This is one of Beijing's most compelling sites - the Temple of Heaven, from which the Ming Dynasty emperors offered sacrifice to Heaven. The Temple of Heaven complex is bigger than the huge Forbidden City. The thinking was that "As Chinese emperors called themselves 'The Son of Heaven,' they dared not to build their own dwelling, 'Forbidden City,' bigger than a dwelling for Heaven."
China thinks of itself as the Middle Kingdom, meaning "the centre of civilization." Some say that alongside this high national self-regard, the Chinese national psyche is prickly - that "the Chinese can instantly turn hostile to foreigners at any perceived slight." About a year ago CS&W published, via the Chinese blog Danwei, a funny map of countries that have hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
Now, via Shanghaiist, enjoy this fun set of maps about what people from specific regions of China think about the other regions of China.
(And enjoy photography from all across China in the China Gallery at EarthPhotos.com.)
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