This is the actual entrance to the Forbidden City. There are three gates to pass through before you even get in. The first gate is Tiananmen (gate of heavenly peace) this is the one which faces the square and has Mao's picture on it. There are of course tons of people queuing and milling about to get into the Forbidden City. Most of them are Chinese tourists.The increased prosperity of the people has given them the opportunity to travel and see their country.
People milling about in between the main gate and the middle gate. There are of course tons of vendors and hawkers selling postcards, buttons, stamps, slices of melon on sticks, popsicles, and frozen bottled water.
A close up of one of the towers. I didn't actually go in the palace, I'm sure when people come to visit me they will want to go so I can go see it with them. (hint hint)
You can see all the people sitting down in the shade of the gate and inside of it. It is over 90 and very humid. August is the most popular and the worst time to visit Beijing, heat and humidity wise. Also most of August falls during the Ghost Month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. There is a list of things not to do during the Ghost Month, one of which is travel. No wonder.
A view of the moat and side of the gate.
1 comment:
Great pictures. I'm sure you'll get your chance to visit The Forbidden City with loving relatives and friends. 8-)
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