THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN IS THE LARGEST COMPLEX OF IMPERIAL SACRIFICIAL BUILDINGS: In the days of ancient China, where the emperor is regarded as the Son of Heaven bearing heavenly authority, the Temple of Heaven is a most sacred place, out of bounds to ordinary folks. This huge complex of imperial sacrificial buildings is where […]
Climbing the Great Wall at Juyong Pass
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA IS ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD: For most visitors to China, the dream of climbing the Great Wall of China is one of the main reasons for coming to this country and each year millions of foreign visitors, as well as locals, do just that. Yuyong Pass […]
Tiananmen Square – The Chairman’s Vision Lives On
TIANANMEN SQUARE IS THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY SQUARE IN THE WORLD: Tiananmen Square, Beijing’s main city square is where all important parades and events take place. We arrive at the square a week after the National Day Golden Week celebrations to find it still decked out in thousands of floral arrangements and celebratory colours of […]
The Garden Retreat of the Imperial Family
A PLACE OF BEAUTY AND WHERE YOUNG GIRLS WERE SELECTED FOR THE EMPEROR’S HAREM: At the rear of the Imperial Palace, behind the Palace of Earthly Peace, is the Imperial Garden. This private garden is the retreat for the imperial family and the emperor, empress, imperial concubines and other family members come here for recreation […]
The Forbidden City – Once Home to Ming and Qing Emperors
THE FORBIDDEN CITY, NOW KNOWN AS THE PALACE MUSEUM, HOUSES OVER 1.5 MILLION RELICS: One of the most important historic sights in the centre of Beijing is the Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum. From within this huge complex of imperial buildings, twenty-four Ming and Qing emperors ruled imperial China over a period […]