Monday, April 21, 2008

Forbidden City Nightfall, Beijing

Mao looms large over the Forbidden City in Beijing. He also makes a strong appearance on every denomination of Yuan bills. The people's feelings about Mao seemed more sentimental and gentle to me than fearful or worshipful, though I didn't have a chance to ask many people about this.

The Forbidden City is closed at night but this scene was a very popular place to "hang out" and after dark this part of the street, opposite Tiananmen Square, was alive with strolling visitors to the heart of Biejing.

Forbidden City Guard, China


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Originally uploaded by JoeDuck
An armored Lioness plays with her cub and guards one of the buildings in the Forbidden City, Beijing's amazing historic palace grounds opposite Tiananmen Square. Many Dynasties lived, loved and died inside the massive walls of the city in the heart of Beijing. The last emperor lived here until he was deposed by the nationalists under Sun Yat Sen, the father of modern China. Fanciful bronze creatures like this lion with her mate on the opposite side of the stairway were common inside the palace grounds.