Beijing ~ Day 1

We spent the afternoon learning about the Forbidden City.  The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.  Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms.

This is the Gate of Divine Might, the northern gate. The inscription reads "The Palace Museum"

This is the same spot that the Emperor and his wife stood on their wedding day, so we were told. ;)  It is two trees that have grown together.

Only the Forbidden City has gold roofs.  Also, the Emperor only stayed in the buildings that has 12 animals on the roofs ridge.  He also never slept in the same room two nights in a row, for his safety. 

The lower roof is on the Hall of Supreme Harmony.



The throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

There were three walkways/stairs in many places we went in the Forbidden City.  We never used the middle one.  It is for "The God of Heaven", only.

This 4 star restroom is misleading...no western style toilets.  NOT 4 star!!  We waited.

The throne in the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Of course we had to get our picture taken with Chairman Mao.

After the Forbidden City we went to Tiananmen Square.  It is directly across the street, a very busy street, from the Forbidden City.  It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of about 109 acres, and able to accommodate 1,000,000 people at one time.

We asked out guide, Lisa, about the protests that were here.  She acted like there was no such thing.  We all knew better.

Monument to the People's Heros.

Great Hall of the People

We then went to a martial arts show at the Red Theatre.  Crazy name I know. ;)

It was a full day with more information that I can remember.  Good thing I took lots and lots of pictures to help jog my memory.