Maile’s China Adventure, Part 4: Tiananmen Square & The Forbidden City

by Papa K on April 17, 2014

On Tuesday, we headed over to the biggest tourist destinations on our itinerary – Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Our guide, Grant, had warned us that there would be A LOT of walking – and he was right, but he did a great job pacing things and I’m happy to report that Maile walked on her own two feet the whole way!

The kids had a lot of fun running around and exploring – it was like being inside a huge castle. And we took lots and lots of pictures. Oh, and Maile went flying too (see below).

The kids got things started off with this fun picture across the street from Tiananmen Square.

The kids got things started off with this fun picture across the street from Tiananmen Square.

Maile has been using an iPod Touch throughout the trip to snap her own photos as well.

Maile has been using an iPod Touch throughout the trip to snap her own photos as well.

The kids are REALLY popular with the Chinese tourists. They love taking pictures with them, especially Maile and her friend Teo (the two whitest looking of the kids). The kids have been pretty good sports – we break it up if it gets too crazy, but generally speaking the kids like it and the tourists love it. When Maile and Teo then start speaking to them in Chinese … minds blown.

What? You haven't taken a picture yet with the famous Maile Girl? Get in line! 20 Yuan!

What? You haven't taken a picture yet with the famous Maile Girl? Get in line! 20 Yuan!

A rare Mommy and Daddy shot - yep, we're here too!

A rare Mommy and Daddy shot - yep, we're here too!

After roaming around Tiananmen Square for a bit and a well-timed bathroom break, we headed in to the Forbidden City…

Family shot at one of the gates in the Forbidden City

Family shot at one of the gates in the Forbidden City

Maile Girl at the Forbidden City

Maile Girl at the Forbidden City

Maile and Daddy taking it all in!

Maile and Daddy taking it all in!

Mommy and Maile too!

Mommy and Maile too!

Everybody was kung fu fighting...

Everybody was kung fu fighting...

The 'Step on a crack' game is pretty challenging here...

The 'Step on a crack' game is pretty challenging here...

If you look close at this panorama, you can see Maile and Daddy on both sides - we had a lot of fun running back and forth creating this!

If you look close at this panorama, you can see Maile and Daddy on both sides - we had a lot of fun running back and forth creating this!

If you liked the first round of dress up, you’ll love this one. Not only did Maile and Mommy dress up, but I have in my possession a DVD of them flying over the Forbidden City that was made using blue screen. Let the cheese of that drip all over you.

Oh, you didn't think the dress up part would slip by Maile did you?

Oh, you didn't think the dress up part would slip by Maile did you?

And this time Mommy and Maile dressed up AND went flying! Yes, we have a DVD of Maile and Mommy flying over the Forbidden City. Yes, it as cheesy as it sounds - and Maile loved it!

And this time Mommy and Maile dressed up AND went flying! Yes, we have a DVD of Maile and Mommy flying over the Forbidden City. Yes, it as cheesy as it sounds - and Maile loved it!

One more kung fu fighting shot before we go...

One more kung fu fighting shot before we go...

After a good workout roaming all over, we headed to a Mongolian Hot Pot restaurant for lunch.

Mommy enjoying some Mongolian Hot Pot...

Mommy enjoying some Mongolian Hot Pot...

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel for some swimming and then a 30 minute nap that somehow turned into one and a half hours (blame Daddy). We were groggy, but we headed out for some dinner. We went to Made in China – and it was the best meal we’ve had so far. The restaurant was really cool too – an open kitchen with glass dividers so Maile could watch everything being made.

Maile Girl checking out our dumplings being made at Made in China restaurant...

Maile Girl checking out our dumplings being made at Made in China restaurant...

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