In Beijing: Red Tape and Roadblocks

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  08.09.08 | 12:51 PM ET

It didn’t take long to get my first taste of bureaucracy in action. On Friday, I found a police line about a block from Tiananmen Square—unbeknownst to the thousands of tourists in town, the square and the southern entrance to the Forbidden City had been closed to the public, in preparation for the opening ceremonies. On Saturday, they were at it again: the Badaling portion of the Great Wall had also been closed, along with the Ming Tombs, in deference to an upcoming cycling road race.

Of course, I understand that the Olympic Games involve some pretty serious security arrangements; what amazes me is the apparent suddenness of the closures, and the total lack of communication with visitors. I guess there’s nothing else to do but call it part of the adventure—yet more proof that Beijing still retains a little bit of exotic Communist flavor?

Related on World Hum:
* In Beijing: The Inescapable Games
* In Beijing: Not So ‘Sanitized’ After All?
* In Beijing: A Rainbow of Nations

Tags: Asia, China

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


2 Comments for In Beijing: Red Tape and Roadblocks

Scott 08.10.08 | 3:38 AM ET

I don’t know if I’d call that red tape.  Red tape would involve the same obstacles without a clear reason.  Clearly, the opening ceremonies and road race(s) are the issue.

Eva 08.11.08 | 2:11 AM ET

Let’s call it poetic license, shall we?

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