Well I would not say it was my favorite place in Beijing. Yet it is certainly unusual and worth a visit if you have the time. We had to wait in a line that was constantly moving but snaked around the building and took approximately one hour on a Sunday morning in the Summer. This alone was interesting as you are in the middle of Tiananmen Square with throngs of Chinese paying homage to their national heritage. Once you are inside the building, it is only a brief moment that you are in the room with his body. Then you exit through a gift shop that sells many items honoring Mao at very low costs. Clearly the State wants people to honor Mao and makes it easy to pick up a tricket.

The most interesting part of my experience was the fact that cameras were not allowed into the hall... period! It doesn't matter if you tell them you will keep it in your pocket or given them the batteries.... absolutely no cameras are allow. Don't try to sneak them in as you will go through a security check just prior to entering the hall. Now they do give you the option of checking your camera and bags (also not allowed) and I was allow to rejoin the line at the front after going to a building just off the square to check my bag.

Now why I find the camera situation so interesting is that the Chinese do absolutely nothing to stop cell phones. When I was refused entry, I even pointed this out and mentioned that most phones have cameras. This arguement did not matter to them. They were told to keep out cameras and that they did! What I found funny was as I was walking into the Forbidden City (a must see!) later that day I bumped into the German tourists that were in line with me earlier at the Memorial Hall. One of them did manage to get a good picture of Mao's body on their cell phones. Too funny! I like to tell this because I find it very representative of many experiences in China. People do what they are told even if it isn't really achieving what is probably the real end goal.

Despite what you may think of the man, Mao looms large over the current Chinese nation. If you do have some interest and the time it is certainly worth the experience of visiting his Memorial Hall. And while I found it kind of funny, I do think you should show some respect and not take any pictures with your cell phone.

Mao Mausoleum consists of a big house just opposite the Tiananmen Square . There is a white marble statue of Mao sitting in an armchair. Then you have to queue to see the guarded Mao’s corpse. You have to walk fast, for the guards won’t allow you to even have a close look. Outside you can buy souvenirs.

It's a bit creepy visiting Mao's corpse, but it's a big part of recent Chinese history, so I guess you can't miss it.