Being a Tourist in Beijing!

Our Hotel



Along our walk to The Forbidden City.


Finally... The Forbidden City!! No common people were allowed here previous to 1920, thus Forbidden!

The front gates.

The Courtyard.

The center line through Beijing... dividing East from West.


Incense was burned in these funny things.

Newly repainted for the Olympics in 2008

Such detail...




See the little critters' heads sticking out from the sides? When there is a lot of rain the water drains through these dragon mouths and create a fountain below.

The critters on the roof.

One of the Thrones.

This was not walked on, instead the Emperor was carried above this slab of marble, the soldiers carrying him would climb the stairs and he would ride over the carvings.

These Huge pots were for water storage. There were many fires since the main interior is made from wood, they would dip water to put out fires! There are 318 of them throughout the Palace.


The detail on the roof!



The He Lion protecting the entrance to the Emperor's home within the palace. The male lion is always on the Left side with his paw on a ball suggesting power.

The Lioness has her paw on a cub representing motherhood.

Another incense burner.

A three hundred year old tree in the garden.


Tienanmen Square, where so many famous things happened!


A cool bicycle, i thought the boys would like to see.

The Silk factory.

The silk worm cocoons. They gave us each one to bring home.

The difference in size of the same amount of money!

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