Beijing – Forbidden City – Beihai Park – Roast Duck

Sunday 6th August 2017
Today we will do our own tour of the Forbidden City (entry 60CNY, Colleen 30CNY).

We called a taxi from the hotel to take us to the Forbidden City and the taxi driver refused to use the meter as he said their would be too much traffic. We had to pay 30CNY or he wouldn’t go there. It was a scam as it was only 2.5km and 5 mins in the taxi and with a meter this would have cost 13CNY. Very annoying but as we wanted to get there early to avid queues and ensure we got in as the ticket numbers are restricted, we had no choice but to pay. This was the first of many trips we paid too much today.

So the Forbidden City was the Chinese Imperial Palace and It served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost 500 years. Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 hectares. It is a very sparse complex with wide open squares and very few trees. There were many Halls and Palaces, courtyards and corridors. After exploring the Forbidden City we then went into the Imperial Garden.The Imperial Garden is located outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility. Constructed in 1417, it is rectangular in shape and covers approximately 12,000 square metres. This was a private retreat for the imperial family and is the most typical of the Chinese imperial garden design. There are some twenty structures, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with the trees, rockeries, flower beds and sculptural objects.The shade in the garden was welcome relief from the heat.

After the garden we headed out of the Forbidden City and we walked to Beihai Park. In the park we took a ride in a boat on the lake. A restful break from the heat and walking. We then left to get a taxi back to the hotel so Helena could get ready to leave for the airport. There were no empty taxis so we were left with no alternative but to pay 100CNY (instead of 13CNY in a taxi) for an electric scooter. This was interesting and probably quicker than a taxi as he weaved in and out of the traffic in which ever lane, our way or the other way, head-on towards buses, etc. A bit of a thrilling ride but we at least got there.

After our rest, we headed out to Tianan’men Square. Unable to get a taxi we walked the 2km and stood around waiting for the change of the guard. We then headed to the Pearl Markets (another 3km and 60CNY for a electric scooter) where we all bagged a bargain.

Then we had taxi drivers fighting for us to pay 100, then 60CNY. we negotiated 20CNY in a black taxi to the Glory Mall for dinner. Then off to Peking Duck Restaurant. This was another culinary experience (275 including drinks).

We then walked back to the hotel to share a little time with Benny before he went to the airport. Well GOODBYE BENNY> Hope to see him again soon,

: People walking in to the Forbidden City

: Queuing to enter the Forbidden City through the security check and bag scanner

: Once inside the Forbidden City the squares and open space was enormous

: Building in the Forbidden City

: Meeting Hall Forbidden City

: Decorative barrier of the railings in the Forbidden City

: Tortoise in Forbidden City. In China the tortoise is sacred and symbolizes longevity, power, and tenacity

: Inside the walls of the Forbidden City

: Inside the Palace in the the tortoise is sacred and symbolizes longevity, power, and tenacity

: Burning stove in the Forbidden City

: Forbidden City

: Plastic art in the Forbidden City

: Burning stoves

: Lion and the entrance of a Palace

: Detail of the lion’s back

: Bronze Wine Vessel

: Bronze Food container

: Bronze Vessel made for the Sacrificial Rite – 1300-1046BC

: One of the few trees within the Forbidden City. But on the outer edge where there were less people. Everywhere you go if you stay in the centre there are so many people but if you take six steps left, right, up or down the people quickly diminish

: Roof top decorations are so detailed throughout China

: empty chairs are a rare sight in China but these were empty because it is extremely hot in the sun, around the corner in the shade the people fill all the chairs and also sit on the ground, the stairs and the railings. Anywhere to try and stay cool

: Archesalong the corridor, we are assuming they used to be windows to see out to the moat

: Entrance to the Imperial Garden within the walls of the Forbidden City

: Elephant statue within the Imperial Garden

: Fallen tree supported in the Imperial Garden

: Structure within the Imperial Garden

: Imperial Garden

: Rock sculptures in the Imperial Garden

: Imperial Garden

: Dragon Beast statue in the Imperial Garden

: Imperial Garden

: Imperial Garden

: Shoulhuang Palace in Jingshan Park opposite the Forbidden City

: enny being our tou guide. We used him as a reference to re-group as he stood above most Chinese people

: Moat across to Forbidden City

: Decaying paintwork outside the Forbidden City

: Beihai Park

: Zheng Jue Hall on Qionghua Island in Beihai Park

: Boat ride around the Island in Beihai Park

: A little respite from the heat 40CNY each

: Helena and I on the boat

: Our driver

: Looking through to the bridge o the island

: There was a pleasant breeze, warm but at least a breeze

: After our respite on the boat, refreshed and ready to go.

: Statue and Hall in Beihai Park

: We couldn’t get a taxi so we risked our lives in an electric scooter that weaved in and out of traffic, on both sides of the road.

: Colleen and I could see where we were going, I don’t know which was scarier as Benny and Helena could only tell we were turning was when their bodies swayed left and right