Not-so-random thoughts on random topics: Hong Kong: Chapter 3

The Forbidden City
Beijing, China

(Click photos to enlarge)

Now that I have climbed the Great Wall and became the late Chairman M's version of a "worthy man", visited the summer resort occupied by the Emperors and Empresses, my 4-day Beijing excursion shall take us to other significant landmarks - the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and its neighboring buildings, the 2008 Olympics site, also known as the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, where Michael Phelps broke eight thousand world records.

Along the way we also visited a well-known traditional Chinese herbal clinic that has been selling medicine over 350 years, factories that manufacture and sell comforters made of silk, along other tourist traps.

Epic Excursion!

The Forbidden City Palace Museum

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. I suppose this is the equivalence of the White House of the United States, although I prefer not to make such references.

Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 7,800,000 sq ft. It exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

Today, the site is most commonly known in Chinese as Gùgōng (故宫), which means the "Former Palace". The museum which is based in these buildings is known as the "Palace Museum" (故宫博物院).

The Hall of Supreme Harmony

Beyond the entrance gate of the Forbidden City leads to the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square, which is the focus of the palace complex. A three-tiered white marble terrace, called The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) is the largest pavilion. It rises about 100 ft above the level of the square. It is the ceremonial center of imperial power, and the largest surviving wooden structure in China.

During the Ming Dynasty (1300's-1640's), the Emperor held court here to discuss affairs of state. During the Qing Dynasty (1640's to 1912), as Emperors held court far more frequently, a less ceremonious location was used instead. The Hall of Supreme Harmony was only used for ceremonial purposes such as coronations, investitures, and imperial weddings.

Entering the Forbidden City from the Meridian Gate.
Photo was taken behind the Meridian Gate,
in the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square

Standing in the pavilion of the Hall of Supreme
Harmony, facing the Meridian Gate

White marbled terrace leading to the
Hall of Supreme Harmony

Yellow is the color of the Emperor. Almost all roofs in the Forbidden City
bear yellow glazed tiles.
The sloping ridges of building roofs are decorated with a line of statuettes
led by a man riding a phoenix and followed by an imperial dragon.
The number of statuettes represents the status of the building –
The Hall of Supreme Harmony has 10, the only building
in the country permitted this in Imperial times.

A minor building might have 3 or 5 statuettes.
The library at the Pavilion of Literary Profundity (文渊阁) had black tiles
because black was associated with water, and thus fire-prevention.
Similarly, the Crown Prince's residences have green tiles
because green was associated with wood, and thus growth.

The statue represents prosperity,
wealth, and great fortune

Northwest corner of the Forbidden City tower.
The City is surrounded by a protective moat.

Welcome to Tiananmen Square
Beijing, China

The two towers marked the city gate and entrance
to Beijing in the old days

Tianamen Square is a large city square in the center of Beijing City. It is named after the Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace), located to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the third largest city square in the world, and has great historical and cultural significance.

Tiananmen Gate,
to the north of Tiananmen Square.

Standing at the East edge of the Square,
waiting to cross the street to enter
Tiananmen Square

Huge red lanterns were erected to celebrate
the National Day of PRC on October 1.
(Structure was being removed during
our visit on Oct 23)

The Great Hall of the People -
along the west side of Tiananmen Square

Musoleum of Mao Zedong -
along the south side of the Square

National Museum of China
(dedicated to Chinese history predating 1919) -
along the east side of the Square

At the center of the Tiananmen Square
sits a huge flat screen that shows diverse culture
and traditions of China

Monument to the People's Heroes -
in the middle of the Square, facing north,
with the Great Hall of the People in the background.

On the front of the monument is an inscription in the late Mao's handwriting,
which reads "Eternal glory to the people's heroes!"
On the back of the monument is a message drafted by Mao Zedong and written
by the first premier Zhou Enlai, commemorating the heroes who sacrificed for the Chinese Liberation War (1946-1949), the May Fourth Movement that started in 1919,
and the general struggle of the Chinese people against the various external and
internal strife engulfing China from the beginning of the First Opium war in 1840 to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

Heading back to the 5-star Crowne Plaza
for some much needed relaxation
after lots of walking and eating

A well-respected traditional Chinese apothecary
with rich history and remedies for all ailments.
The name of the shop is Tung-Yan-Tong,
It has been around for more than 360 years.

I need a mortar and pestle in my kitchen;
regrettably this wouldn't fit in my purse...

Beautiful apothecary at the Tung Yan Tong clinic.
Each drawer stores one to three kinds of herbs and medicine,
each clearly labelled at the front.
They are beautifully and sensibly arranged
according to their functions and usages.

Apothecary mesmerizes me.
My maternal grandfather used to own an apothecary
in Hong Kong some 70-80 years ago. He was
a well-respected physician of his time.

A manual scale that carefully weighs out
accurate proportions of herbs and medicine
for clients and patients

I couldn't find the English name or scientific name
of this herbal medicine. It is prohibitively
expensive - for the privileged 1%!

The thicker the strand, the more expensive.
The ones in the far right corner are the most
expensive - about 700 RMB (or US$110) for 10 grams.
Yes, 10 grams. That's about ONE strand.
See why it's reserved for the richest 1%??