Mao Zedong's Mausoleum, Beijing

Get in line and see Mao for free! In the middle of Tiananmen Square, well, sort of to the south, is a massive building dedicated to Chairman Mao. The Helmsman is in there, and you quietly walk past him before heading straight into the gift shop. How tacky, China. I understand Mao is highly revered and respected and did many great things for China. But put the gift shop outside... somewhere else. It just doesn't seem respectful.

Anyway, the line can get long so get there in the morning. Enter from the east side only. Don't bring cameras, and try not to bring purses, backpacks or anything else that security will want to search.

It's interesting and worth a visit, but there's no time to linger. Take off any hats and don't talk inside.

Located in front of the monument of People's Heroes. The building contais the body of Mao which is refrigerated and is raised to be viewed mornings and afternoons. Unfortunarely for me, it was closed!! I'd have died to see him!!!

The queue was long and we were freezing while waiting in line for our turn to go into the mausoleum. Along the way, we saw people spitting on the floor despite there was sign not far that says “No camera, No bag, No spitting, No cutting-queue”…. Finally, we were in, we were not allowed to stop to talk…but simple followed the line…the whole ‘modus operandi’ took us less than a minute!! Trying to recollect what I saw; a look-alike of a wax figuring than for someone who had died for thirty years. Chairman Mao was “sleeping” in a crystal coffin in the main hall, surrounded by beautifully bloom flowers and grass…