The Lone Photographer

Although it looked sort of crowded when we first stepped into the courtyard, it actually didn't feel so busy at all. I think that it was just that a lot of people got bottlenecked at the gateЧитать далее
The Guardian

Chinese or Imperial guardian lions are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament. Typically made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi.
A Look Back

Here's a look back at the gate that we passed through. I'm not only amazed by the size of the buildings and the courtyard but also by how clean everything is here. I don't see anything at all on theЧитать далее
The Big Picture

Here's a very wide panoramic view of the Forbidden City. I took this shot to show just how big and open this place really is. I don't think that I really succeeded though. The Forbidden City felt soЧитать далее
Going Up

Everything here is so elaborate and ornate! This is the handrail of a short staircase and yet it's still so decorated. It's amazing that all of these things are handmade! People were such talentedЧитать далее
The Imperial Palace

I think that a slightly elevated viewpoint gives me a better view of the Imperial Palace. From here, it looks a lot more crowded. It's always a good idea to try getting your shot from a variety ofЧитать далее
Approaching the Palace

I'm on the path leading up to the palace in the Forbidden City. Right now, I feel like I'm stepping back into history. I how many emperors of ancient China walked this same path that I am on now? TheЧитать далее
Little Details

I feel like I'm the only one who's noticing all of the little details like this dragon head carving. I can't believe that everyone is just walking on by without seeing these things. As for me, I'mЧитать далее
A Great View

I'm glad that there are places here to climb up and get an elevated view. Sometimes a different perspective can change the whole look of a place. I'm glad that I can get so many different sorts ofЧитать далее
May I Enter?

We're approaching the Imperial Palace now. I'd love to go inside and take a look around but I'm not sure if that's allowed. Even if I can't actually enter the palace, I'm still feeling very happy, andЧитать далее
Approaching the Palace

It's such an amazing feeling to be walking in such a historical place! I wonder how many of the other people in our tour group are feeling the same way I am? A lot of them look sort of interested butЧитать далее
A Peek Inside

People aren't allowed inside the Imperial Palace, which doesn't surprise me at all. Actually, I'd be shocked if they were letting people wander around in there. The doors were open, giving everyone aЧитать далее
Colorful Details

These details look very similar to what I've seen at the China Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase at Walt Disney World. All of the architecture in Epcot is just an imitation though. This is the realЧитать далее
Rooftops

I've always loved this sort of classic Chinese architecture. It's so much nicer than the boxy looking buildings that we have back home. I wonder what it would be like to live in a building like this?
On the Roof

Here's a closer look at the rooftops of the Imperial Palace. Not only is the architecture amazing but I really like the carvings scattered over the roof. They look to be mostly dragons but I'm goingЧитать далее
Roof Charms

These Chinese imperial roof decorations, often called roof charms, roof-figures or crouching beasts, are statuettes placed along the ridge line of official buildings of the Chinese empire. OnlyЧитать далее
Rooptop Details

The roof shape of the Forbidden City's most important buildings had special significance. Double-eve hip roofs were the classiest roofs in the empire, reserved for only the top imperial buildings.
A Splash of Color

Except for red and yellow most of the Forbidden City may seem drab but, if you look around, you can actually find a lot of color, much of it very bright and vibrant. This is some of the trimmingsЧитать далее
Symmetry

I've seen so much of the Forbidden City and I'm still mesmerized by the attention to detail and symmetry that went into building this palace. It's a shame that, at the time it was built, it was onlyЧитать далее
Feeling Brassy

As breathtaking as all the elaborate buildings in Beijing's Forbidden City are, don't forget to look around and appreciate the little details that are everywhere you look. This brass pot, forЧитать далее
Forbidden City Facts

The Forbidden City took only 14 years to build (from 1406 to 1420). It was built by over 1,000,000 workers, including more than 100,000 craftsmen.
Bronze Lions

The entrance to the Hall of Supreme Harmony is flanked by two bronze lions sitting on blocks of white marble. They are the guardians of the main Hall. A male lion is on the right side, with a femaleЧитать далее
Seeing It All

Everyone in our tour group, including me, is busy taking pictures and trying to look everywhere at once. We all look amazed by what we're seeing! Such tourists! Hahaha!!
Patterns

Always take the time to really look at the things around you. I was the only person in the Forbidden City who stopped and took pictures of these windows. Everyone else just walked on by, not reallyЧитать далее
Imperial Dragons

Due to its cultural significance and unique beauty, the Forbidden City is extremely popular with both Chinese and foreign tourists. The palace museum boasts 14 million visitors annually, more thanЧитать далее