2. 2009

Beijing, China

Stepping foot on Chinese soil sort of sinks in how big this trip really is. We spent several days in Beijing visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and a number of other places and things.
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Ancient China meets the smog of the modern metropolis.
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Ancient China meets the smog of the modern metropolis.

BeijingChina2009Forbidden City

  • The forbidden city's massive gates are studded with shiny brass, standing open here to welcome the many visitors.
  • A gentle stream flows through a courtyard in the forbidden city.
  • Massive walls surround this city within a city with equally massive tunnels granting the only means of ingress.
  • Intricate paint jobs decorate the beams and rafters constructing this massive palace.
  • Intricate paint jobs decorate the beams and rafters constructing this massive palace.
  • Winter weather freezes a thin layer of ice on the stream in the Forbidden City's front courtyard.
  • Relics from times long past are preserved in the Forbidden City, which has now become the Palace Museum.
  • A distant rooftop stands reflected in a grated window on one of the many decorated walls.
  • One of several massive courtyards within the huge complex that is the Forbidden City.
  • Ancient weaponry sits on display in one of the many rooms of the palace.
  • A rounded rooftop lets in a little light through grated windows high overhead.
  • The staircase to the Emperor's throne room is composed of intricately decorated marble blocks, worn smoother over time.
  • A distant temple stands on a hill overlooking the rooftops of the Forbidden City.
  • Sunlight brightens the golden artwork decorating the rooftops of the palace.
  • Ancient China meets the smog of the modern metropolis.
  • The Emporer's throne at the Forbidden City.
  • Wooden lattice shutters close off the windows of the palace.
  • Tracy wanders down the stairway that once led to the royal Emperor's throne room, a place where we would have been unconditionally denied access in earlier times.
  • Lines of steps lead visitors up to the throne room at the Forbidden City.
  • A sloppy stitching job bends the palace's throne room in this panorama, but at this point in my photo editing I didn't want to do it again, so it's stuck like this at least for now.
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