Forbidden City - Beijing

Behind is the first entry into the "Palace Museum". Construction began in 1406 and 24 emperors ruled the whole country from here for nearly 500 years. Much older than us!

Ceramic mural

The buildings are all done up real good - lots of detail.

Retaining wall surrounding one of the many inner courtyards.

The Palace occupies an area of over 720,000 sq.mt. (close to 8,000,000 sq ft or just under 200 acres) and has 9000 bays of halls and rooms. The surrounding walls ar 33 feet high. A moat surrounds the outside walls. The Forbidden City is divided into two parts: the outer court and the inner court.

A small kiosk on the grounds. The green pipes are supports for the leaning trees.