Obligatory Statue of Mao Zedong In Front of His Own Mausoleum
One of the more significant structures at area where the Forbidden City is is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong 毛主席纪念堂. The structure comes after the Zhengyang Gate and seems to be have been intended to be part of the buildings at the Forbidden City, effectively elevating him to the status of emperor. Ironically, Mao Zedong preferred to be cremated but his remains are not interred here at the mausoleum built in his honor. The Mausoleum was built shortly after his death and was built in typical Chinese Communist style, large and imposing.
Another Statue at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong 毛主席纪念堂
Visitors can have a glimpse of Mao’s remains when the mausoleum is open unfortunately, it was rather late in the day and the mausoleum was already closed. But then again, I remember hearing about how someone could never get in the mausoleum as it seems to be always closed. There are rumors that the body on display is just a replica but this is naturally impossible to confirm. I could only look on the mausoleum building behind a fence. There were guards in the area and security seems to be tight as it ever was since it is a sensitive location.
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