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Today we are off to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. We have to get off the bus and cross a couple of streets, which is always an adventure. Dino holds the large flag today, because we are going to be in a sea of group flags. This is the pagoda on the south end of Tiananmen Square.
Mao's mausoleum in Tiananmen Square. It was being renovated, so we didn't get to go in and see Mao.
The tomb of the unknown soldier.
It's hot out. Keep that sun off your face.
The gate at the north end of the square and the south end of the Forbidden City.
Angle-on to the gate, showing the fountains.
It was an off-day, so it wasn't as crowded as normal.
I'm pretty sure that Mao never lived in the Forbidden City, so I'm not sure why his picture is mounted over the gate.
You go through one gate, and into a plaza, and on and on.
And through another gate, and another plaza.
Get those water bottles, and use them to cool off.
This is the main square.
Here is the map of the Forbidden City. We started at the bottom and we are moving north (up). We are only half way into the complex.
There is a lot of renovation going on in preparation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
These large pots were filled with water to enhance the Feng Shui of the complex.
Darrolyn got lost and had to call back to Dino, so we met her at the golden pot. They were all gold-plated at one time, but the conquering hordes scraped off most of it.
The classic detail designs on the structures.
The protective animals on all the roof corners.
This is the emperor's chair. One whole building is devoted to this. Another whole building is for his desk. Another whole building is for his bed. That is why the complex is so ridiculously large.