Forbidden City
Well, where should I start? Today was a beautiful day. Why? The weather was lovely throughout the whole day. We predicted it would rain sometime during the time when we are touring, but luckily it did not rain. I did feel a few light raindrops. Anyway we went straight to the Tiananmen Square after breakfast.
For the first half of the day, everywhere we went, the place was flooded with domestic tours as well as foreigners. Then we crossed a huge highway over to the Forbidden City. The route that we used to cross to the Forbidden City was a underpass. The underpass was dark and dirty. There was a lot of construction while we were walking in the underpass. I didn’t like the smell of the underpass. Also, I was worrying that the fumes might be toxic because of the construction.
We arrived in the at the South Gate of the Forbidden City. Our plan was to go through the South Gate and exit North Gate. So far our group has done a good job keeping up with each other and no one has gotten lost yet.
We entered three gates in order to get to the inside of the Forbidden City. There were a few constructions in the Forbidden City. The palace is so old and yet so new at the same time. It is new because I have not seen something as beautiful as the palace. Even though our guide Kathy gave us many details about the palace, it makes me wonder what kind of life was lived there.
It felt like the palace was so sacred that I felt the palace is alive. I got to see two thrones from the Tang Dynasty: rehearsal throne and the throne of the Empress where the Dragon Lady told his son what to do and what not to do. Nobody was able to get inside any of the rooma to touch any of the thrones because, in the past, people carved their names on the throne.
Then we continued to walk into the heart of the palace where the emperor lived. The emperor's bedroom had the most distinct design on it but his bed was like a box. His blanket was a bright yellow, like gold, which is an imperial color. The color of his blanket stood out more than anything in the room. There were many dragon designs on his bed; dragons represent power.
Next was the empress’ s room. Her room is more delicate than the concubines. Concubines have similar rooms to each other. The majority of the rooms are small. In the palace there is also a garden for the emperor to take his walk. Many of the features in the garden are very beautiful. It is something that I cannot find in America. I took some pictures but no good shots.
At last we made it to the North Gate and went looking for our driver; then we went to lunch--exhausted but it was worth it. I wish every room in the palace could be opened up to the public. I was wondering what it would be like to live in the palace during a time where there were emperors and empresses living in it.