Mao's Mausoleum, Beijing

Spend only a few minutes ihside the tomb displays and then head outside to enjoy the surrounding areas and walk the Sacred Way...one mile of interesting statues and history. Much more interesting & relaxing than an hour in a dark Ming display, in my opinion.

Unique Suggestions: be polite, take a quick look, and only if you are truly interested should you purchase what is much more expensive than in the local markets. Your local guide is hoping for a sale which will bring a commission...beware of this and shop on your own when you find what you really want.

Fun Alternatives: When in a group that stops at some factory or display, just don't go in unless it does seem of interest to you. I always bring a good book along and just stay on the bus, or in the vehicle, read adn relax. It was, for example, the Wall I paid to see, not a silk rug demostration or a jade carving demo. This works for me everytime!

For the first time on visiting Beijing this year we were able to see inside the mauseleum. It's free except you have to hand your bags in at a small office situated on the right (looking towards the Forbidden city) outside the circling road. There is a small payment (this isn't the rip off). You then enter the cue to get in and are funnelled in in large groups. Inside the grounds you will tried to be sold artificial flowers to put infront of the great man. Don't buy unless ofcourse you really want to. Flowers placed infront of the body are trolleyed out after your group has left the hall and resold. i calculated about 20-30 times a day

When buying goods off unofficial sellers,
take the item first, check it & hold onto the item until purchased.

DO NOT give them large notes, keep change simple, likely to run away with money & goods.

Unique Suggestions: Keep an eye on wallet as groups work in threes or fours.

Keep regul;ar change in one pocket & wallet somewhere else.

Fun Alternatives: It's a must see placeto go

I know that many consider this a tourist trap - pay a fee to be herded through a room to see an embalmed body - but I was amazed at the total reverence of those who were there to see Mao, the flowers that were being left in his honor, and the huge line of people, aobut 99% chinese, who wanted to pay homage to his memory.

Unique Suggestions: I was glad I went. Seeing the great respect that so many have for Mao, despite the many mistakes that he made in his leadership, gave me some insight into the Chinese thought and feelings on their leaders. That, of course, is priceless.

Fun Alternatives: There is nothing like this, and no substitute.

Mao's Mausoleum (Mao Zhuxi Jinian Tang) is situated on Tiananmen Square, between Qianmen and the statue of the Revolution's Heroes.

Personnally, I haven't been inside because I'm not interested in seeing a dead guy's corpse.

Furthermore, my family has been part of a tour group and the visit to Mao was of course included. They can't bring in anything. Everything went really fast : when they entered the room where his body is shown, they cannot stop and have to keep on walking while watching. They have been in the room for no more than 1 minute.