The Summer Palace

 

Constructed in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), during the succeeding reign of feudal emperors; it was extended continuously. By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it had become a luxurious royal garden providing royal families with rest and entertainment. Situated in the western outskirts of Haidian District, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers from central Beijing.

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

 

Located in the Forbidden City, this palace was used for sacrifices of animals and other food to the gods. It was also used as sleeping quarters for the Empress at certain periods in its history.

The Forbidden City

 

View of the Forbidden City from the Temple of heaven.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony

 

The Forbidden City is so called because it was the residence of the Emperor and thus access was forbidden to commoners. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest structure, and rises some 30 metres above the level of the surrounding square. It is the ceremonial centre of imperial power, and the largest surviving wooden structure in China. It is nine bays wide and five bays deep, the numbers nine and five being symbolically connected to the majesty of the Emperor. The six pillars nearest the imperial throne are covered with gold, and the entire area is decorated with a dragon motif. The imperial throne, in particular, has five dragons coiled around the back and handrests. The screen behind it features sets of nine dragons, again reflecting the "nine-five" symbolism.

Looking Down from the Top

 

Looking down to the bottom of this particular section of the wall makes one reflect on the unbelievable scope of the job of construction of just a small portion of the Great Wall of China.

Badaling Gate

 

1700 steps to the top at the far right of the picture. Tough going in the 34C heat!

The Great Wall of China

 

The Great Wall is one of the world's longest human-made structures, stretching over approximately 6,400 km from Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. It is also the largest human-made structure ever built in terms of surface area and mass. This is a view from the Badaling Gate area.

Empress' Headdress

 

This headdress was worn by an empress during the Ming Dynasty and forms part of an exhibition of period clothing and royal articles inside the Ming Tombs.

The Sacred Walk - Ming Tombs

 

This is the gate at the start of the sacred walk leading to the tombs.

The Ming Tombs

 

Located about 50 km. north of Beijing, 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors were buried in this area. The site of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs was carefully chosen according to Feng Shui principles. According to these, bad spirits and evil winds descending from the North must be deflected; therefore, an arc-shaped area at the foot of the Jundu Mountains north of Beijing was selected. This 40 square kilometer area - enclosed by the mountains in a pristine, quiet valley full of dark earth, tranquil water and other necessities as per Feng Shui - would become the necropolis of the Ming Dynasty.

The National Museum of China

 

Located along the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, it is the merger of two museums formerly separate buildings on the same site: the Museum of the Chinese Revolution in the northern wing, and the National Museum of Chinese History in the southern wing. In front is a countdown clock to the Beijing Olympics. It was unfortunately closed for renovations while I was there, as was the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong.

The South Gate - Tiananmen Square

 

Called Zhengyangmen gate. As dictated by tradition, the Emperor would dismount from his horse to walk through this gate.

Flagpole in Tainanmen Square

 

The huge flag of China is raised and lowered daily at surise and sunset and is usuallly viewed by several thousand people. It is claimed that as many as 250,000 people have crowded the square to view the flag ceremony. Chairman Mao pushed a button at the north gate the first time it was raised, but now it is raised and lowered manually by soldiers.

Gate to the Forbidden City

 

Standing at the base of the flagpole, we see the north gate of Tiananmen Square leading to the Forbidden City, overlooked by a portrait of Chairman Mao.

Tiananmen Square

 

Here we see the Monument to the People's Heroes in the middle of the square. Originally built in 1417, the square is 440,000 square meters in area and is the largest open-urban square in the world.

Temple in Suzhou

 

This temple is an interesting landmark in the shopping district of Suzhou.

Sarah and Anthony in Souzhou

 

Went shopping with some friends in Suzhou. Bought jeans using Anthony's excellent negotiating skills for bargaining.

Pagoda in Shenzhen

 

This pagoda is on a hill near the Parkview Hotel.