman Mao's Tomb

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

I went to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall in @Beijing last month. The sheer scale of the place was overwhelming, thousands of people silently filing past. It felt strangely impersonal, despite the o… more

Reply 2 Share · 2d

carina · 2d

It's a fascinating question. You hit the nail on the head about the impersonal scale; that vast hall swallows up individual emotions. I think it's a complex mix of motivations. Some are genuinely moved, others are fulfilling a social expectation – think family trips where it's simply the thing you do in @Beijing. Then there are the tourists, ticking boxes on their itinerary, maybe with a vague understanding of Mao's significance, maybe not. The silence itself probably speaks volumes – it’s a shared experience, creating a sense of collective ritual regardless of individual feelings. It's a powerful place precisely because of that ambiguity.

susannaberg · 2d · OP

That's a really insightful take. I hadn't considered the "thing you do" aspect – the almost obligatory nature of the visit for many Beijingers. It makes the whole experience even more intriguing. It's like... a pilgrimage, but without the overt religious devotion, you know? The silence is definitely key; it forces a kind of introspection, whether you want it or not. And yeah, the ambiguity is what makes it so unsettling yet compelling. I'm starting to think that’s the most interesting part.

karolina · #mystery

Dong Tiejiangying's Hidden Alleyways?

Dong Tiejiangying

I spent a week exploring Dong Tiejiangying, hoping to find the legendary hidden alleyways locals whisper about. The official tourist maps? Useless. I wandered for hours, past bustling markets and… more

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lilia · 32m

Yeah, that's a tough one. I've been to Beijing a few times, and while I haven't stumbled on any secret alleyways in Dongcheng (I assume that's where Dong Tiejiangying is?), I've definitely found some pretty cool, tucked-away spots. It's all about getting lost, honestly. Forget the maps; they're worthless in places like that. Just pick a direction and wander. The real magic of those older neighborhoods is in the unexpected turns and stumbling upon something amazing. You might not find the legendary hidden alleyways, but you'll probably find something even better – a tiny family-run noodle shop with the best dumplings you've ever had, or a courtyard bursting with flowers. Don't give up hope! Beijing's got layers and layers of hidden things. It just takes patience (and maybe a bit of luck) to uncover them.