This is the famous "gate" leading from Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City (only the emperors were allowed there).
This was the "marriage tree" inside of the Forbidden City. Apparently very old and is still living. It appears to be two roots growing into one tree trunk. How very fitting with our visit!
Detail from a rooftop. This was taken with a zoom from 10 or 20 feet away.
Detail from a door...
Really, really old bronze sculpture..
Just thought he was cute. Again, very, very old. Nothing in US is as old as any of this stuff!
Very old and ornate. Don't know what it's for! I'm sure there was a sign @#$%
One of the courtyards. Apparently, the side buildings housed 3000 "wives" of the emperor.
This was very pretty and intricate.
Karen and Duane overlooking Tiananmen Square.
Next we went to the "Hutong Area" for a tour. Here we are exiting our "rickshaw". Duane was not particularly pleased with this venture. Our "driver" must have some really powerful legs...there were several starts and stops on a hill. I felt bad! I don't care if he was being paid!
We were taken on a tour of the "hutongs". You read about this in the guide books....ugh...this is pretty awful. We were just waiting for this to be over - can't imagine why anyone would want to see this! Really strange tourist industry - show the crazy Americans your dump!
I do understand that they are showing a way of life that is apparently being overtaken by the blossoming economy of Beijing. Okie Dokie!
Gold fish in a bowl. Don't know if they were dinner tonight or what. Can't imagine they'd make it long in the sun like that....
Finished the day at a market....footsies were tired!!
Detail from a rooftop. This was taken with a zoom from 10 or 20 feet away.
Detail from a door...
Really, really old bronze sculpture..
Just thought he was cute. Again, very, very old. Nothing in US is as old as any of this stuff!
Very old and ornate. Don't know what it's for! I'm sure there was a sign @#$%
One of the courtyards. Apparently, the side buildings housed 3000 "wives" of the emperor.
This was very pretty and intricate.
Karen and Duane overlooking Tiananmen Square.
Next we went to the "Hutong Area" for a tour. Here we are exiting our "rickshaw". Duane was not particularly pleased with this venture. Our "driver" must have some really powerful legs...there were several starts and stops on a hill. I felt bad! I don't care if he was being paid!
We were taken on a tour of the "hutongs". You read about this in the guide books....ugh...this is pretty awful. We were just waiting for this to be over - can't imagine why anyone would want to see this! Really strange tourist industry - show the crazy Americans your dump!
I do understand that they are showing a way of life that is apparently being overtaken by the blossoming economy of Beijing. Okie Dokie!
Gold fish in a bowl. Don't know if they were dinner tonight or what. Can't imagine they'd make it long in the sun like that....
Finished the day at a market....footsies were tired!!
1 comment:
The architecture is pretty amazing...
Love,
T
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