Forbidden City 6

 

Gail is admiring an ancient tree whose base has been carved into something almost supernatural.

The upper part of the tree is something special, too.

Usually Chinese lions guard buildings. Here it's a stylized elephant. Maybe they used the elephant because it is another symbol of long life. Those emperors didn't want to die, and who can blame them?

A beautiful façade of carved rock.

Enjoy the rest of the photos from the botanical garden!

 

 

Now we are heading back out toward the southern entrance. Here is a particularly long ceremonial entrance that Jinghua and Gail are enjoying. Note that all the animals here are dragons—only the emperors could use dragons. Anyone else who used a dragon as his symbol lost his head (literally).

Beautiful roof and walls.

Ahead to Forbidden City 7
Back to Forbidden City 5

Back to Beijing March 2003