China - Forbidden City

Imperial Garden

Steve and Craig have both been to China on business and they want to show off the highlights to the rest of us.  Beijing is less than 4 hours away, so it's an easy trip to make from Tokyo.  The flight over on Japan Airlines is great - we even get a meal in coach.  (Side note: a few weeks later Steve flew them to Germany and said it was the best coach seat he'd ever been in.)

My first view of the Forbidden City...not so forbidden anymore!

Nice art work!

We land, our driver is waiting, and we're off to the hotel.  By mid-afternoon we're all checked in and ready to so see some sights.  It's an easy walk to the Forbidden City. (Why do I always want to say Forbidden Palace?)  We're able to get audio guides (love them!) so we learn some history and details about the domain.  For example, the animals decorating the roofs were only allowed on official buildings, and the number of animals indicated how important the building was.  Only at the Imperial Palace were they allowed as many as twelve creatures.

There are statues located throughout the grounds...

I wouldn't want to run into this turtle at the lake.  He looks vicious!

...and lots of gorgeous carvings.  These are open to the elements, and you can see they're wearing away.  I'm amazed they don't do anything to protect them.

I wonder if I can quilt this?

Fighting dragons

Of course, I find many quilting design ideas, too - in the ceilings, the floors, and the windows!

Lots of good ideas, here!

Window "screen"

They even show you how to quilt the border on this one!

It's crowded, but not too bad...

Forbidden City selfie!

...and certain parts aren't crowded at all (the audio guide doesn't have much to say about the outbuildings, plus they all start to look the same).

Not so crowded.

The best part is the Imperial Gardens.  It's not your typical garden, and it's gorgeous!  It was built around 1417, so it's had some time to develop.

This rocks!  (ha, ha)

There are rock formations scattered throughout the area, breaking up your view and forming little nooks.  Who knew looking at rocks could be so interesting?

Even the walkways are embellished.  

Scary bat

Pumpkin vine

The caverns and arches formed by the rocks and trees encourage lots of picture taking.

These trees are over 400 years old.

Steve, you can only do that pose in Japan.

Family photo!

Do you think they allow rock climbing here?