PRC 57 years - Building a Harmonius Society

Again it's one of those times in the year when the whole population of China goes on holiday at the same time. Only those working in the tourist industry stay at work to count their gold, but the other 1,3 billion people are all fighting for that same seat on the train.

Here in Beijing, though, things quiet down in the areas that are usually busy with commuter traffic and people going about their daily errands. The normal living areas clam down for a change, while the main tourist spots fill with endless noisy, crowds.

It's been three months now, that I have lived here in Beijing, and my love for this city is still on the rise. Every week I discover new treasures in the surrounding areas, which makes me enjoy this city just that little bit more.

Around the nearby lake, there are many little cafes and bars, where you can go on the roof terrace, and have a drink while looking over the roofs of old courtyard houses, being shadowed by many lush, green trees. And between the branches, you can see the glimmer of the water. What's best, all this in silence, feeling like there were no other people in the world.

Or you can hop on the bike, ride past the amazing historic sites of the Drum and Bell Towers, the Jinshan Park, the Forbidden City... and end up by the Tiananmen Square. Especially now, as it's the National Day holiday, the whole massive square has turned into a sea of people. Visitors from all over China just want to be right at the heart of it for a moment.

And the government has prepared the place for them. The banners celebrate the 57th birthday of the country, and announce the building on a harmonius Socialist society and the development of science. The themes of the decorations for this year's National Day are Tibet, the Three Gorges Dam, and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Pretty miniature models on artificial hills or strong messages to send?

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Miniatures of the Three Gorges Dam (behind) and the Potala Palace in Lhasa (front right) at Tiananmen Square