Tree Fossil at Bei Hai Park, Beijing, China. March, 2005
Bei Hai park costs just
5 Yuan to enter
, and is just to the northwest of
the Forbidden City. There are lots of amazing exhibits in the park, but don't waste
the 20 Yuan to climb to the top of Jade Island next to the white Pagoda since you can
get onto Jade Island and climb up right next to the white Pagoda. The 20 Yuan just allows
you access up a short flight of steps to a small temple building beside the White Pagoda
that gives you a view of the Forbidden city, but a better view can be seen from Jingshan
Park right next door.
Confucius Temple, Beijing, China. March, 2005
The Confucius Temple is a hidden gem just a block west of the more popular Lama Buddhist Temple.
Various emperors placed their writings about Confucius on large blocks set on the back of Turtle-Dragons.
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Beijing, China. March, 2005
This small temple is just behind (north of) the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), and may have been the
last stop for the Emperor and his entourage as they made their annual prayers to the Gods for good
harvests in their procession from south to north.
The Northwest Corner of the Forbidden City with moat, Beijing, China. March, 2005
One of the most beautiful sights of the Forbidden City was from the outside. A large part of
the Forbidden City (front part) can be entered without charge. Near the inner compound where
the 40 Yuan entrance fee is collected, you can exit through gates going west, and this leads to
a view of the south section of the moat with a road that wraps around to allow you a view of
the western wall
A piece of treasure in the Imperial Museum of the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. March, 2005
The Forbidden City is more properly called the Imperial Museum, and among its 9000 rooms, many
of the treasures of the Emperors and their families are housed, also some of the large pieces are treasure were
moved to Taiwan during the Civil Revolution. In addition to the
40 Yuan entry fee to enter the Forbidden City, there is a charge of
10 Yuan to enter the wing on the northeast corner of the Forbbiden City
which contains the Art Treasures as well as the
Wall of Nine Dragons.
