I started off the day with some delicious breakfast.  We walked across the street to my university campus and got some turnover like bread.  They are one of favorite things to eat in China!

He loved it!

We jumped on the subway to head to the Temple of Heaven.  This temple was built in the 1400s and is where the emperor went to pray for a good harvest.

Attached to the Temple of Heaven is a park that a lot of locals go to.  In China, grandparents take care of their grandchild while the parents work.  It is not customary for children to be put into daycare here.  So at the park you see lots of low impact exercise equipment that the grandparents use while the children play. 

This one was planning a surprise attack on his parents. He was waiting for the perfect time to run out yelling “ahhhhhhhhhh!”

I had some fun while I was there too!

We next headed to Qianmen to do a little shopping.  It’s a labyrinth of little shops, which can be overwhelming, but a lot of fun too! 

After, we rushed across the street to catch the flag lowering ceremony at Tiananmen Square.  This 2 minute long ceremony occurs every day when the sun rises and sets.  Hundreds of locals gather to see the guards carry the flag and officially turn on all the street lamps.  If you are going to visit Tiananmen Square, you don’t want to miss this ceremony!

Overall, my Dad and I had a good first day in Beijing.  Hope day number two is just as good!