On Sunday, the President attends services at Chongwenmen church, the
first American Methodist-Episcopal church built in northern China. It is
the largest Protestant church in Beijing and was founded in 1870. One of
its pastors, Wu Wei, will visit the United States this summer under an
USIA International Visitor Program (IVP) grant. Reverend Billy Graham
preached at Chongwenmen twice and former President George Bush attended
services there.
Following church services, the President will tour the Forbidden City.
Located in the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City is the largest and
best-preserved palace complex in China. Once the imperial palace of the
Ming and Qing emperors, it now is open to the public, receiving over
10,000 visitors each day.
During the afternoon, the President will travel to Mutianyu, located 40
miles outside Beijing to tour a portion of the Great Wall of China. The
Great Wall at Mutianyu is located about 40 miles northeast of Beijing; it
only recently has been opened to tourists. Originally constructed in the
mid-6th century, it was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Ming
emperors. The masonry at Mutianyu consists of rectangular granite
covered by gray bricks. The main castle has three connecting watch
towers -- a large tower in the center with two smaller ones on either
side.
