Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Not sure what I can say about this. It’s big.

See the Olympic countdown clock?

Cult of Personality.

Mao’s mausoleum and a line of people waiting to view his body.

On the way into the Forbidden City.

Did I already say it was hot?

More ornate architecture.

Did I already say it was big?

Comrades, please wear hardhats! In fact, in Beijing, construction sites looked like any in the US, but outside Beijing, well, …, let’s just say OSHA would not approve!

This was carved from one huge rock that weighted 75 tons and was moved into place by building a canal and waiting until it froze and then sliding the rock over it.

In a garden inside the forbidden city.

We also went to the Hutong, or Beijing old town and took a ride in a rickshaw, also called a paddlewagon today. Felt a little bad, but the peddler was a young guy and we tipped him a lot. He was very happy.

Trying to do the Branton and Sarah self-photo thing, but my arms aren’t long enough.

We got some of these steamers to try to make our own dumplings. It created quite a stir when Tammy was carrying them around the department store. Not a typical souvenir, apparently.

A steep stairway! Up to the top of (another) drum tower.

Views from the top of the Beijing city drum tower.