T-Square. Tiananmen Square is the
largest public square in the world. The Monument to
the People's Heroes is on the right, and
the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the entrance to the
Forbidden City, is in the center in back.
(photo by Lyle)
Forbidden City. Sight of the palaces
of the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1421 to 1924, the
Forbidden City is the work of one million
laborers. It was crowded during May Holiday. (photo by Aaron)
Elaborate Architecture. Near
all of the structures in the Forbidden City
have glazed rooftops and uplifted eaves.
(photo by Aaron)
Details, Details, Details. Finely
crafted handiwork is everywhere, such as in this
wooden ceiling. The red columns are wood.
(photo by Aaron)
Old Summer Palace. British and French
troops leveled parts of this palace in 1860 to punish
China during the Opium Wars. The ruins
are open to explore. (photo by Aaron)
Dragon Heads. Marble sculptures in the Old Summer Palace lay prone. (photo by Aaron)
More Ruins. Extensive waterways
make the Old Summer Palace as beautiful as
the more popular Summer Palace. (photo
by Aaron)
Catholic Church. Beautifully illuminated
at night, a cathedral testifies to the presence
of Christianity in Communist China. (photo
by Lyle)
Acrobat Show. Chinese acrobatic
shows travel around the world. We had
the opportunity to see a group perform
on their home stage. (photo by Alyssa)
American Presence. Pizza Hut, as
well as McDonalds, Baskin-Robins, Subway, and
so forth serve hungry people in China's
capital city. (photo by Aaron)