CHINA - Beijing -- October 9, 2013

---

Tiananmen Square -- Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square, the world's largest square (you have little idea how huge it is until you visit.) Lots of people, a huge monument to people who fought for China against foreigners going back to the Boxer Revolt, two of the largest screens displaying scenes of China, the largest basket of Flowers, statues, the mausoleum of Chairman Mao, etc. Across from Tiananmen Square is the entrance to the Forbidden City, the former home of the Chinese Emperors. Again it is large over 250 acres, it was home to 24 Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The front portion of the City was for administration and public display, as one enters the size of the squares and buildings are large and were intended to impress.

Behind these structures was the living area for the Emperor, his family, the concubines and the eunuchs that were the servants for the Emperor and his family. At one time there were over 3,000 eunuchs. (Ouch). Our group was granted special access to the Chonqjin Hua Palace or Palace of Double Glory, built in 1727 for Emperor Quinlong. The architecture and furnishing remain as they were when it was occupied in the mid -18th century. Really it was not that large.

---

Photos

Tiananmen Square
Interesting no matter how old Chairman Mao was he stayed the same in his pictures

Forbidden City
This was the public entrance to the Forbidden City

Forbidden City
The number of figures at the corner of a building indicated it importance

DSC09784
The temples in the distance give some idea of the air pollution in Beijing

Comments

[PamB]

Fantastic pictures!
I'm not so good navigating this blog, and so far I just see Tianamen and Forbidden City, but what I see is great! I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of it. I've got a lot more time on my hands as my Cuba tours were cut short due to a car accident - I am fine, but have a broken arm so they sent me back to the States for medical treatment. SO - I am really looking forward to reading the rest of your blog! ox, Pam

[Morgan Mare]

China
Hi Pam, I had some real problems uploading pictures when I came home and am using a round-about way to do so. It took me some time to figure out this way, so I am late starting my blog. Stay tuned there is a lot more to come. Morgan