Forbidden City

 

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Here's a panorama of the Forbidden City, as seen from Jingshan Park, showing the North Gate. The main entrance, Meridian Gate, is on the south and fronts Tiananmen Square. We start at the north end because it's closest to our hotel. If the air looks dirty that's because it is. Very. However, it's not the worst we encountered in China. Not by a long shot. Gives L.A. a run for the money!

Like most historic Chinese fortifications, The Forbidden City is surrounded by a very effective moat.

 

Here's our guide posing with the admiral in front of the North Gate aka Gate of Divine Might

 

Awwwwwwwww....

 

The Hall of Preserving Harmony, which was used for rehersals and Imperial exams.

 

The Hall of Supreme Harmony, where major ceremonies were held.

 

The square has an interesting construction. The Emperor, fearing tunneling attempts by assassins, ordered the bricks in the square be laid 15 layers deep, with each layer at right angles to the one below.

 

Our Intrepid Captain became fascinated by the roof critters. This roof rates the highest count of 9, which was the Emperor's Number, 10 being reserved for God. There are various descriptions that you can read here and here.

  Our gentle readers can look this up on their own, but the symbolism seems to be that the first figure, who is riding a chicken or phoenix and is either an "immortal" or civil servant, is watched over by the mythical animals who wait to pounce if he strays from his duty. The lineup is ended by another immortal and the dragon at the end represents the State. You can always tell the importance of a building by its critter count.

 

Moving south, this is the Gate of Supreme Harmony as seen from the Inner Golden Water River.

 

Meridian Gate, the main formal entrance to the Forbidden City

In case you ever wondered, red is considered the "lucky color" to the chinese.

 

Finally, we see the Gate of Heavenly Peace, leading to Tiananmen Square. This is a flawed panorama.

FYI, Tiananmen means Gate of Heavenly Peace in Chinese.

 

  This is Tiananmen Square itself. Mao's Tomb (Maosaleum?) is the classical Greekish-looking building in the background. We meant to visit but time and fatigue intervened. We figure he'll still be there when we return, just chillin'. Be prepared to walk at least nine hours a day IF you opt for a private tour! We were happy for the exercise despite the pace. We found that when we lacked a 'guide' on our return days to Beijing at the end of our tour, we spent just as much if not more time pounding the pavement. There is just so much to see.

 

  

Obviously, here Cap'n Hub has decided this Emperor gig is not such a bad deal. His lovely consort is not taking it with the same gravitas.

  We're getting silly now, so let's move on to the Ming Tombs.

 

 

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