07.09.08
JINGSHAN PARK
FORBIDDEN CITY
WANGFUJIN STREET
TIANANMEN SQUARE
Our day began by riding the 471 to the subway. We purchased metro cards. They basically cost 20rmb which you get back when you return them. The transport cards are the way to go. The subway costs the same – a flat 2rmb ($0.29) – no matter where you travel, but by using the transport card the bus goes from 1rmb to 4mao. People – that’s just 6 cents.
Since Beijing has quite a park culture, we began our day at Jingshan Park. If you get there in the morning, you can see Beijingers practicing their erhu or tai chi and playing chess.
Nai Nai gets some morning exercise.
This erhu and pipa band were playing ancient operas on demand.
Nai Nai sings along.
Meanwhile, we made our way up Jingshan Park for the best view of the Forbidden City. Schäfer loves stairs and insists on going up them himself. Hmmm…I guess we taught him that since it’s easier for him to walk up to our 5th floor apartment.
Due to pollution, our view of the Forbidden City was not quite the same as what the ancients enjoyed, but we can’t let the uncontrollable stop our excitement.
Yes, I believe that is 800 buildings + 9000 chambers.
On our way down, Schäfer made friends with this big sister and he insisted that she carry him. Now who’s getting imperial?
Once we finished our leisurely stroll through the park, we entered the north end of The Forbidden City. It is massive, but the price is not so bad. It’s 60rmb ($8.95) for a normal ticket and 20rmb ($2.98) for a student ticket. Oh yes, we did flash those student ID cards.
Construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406. During it’s 500 year history, it housed 24 emperors. Thankfully, in 1949 the Forbidden City was open to us common folk. Otherwise, we’d all be at Jingshan Park with binoculars.
To welcome the Olympic guests, much of the Forbidden City has received a fresh stroke of paint.
This paint isn’t just slapped on either. Each window had to be hand painted. The details in the ceilings were all hand painted…times 800 buildings + 9000 chambers.
I loved all the details in the designs.
A large doorknob on a door about 12 feet high.
Ornate tiles were abundant.
Not every room in the Forbidden City was open to the public. Now you can truly enjoy something forbidden in the Forbidden City.
Another addition to the renovation is the netting which has been placed over the ornate ceilings. Hubs thinks they are forbidding birds from nesting there.
We saw this scene: roof upon roof upon roof 9000 times.
The Forbidden City: a dog eats dog kind of place.
Each chamber has this traditional raised entry way. I’ve heard in ancient times, these doorways were to keep the ghosts from entering. Schäfer particularly enjoyed them.
Schäfer also found these big cauldrons of water fascinating.
Oh the relics. There is much to see. Hubs enjoyed these large chops.
There were many ancient jewels.
These are ancient head dresses for special occasions.
More things forbidden!
Did someone really lock this up, then seal it with their chop and cell phone number?
Inquiring minds want to know!
A sneak peak at what’s forbidden.
Some of the chambers have not been painted. The wood carvings are also beautiful.
The main hall where the emperor would receive guests.
Look! Three Tang Dynasty Empresses out among the commoners.
Another throne.
Pagodas upon pagodas upon pagodas…all hand painted.
The far pagoda in the back is in Jingshan Park – where we took our panoramic.
Another throne for the Emperor.
If you came to China expecting to see bamboo, tiled roofs and pagodas – you’d better head straight to the Forbidden City.
This hall was under renovation. I’m sure they’ll have it finished by 08.08.08.
Yes, I believe that was 800 rooms + 9000 chambers.
So long Forbidden City.
Since we entered from Jingshan Park which is the north, we exited from the south taking us straight through the Tiananmen Gate which hosts Chairman Mao’s portrait.
Upon our exit, we were greeted by these city patrollers. We do feel quite safe.
While at the Tiananmen Gate, we decided that we needed some fuel before we could wander Tiananmen square.
We hopped on a bus (because they are so convenient) and rode one long city block to Wangfujin Street.
There we found the Oriental Plaza mall which led us to the Sizzler. Yes, a 37rmb ($5.45) salad bar would do the trick.
All you can eat salad bar. Yum! A rare treat!
You guys look like you just walked through 800 rooms + 9000 chambers.
After our hearty meal, we headed over to the Wangfujin bookstore which was pretty packed. We didn’t see anything new so we made our way to China’s first official Olympic store.
Schäfer finds the FuWa!
Hello JingJing!
After a nice break, we took a bus back to Tiananmen Square. When you are standing in the square, across the street is Tiananmen Gate. Through that gate is the Forbidden City.
Tiananmen square on a hazy day.
The crowds were already forming for the 7:40pm flag ceremony. After a long day of 800 rooms + 9000 chambers – not to mention at least 3 trips to the salad bar, we began making our way back to the apartment.
Wow. Today was everything we expected and more.
What beautiful photos, thank you so much for sharing them! It looks just like I would imagine, except even prettier. The photos of the Olympic Store – love the giant FuWa! – were great, too.
I never tire of reading about your adventures and the sites of Beijing… I cannot wait for our turn to go to China and let’s hope that it is soon… just looking at the photos of the forbidden city… ohhh… I am ready to go…
Wow, what an incredible tour! Thank you for sharing your amazing day with us! I loved the little peeks of the “extra forbidden”. I love the photo of the fish and lily pads.