Mao's Tomb by Chrissy50
I was there 3 years ago this November, from memory we arrived about 10am, Fistly do you know that you have to go across the road and leave everything there, e.g. camera, bags etc. it is not hard finding where you have to go, you are given a ticket and then go back across the road and get in line. I did not find the time a problem when I was there, I would guess it took about 10 mins standing in line, slowly moving all the time, the line moves quite quickly and of course it is interesting just to be there. I was not with a tour so there were no other westeners there at the time, lost of Chinese tourists. There is a stall selling flowers (artificial) just before you enter I can't remember how much they were charging but lot's of Chinese were buying them, you find a statue of Mao first and that is where the flowers are placed. My guess is that they are continually reused, someone might contridict me on that point. I have read a couple of Mao's bioghrophy's and of course heard the speculation on wether or not it is his body or a wax model, no matter it was quite strange and interesting being there, then get ready for the souviner's for sale as you leave. Enjoy your time it is a facinating country.
