the forbidden city--part two

We stepped through the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility and entered into the Imperial Garden! This is amazing because it's only 12,000 square meters and talented designers were able to make such an elaborate garden in such a small space.

It was built in 1417 in the Ming Dynasty and was just for the Imperial family to reside. Inside this hall, the Taoist God of Water was worshipped because he was supposed to protect the Forbidden City from fire.

It was really interesting the way that harmony was maintained with all the structures. The trees are ancient and have so much story to tell. Here's an ancient Incense Burner!

At each of the four corners of this garden are four pavilions, representing the four seasons. The most famous of these buildings is the Pavilion of Myriad Springs located in the eastern corner.

We called this the "Love Tree" and actually is such! These four hundred year old consorted pines actually grow like this, and they believe that it's the symbol of unity of the Emperor and Empress.

These giant rock formations were imported from a sea bed and are "modern art" and are throughout the garden. You can see random carvings in it of animals or symbols
In the biggest piece of rock is a cave going through it. (they call this a "mountain")

The Pavilion of Imperial View is built upon this "mountain". It was used for the Imperial Family to enjoy the view of this magnificent place. Such history and amazing stories.

I wish that I hadn't been frozen from the neck down so I could have enjoyed it more!

It was an awesome visit!

the forbidden city--part one

This was definitely my most favorite part of Beijing! The history, the culture, absolutely everything about it sparked my intrigue and I found it to be so fascinating. Absolutely amazing! It's surrounded by 26-foot-high walls, and has a 170-foot-wide moat.

Here's a reference guide for you:
A. Meridian Gate
B. Gate of Divine Light
C. West Glorious Gate
D. East Glorious Gate
E. Corner Towers
F. Gate of Supreme Harmony
G. Hall of Supreme Harmony
H. Hall of Military Eminence
J. Hall of Literary Glory
K. Southern Three Places
L. Palace of Heavenly Purity
M. Imperial Garden
N. Hall of Mental Cultivation
O. Hall of Tranquil Longetivity
Talk about Fung Shui! The axis line runs through the entire City, and extends throughout China. The Bird's Nest was actually built along this axis line to help Olympians with peace and health for their competitions. Cool, huh?!

Construction for the Forbidden City began in 1406 and lasted 15 years. It required over one million workers!

After being the home of 24 emperors—fourteen of the Ming Dynasty and ten of the Qing Dynasty—the Forbidden City ceased being the political center of China in 1912 with the abdication of Pyui , the very last Emperor of China.

We're standing in front of the Inner Golden Water River. Huh, didn't even know it. It was frozen solid.

One of the Glorious Gates, can't remember which one honestly. I get turned-around pretty easily. You're supposed to step over the gate threshold with your right foot for luck or something, I was a rebel and stepped with my LEFT foot. Ha!
Me in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. In the beginning it was used for court proceedings, but in the later years, it was only used for ceremonial purposes; such as coronations or imperial weddings. It's the tallest building in the Forbidden City, raised 98 feet taller than the others.


Before the Beijing Olympics last year, the government came in and repainted and resurfaced a lot of the City because it's a huge tourist attraction. Some places are "brighter" than others.

These pots were gigantic! I imagined they were used to heat water in, there was a place to light a fire underneath each of them. The Chinese love their tea, maybe these were their teapots.

The Throne in the Hall of Preserving Harmony! It is the ceremonial center of Imperial power and the largest surviving wooden structure in China. In the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor held court here to discuss affairs of state. During the Qing Dynasty, as Emperors held court frequently.
(sorry it's a little dark)
Don't mind me being a dork, look at the structure's colors behind me.

This is the Throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Emperor, representing Yang and the Heavens, would occupy the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Empress, representing Yin and the Earth, would occupy the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. In between them was the Hall of Union, where the Yin and Yang mixed to produce harmony. (sound familiar?)

This is an example of the paintings seen in the Ming Dynasty. Lots of golds portraying wealth and fortune.
Part of the Imperial Way, the steps that only the Emperor could walk (and occasionally some others at very certain times in history) is awesome. This is why it's so incredible:
-elaborate and symbolic bas-relief carvings
-carved from a single piece of stone 54 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 5 1/2 feet thick.
-it is on the axis that passes through the Forbidden City




And there's a PERFECT spot to sit down! They have only two exits from the courtyard into this huge garden; and the hoards of people are funnled through them! When my Mom visited the first time, there was a man just sitting here and people were tripping over him to get out the door. So, get out of the way, Aim!

"gate of heavenly peace"

Considered to be the "front door" to The Forbidden or Imperial City, is Tienanmen Square! This was incredibly awesome to experience, as we were the ONLY European-looking people. The ONLY Americans. A little intimidating.

I had pictured things differently. Kinda like this:

Only because this was the only picture I had seen in regards to the Square. It really wasn't at all what I had imagined. It had a different spirit and feel to the Square. I thought there would be more guards and more militants, but there were only a handful and it was pretty much low-key. Very interesting history to it. We crossed this gigantic street, by the way.

I laughed at this sight, why do they need a guard to keep this stone lion tame?
At the north end of the Square, is Tienanmen Tower. It was initially built in 1417 in the Ming Dynasty. (1368 A.D.-1644 A.D.) It's HUGE!

Here's the base of it. It doesn't show the sheer size of this monument.

The Mao Zedong Memorial Hall is at the south side of the Square. Chairman Mao's body lies in a crystal coffin in this Hall and it costs money to see; so we didn't go in. But I wanted to! The line was very, very long and sure didn't move very quickly.
The granite Monument to the People's Heroes is in the center of the square. Built in 1952 it is the largest monument in China's history. Chairman Mao wrote the words engraved on it, "The People's Heroes are immortal." It portrays unusually large figures engraved into the granite as show the development of modern China.


We walked by the Totem pole with the dragons and Phoenixes on it and there was a guy that had his arm raised and was shouting; getting people's attention. I didn't know what he was saying, but his body language certainly suggested he was praising and hailing Mao.
Mao's picture hangs where all can see it. You get into this line made up of hundreds of people. (truly amazing, we were always in a line anywhere we went. Just a lot of people)

We crossed the bridge,

And went through the entrance to The Forbidden City!