Exploring History Real Chinese

Please note, we are currently unable to insert accents, etc,

in the following subtitles.

There are two Beijings -

21st-century Beijing and Imperial Beijing -

power base of the Chinese people for centuries.

In this programme, finding your way around,

from the city's smart boulevards to its magical palaces and temples.

And a trip out of town to the Ming tombs,

with tips on getting directions.

In the centre of Beijing lies Tiananmen Square,

the political heart of China.

Here, on October the 1st, 1949,

Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic.

Beijing is laid out like a grid, with the Square at the centre

and major buildings commanding the four directions of the compass.

This means North - the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

South - Qianmen Gate.

West - the Great Hall of the People.

East - the Museum of Chinese History and Revolution.

Since major streets are all signed

with their orientation from the centre,

knowing compass directions is a big help with finding your way.

Chang'an Avenue - the city's most impressive boulevard.

It runs east-west and some of the best hotels are to be found here.

This means "hotel".

"Where is...?"

"Where is the Beijing Hotel?"

"Over there."

"The Beijing Hotel is over there."

"On Chang'an Avenue East."

The Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing

is the best preserved group of ancient buildings in China.

The Chinese refer to it as...

"The Imperial Palace."

The palace was the centre of the Middle Kingdom.

For 600 years, it was completely off limits to ordinary people.

This means "to go" or "to get to".

"Excuse me...

"..how do I get to the Imperial Palace?"

"Go straight on."

Yizhi - "Straight on."

"Turn left."

Zuo - "Left."

"The palace is on your right."

You - "Right."

The palace is vast. It was home to two dynasties -

the Ming and the Qing - altogether 24 emperors.

The Ming Dynasty was the palace's heyday,

with some 70,000 eunuchs serving the court.

There were even royal elephants to be cared for.

During the Qing Dynasty, libraries, temples,

theatres and gardens were all built within the walls.

When emperors and courtiers found the Forbidden City claustrophobic,

they would take themselves to nearby Beihai Park -

their exclusive watery playground.

The 17th-century Buddhist Pagoda was built by the first Qing emperor,

to commemorate a visit from the Dalai Lama.

For today's visitors, there's a restaurant that serves

imperial food in the park, if you can find it.

"There is..."

"Is there a restaurant round here?"

Zheli - "Round here."

The restaurant is on the island.

"Go straight on."

"Cross the bridge."

Qiao - "Bridge."

"Turn right."

"The restaurant is on your left."

Covered walkways and arches heavily decorated in imperial style

are a feature of parks and beauty spots all over China.

But for real tranquillity and a sense of the past,

Beijing's temples are the places to seek out.

Bai Yun Guan, the White Cloud Temple,

is Northern China's leading centre for Daoism.

MUSIC PLAYS

THEY CHANT

During China's Cultural Revolution in the 1960s,

religious activity was suppressed, then everyone was expected

to worship the Great Helmsman Chairman Mao.

Since his death, the number of Daoist priests and nuns in China

has grown to more than 25,000.

Daoism is said to have been founded by the hermit figure, Lao Tzu,

who lived around 500BC.

Dao means "the way".

The idea being that a subtle but mighty force

gives form and life to all things.

The goal of the believer is to embrace this flow of energy -

physically and spiritually -

and thus live a long and healthy life.

IN TRANSLATION:

Ordinary people in China

found it hard to accept these metaphysical ideas

and a popular form of Daoism emerged involving a host

of deities and immortals and much superstition.

Behave well,

placate the spirit world

and you'll be blessed with good fortune -

especially if your coin hits its target.

BELL RINGING

Encounters with China's ancient belief systems

can offer real insights in to Chinese ways.

And Beijing's Confucius Museum - Guo Zi Jian - has much to offer.

..Means I'm going to.

I'm going to the Confucius Museum.

How do I get there?

SPEAKS IN CHINESE

..Means turn left...

..go straight on.

The Confucius Museum is on your right.

It's not very far.

Confucianism is a philosophy, rather than a religion,

that's deeply influenced Chinese culture.

Confucius - K'ung-fu-tzu - was a disciple of the Daoist, Lao Tzu,

and lived through a time of great social upheaval.

The chaos he witnessed led him

to preach the virtues of social harmony, hierarchy and learning.

He's venerated as the founder of scholarly life in China.

IN TRANSLATION:

Confucius emphasised the importance of respect and obedience,

from children to their parents and teachers,

from subjects to their rulers

and from rulers to the gods in heaven.

The high value placed on law and order in China

is rooted in Confucian beliefs.

North of Beijing, lies a lush area of countryside

which the Ming emperors chose as their burial ground.

The monumental approach to the Ming tombs

is known as The Spirit Way.

It's lined with giant statues of animals, generals and officials -

the guardians of the tombs.

Thirteen emperors lie buried in this area,

complete with their entourages,

wives, concubines and funerary treasures.

So far, only three tombs have been restored

and are open to the public.

Most are overgrown -

their secrets concealed from view.

These explorers are looking for Deling tomb

which is still being restored.

When the Chinese talk about distances,

they use li rather than kilometres.

One li is roughly half a kilometre.

Is this the way to Deling tomb?

THEY CONVERSE IN CHINESE

Means go straight on.

Turn right.

Go to the end of the road.

There's Deling tomb.

It's not far.

A massive project is underway to restore Deling

and all of the tombs to their former splendour.

The Chinese are keen for the Ming tombs to become

a World Heritage Site, and it's true that the emperors chose well -

few resting places can boast surroundings

as magnificent as these.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.

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