Forbidden City

For the third full day in the center of Beijing, we got up early and went back to the Forbidden City with the hope of getting inside this time. We got through security and waited at a gate to be let into the ticket plaza where we had gotten and were denied two days earlier. There are a limited number of tickets that are available on the day of the visit. Once the gate was opened, it was a mad dash to find tickets. Of course, I’m lost in what was happening. There was a language and culture barrier for me. The first place we went, we got on a list then waited until someone said that I cannot get a ticket here because I was a foreigner. So we wandered around lost and disappointed until we discovered another line where tickets could be sold to foreigners. We had to wait till the ticket office opened. When that gate opened, there was another mad dash to the ticket office despite the lines in which we were waiting. We got tickets, and we got into the line for the entrance.

The ticket entrance - Wumen Gate (Meridian Gate)

Looking back at the lines

After getting inside, we got a portable audio tour guide. I found that it was too hard to listen to the guide with all the distraction around me. The City opened up to some large plazas and courtyards. The architecture was beautiful. However, trying to look into some of the Halls was hard due to the crowds. We mainly stuck to the center of the Forbidden City. Looking back, I see we probably missed a lot by following the crowds. By lunch time, I was ready to leave. I had enough of the crowds. The Forbidden City was something to see once and here are the pictures.

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Backside of Wumen Gate (Meridian Gate)

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Hall)

View of the tall buildings of Beijing from the Forbidden City

Wandering around the Forbidden City

What time is it.

Dragon Turtle

Walking toward a crowd

Zoom view of a roof

Looking into one of the Halls

The crowds fighting to looking into one of the Halls

An open area before the next crowded area

Me listening to my audio tour guide

Inside one of the Halls

I liked the roof in this photo

Following the crowd

People taking a break in a courtyard

Me in the Imperial Garden

Flowers in the Imperial Garden

Imperial Garden

Looking up at the Hall of Imperial Peace from the Imperial Garden

The Exit through Shenwu Gate with a view Jingshan Park