The Circular Mound Altar at the Temple of Heaven. The emperors of the last two dynasties worhipped here on winter solstice.
The view of the Imperial Vault of Heaven from the Circular Mound Altar.
Carved dragons serve as decorations and gutters.
Dragons are also often carved into roofs.
One goes through Chengzhen Gate when heading to the Imperial Vault of Heaven from the north.
The entrance to the courtyard of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The wall surrounding the courtyard is known as the Echo Wall.
Between stairs, there are often intricate carvings.
Guard relaxing at the Temple of Heaven.
Worker spraying the trees at the Temple of Heaven.
One of the many tour groups with hats to help identify them.
Part of an elaborate door frame at the Temple of Heaven.
The longest stair (16m) carving in the Forbidden City. It has nine dragons.
A large pot that once stored water in case of fire.
Lioness at the Forbidden City.
Guard on duty at the Forbidden City.
The Tiananmen Gate.
Artist painting the Forbidden City.
Count down until the Summer Olympics.
Guard at Tiananmen Square (the Tiananmen Gate is across the street in the background).
Boy working the entrance to the Summer Palace.
The Long Corridor (728m) at the Summer Palace. Each beam has a different painting on each side. There are 273 beams.
View of a pavillion that is part of the Long Corridor.
The Marble Boat - meant to symbolize stability of the Qing dynasty.
View through one of the walls at the Summer Palace.
Part of the Summer Palace and part of modern Beijing.
The Summer Palace has a Buddhist temple called the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom. It is also known as the Beamless Hall because it uses no beams to support its roof.
The outer walls of the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom has many small statues.
View of sunset from the Summer Palace.
Very steep steps on the Great Wall.
A view from the top of the Great Wall.
Pavillion roof details at Bei Hai Park.
The Nine Dragon Wall at Bei Hai Park. There are actually over 600 dragons on this wall.
Man practicing tai chi at Bei Hai Park.
Seniors dancing at Bei Hai Park.
Restaurant staff meeting outdoors.
A little Western influence.
Beijing has many public, outdoor exercise machines.
