BEIJING Continued…..
After Tiananmen Square it was a short drive to The Forbidden City (we had been told about the size of this city and our informers were not wrong!!). Unfortunately, it was extremely hot (37deg.C.) and we were in for a lot of walking, climbing huge steps and dodging 80,000 tourists, who visit this amazing place every day.
The Forbidden City, right in the heart of Beijing, is a 720,000 sq.mtre complex of intricate pavilions, gardens, courtyards and buildings, is the largest imperial palace in China and was home to 24 emperors between 1420 and 1923. There are over 8,000 buildings mostly wooden and colourfully painted and covered with yellow glazed tiles. It took almost 1-1/2 hours to trek just a part of this massive place and the heat was extreme, with little shade…. all of it was mind blowing!!
Time for lunch and we were hungry and thirsty. With all the tour buses arriving at the Jianguo Hotel around the same time, luckily the service was very efficient and we devoured a 10 course banquet, along with a thirst quenching Chinese Beer.
Our tour continued to the Temple of Heaven, a very beautiful 'round' temple with black tiled roof and gorgeous colours wrapping around this very impressive structure. It is surrounded by a beautiful park and covered walkways leading to the temple. Many locals were playing cards and Chinese chequers!!! I spotted a beautiful Chinese doll and just had to take a photo.
It was a long trip 'home', but worth the effort as it was a great experience to visit Beijing…… now looking forward to resting our weary legs during 2 sea days before we reach Nagasaki.
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