Forbidden City (故宫), Beijing

   [ 2 January, 2007 / 65 images ]

The view outside our room at the St Regis! The view outside our room at the St Regis!
The glass box on the left houses the swimming pool The glass box on the left houses the swimming pool
Looking west towards the heart of Beijing Looking west towards the heart of Beijing
Merry Christmas from China! Merry Christmas from China!
Outside the East Glorious Gate of the Forbidden City Outside the East Glorious Gate of the Forbidden City
East side of the Meridian Gate viewed from the outside East side of the Meridian Gate viewed from the outside
The 52m/170ft-wide Moat surrounding the Forbidden City The 52m/170ft-wide Moat surrounding the Forbidden City
The Meridian Gate (午门) - southern and largest gate The Meridian Gate (午门) - southern and largest gate
Zhendumen (贞度门) to the west... Zhendumen (贞度门) to the west...
Golden Water River Bridges Golden Water River Bridges
Zhaodemen (昭德门) to the east... Zhaodemen (昭德门) to the east...
The scaffolded Gate of Supreme Harmony (太和门)... bummer The scaffolded Gate of Supreme Harmony (太和门)... bummer
Yellow-tiled roofs to symbolize the Emperor's colors Yellow-tiled roofs to symbolize the Emperor's colors
WTF?? The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) is scaffolded too, grr... WTF?? The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) is scaffolded too, grr...
Gorgeous colors Gorgeous colors
The snow makes it all the more beautiful The snow makes it all the more beautiful
Gold roofs and red pillars everywhere Gold roofs and red pillars everywhere
Amazing three-layered, bas-relief stone carvings at the base of the Hall of Supreme Harmony Amazing three-layered, bas-relief stone carvings at the base of the Hall of Supreme Harmony
Running around the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square like The Last Emperor Running around the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square like The Last Emperor
The beautiful Pavilion of Spreading Righteousness The beautiful Pavilion of Spreading Righteousness
Zhongyoumen... Errr, Middle Right Gate? Zhongyoumen... Errr, Middle Right Gate?
Look at all that marble! Look at all that marble!
A glimpse of the White Dagoba of Beihai Park A glimpse of the White Dagoba of Beihai Park
It doesn't look like it's almost 600 years old, does it? It doesn't look like it's almost 600 years old, does it?
The Outer Court stands on a three-tiered white marble base The Outer Court stands on a three-tiered white marble base
The throne in the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿) The throne in the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿)
The snow “purifies” the white marble terrace The snow “purifies” the white marble terrace
What a beautiful day! What a beautiful day!
Hilltop pagodas on Jing Shan (景山) north of the Forbidden City Hilltop pagodas on Jing Shan (景山) north of the Forbidden City
Snow and marble terraces and palaces, oh my! Snow and marble terraces and palaces, oh my!
Beautifully carved banisters Beautifully carved banisters
I *think* this is the largest single piece of stone carving in China (54ft x 10ft, 220 tons!) I *think* this is the largest single piece of stone carving in China (54ft x 10ft, 220 tons!)
Giant bronze urns line the walls to the Inner Court Giant bronze urns line the walls to the Inner Court
Gilded bronze guard lions in front of the Gate of Heavenly Purity (乾清门) Gilded bronze guard lions in front of the Gate of Heavenly Purity (乾清门)
I have no idea why Tony is squinting so much, LOL I have no idea why Tony is squinting so much, LOL
The ubiquitous 9-by-9 array of golden knobs on all the doors The ubiquitous 9-by-9 array of golden knobs on all the doors
Looking back at the Hall of Preserving Harmony Looking back at the Hall of Preserving Harmony
The Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫)! The Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫)!
This was the Emperor's reisdence during the Ming Dynasty This was the Emperor's reisdence during the Ming Dynasty
I have no idea why there are turtles... I have no idea why there are turtles...
...and the crane? ...and the crane?
“Justice and Honor” hangs above the Emperor's throne “Justice and Honor” hangs above the Emperor's throne
Ooh, beautiful multi-color tiled banisters Ooh, beautiful multi-color tiled banisters
Umm, I think this is the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (坤宁宫)... Umm, I think this is the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (坤宁宫)...
During the Qing Dynasty, this was used as the wedding ceremonial room (double happiness!) During the Qing Dynasty, this was used as the wedding ceremonial room (double happiness!)
Reflections... Reflections...
Gorgeous detailing on the roofs Gorgeous detailing on the roofs
Roaming through the Imperial Gardens Roaming through the Imperial Gardens
Lions bronzed in snow Lions bronzed in snow
The sun is out! Can you believe it?? The sun is out! Can you believe it??
Endless red-walled corridors... Endless red-walled corridors...
The walls are 26-feet high! The walls are 26-feet high!
Beautiful corner towers with intricate roofs boasting 72 ridges Beautiful corner towers with intricate roofs boasting 72 ridges
Picture perfect Picture perfect
The northern entrance -- Gate of Divine Might (神武门) The northern entrance -- Gate of Divine Might (神武门)
Frozen over outer moat with snow on top -- PERFECT! Frozen over outer moat with snow on top -- PERFECT!
Long walk up this artificial hill! Long walk up this artificial hill!
Beautiful pagodas at the top Beautiful pagodas at the top
On top of Jing Shan (Prospect Hill) On top of Jing Shan (Prospect Hill)
Looking north towards the Bell and Drum Towers Looking north towards the Bell and Drum Towers
Looking east towards the high-rises of Beijing Looking east towards the high-rises of Beijing
Looking west towards Beihai Park and the frozen lake Looking west towards Beihai Park and the frozen lake
One of the four corner towers of the Forbidden City One of the four corner towers of the Forbidden City
And finally, looking south over the Forbidden City! And finally, looking south over the Forbidden City!
Snow-covered golden roofs with The Egg in the background Snow-covered golden roofs with The Egg in the background