4-14-05 - Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and Beijing M.S. #8

The Forbidden City
by Brian Clark

Today we traveled to the Forbidden City where we found it to be under restoration for the 2008 Olympics. The tremendous life this compound has endured has put a toll on its appearance and for the up and coming Olympics Beijing is doing many things to facelift the entire city. Many new structures are being built, are in the planning stages of being built, but one of the biggest is the Forbidden City restoration. During our visit some of the the compound was closed off to visitors but we were able to see the main buildings. We got to walk the path that the emperor's walked when they would enter the city and for me, walking on this path made me envision the servants, concubines, and 1000's of other staff lining the path.all dressed in their traditional court clothing and all greeting the emperor, surrounded by the massive buildings. For me this was an incredible experience despite the restoration. Another aspect of the city that I found interesting was how one could see the buildings from a distance and as one got closer the buildings would grow. Standing next to columns 10to 15 times the size of yourself is amazing!