"The Tiananmen, Beijing Gate of Heavenly Peace is the main entrance to the old Imperial City.
 
I remember thinking as we were driven into the city, down the long tree lined avenue from the airport, just what a pleasant and uncluttered place Peking seemed to be, with a few motor vehicles and even fewer tall buildings. Our hotel, close to the centre, was to be one of these few tall buildings, and from its roof, I recall later looking out into the far distance across the grey tiled roofs of mainly single story houses. The result, we were told, of a decree by a past emporer that no building should be taller than his palace. We spent a week in this interesting city, being kept on a fairly busy programme of visits, like on the rest of the trip, though here, I am glad to say, we did get quite a bit of time off in-between to do our own thing." - MH