Currently Playing: Fireflies - Owl City
Right in the heart of Beijing lies the Tiananmen and Forbidden City (Gugong, as the locals call it). The whole city is practically built around the two landmarks, with the main roads forming concentric circles starting from the 1st Ring Road (Yihuan) to the 6th Ring Road (Liuhuan).
The huge portrait of chairman Mao is signature to the Tiananmen.
View of Tiananmen Square - Elaborate military flag raising and lowering ceremonies that literally stop traffic take place each day with respect to the time at which the sun rises and sets.
Intricate beams of the roof supports inside the Tiananmen.
The Duanmen (Upright Gate) is one of the main gates leading into the palace:
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is where the emperor handles the day to day affairs of the imperial court, and is what most people would remember from Chinese dramas such as Huanzhu Gege:
The huge opening between the Gate of Supreme Harmony and Hall of Supreme Harmony is stone paved, and it appears that a part of it has been restored to ease of walking for visitors:
The old and new stone pavement.
Other similarly designed halls surround the main hall.
The interior of the hall is actually much smaller than what the hall appears to be on the outside. It certainly didn't look like it could fit the many ministers and officials that the TV dramas depict.
The writings above the throne (Zheng Da Guang Ming) are by emperor Qianlong, and it is said that the heir to next ascend the throne will be written down and hidden in a concealed space behind the writings by the currently reigning emperor. Only when he passes away will the next emperor be named.
The Hall of Complete Harmony is situated right behind the main hall - It's the place where the emperor prepares himself for appearing in the main hall:
This pavilion may be small on the outside...
... But it really feels more welcoming and spacious than the main hall!
It's interesting to note that the roofs of the halls in the palace have carvings of creatures at each corner - They are said to be able to fend off evil:
Besides taking in all of the rich history presented in the form of the grand structures, there were also a couple of things we made up through direct inference from what we saw, just for laughs!
... That the imperial palace basically contained a cashless society where its occupants withdrew ingots from ATMs...
... And the imperial palace was made possible with loans granted from the American Express bank?! =O
Time flew, and soon it was sunset.
Last capture of the majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony before we leave:
And a 'We were here' shot!
There's nothing like comfort food back at a Malaysian eatery at Huixinxijie Nankou, a few streets away from our hotel:
Curry chicken and vegetables rice with blachan chilli!
And the very tender mutton curry with rice!
