Beijing

Page Down Page Up Back to Thumbnails China Map List China Photos Page 6 of 16
037 Beijing.jpg (39459 bytes) These buildings are 18th century.  Given the Chinese fascination with fireworks and lantern festivals earlier buildings were constantly going up in flames.
Following the conflagrations the buildings were quickly rebuilt to their original design.  Today it stands much as it did 500 years ago. 035Beijing.jpg (39482 bytes)
035aBeijing.jpg (39593 bytes)                        Dogs of Fo

Bronze lion-dogs flank the entrances to the halls.  This male lion has a ball under his paw symbolizing control of the empire, his female counterpart on the other side pins a tiny cub beneath her massive paw symbolizing continuity of empire.
Quiet courtyard within the Forbidden City where some imperial family members would spend their whole lives.  In one such courtyard is the concubines well, in which Dowager Empress Cixi is  reputed to have drowned her nephews favourite concubine. 038beijing.jpg (39473 bytes)
Page Down Page Up Back to Thumbnails China Map List China Photos Page 6 of 16