Zhongshan Park
Zhongshan Park lies right at the southeast corner of the Forbidden City. Given its location, it's very quiet, as most visitors stream right by into the City. Kelly wanted to see a couple of its features, so in we went.
Kelly and Guoying examining a map of the Forbidden City, with Zhongshan Park in the lower left.
The main gate to the park.
One of geologist Kelly's prime destinations in the park: the monument with five colors of earth. Note the Lonely Planet's guide to Beijing balanced on the fence—you will soon hear about it again.
We strolled around the park until we came to this dry moat (for the Forbidden City) bordering its north end. There we sat and rested on some comfortable benches. Not a second later but Kelly let out a yelp—she had left her Lonely Planet guide somewhere behind us. We were confident that she would get it back though, because few Beijingers are interested in an English-language guide to their city. She took off like a shot and was back within minutes. She had found it on the fence shown in the photograph above.
That was close! Now Kelly (and the rest of us) could relax, and Guoying was glad of it.
Here are two views of the scenic street that borders the City and the park on their west. The trees frequently reach across to those from the other side of the street.
This first view is looking south, with the Forbidden City on the left. On the right are a series of little shops and restaurants. They frequently serve as fronts for hutongs, or crowded old neighborhoods marked by small residences and back alleys.
Here is a typical view of life along this pretty street. People are biking by, strolling with young children, or just sitting and passing the time.