Beijing Sketch Diary #1
Added 2016-09-30 22:15:59 +0000 UTCLast month I was fortunate enough to go on an extended martial arts trip in Beijing, training under several top masters of Baguazhang. If you're unfamiliar with Baguazhang (Bagua for short), it's the style that Airbending is based on in Avatar and Korra. I've been doing martial arts since I was six, but I've only been practicing Bagua for three or so years. This excursion was an eye-opener to say the least, for both my physical training and understanding of Chinese culture. These installments will cover interesting places and moments in my trip, which I tried to capture in quick sketch form.
Above: Every morning started with a 45 minute walk to the park where I would train. One of the first spots I'd pass is Yongdingmen, the front gate of the outer section of Beijing's old city wall. In front is a square lined with these weird concrete pillars. I never did figure out what they were for. The square is a popular spot for kite fliers, who almost exclusively use kites that are shaped like birds of prey. From a distance they really do look like hawks and eagles, which was more than a bit confusing when I first walked through.
