Sightseeing - The Forbidden City
The
last day before going back to the states one of the translators, Albert, took
us sightseeing.
We
saw the Forbidden City.
 |
| Looks like she is either warn out or very bored!!! |
I
took a picture of these signs for the following two sites within the Forbidden
City but the words were so small I typed the description. So make sure you read
them.....pretty interesting!!
This
is a tree that is entwinded and the story behind it -
Sabina chinensis (L.) Ant.
The branch-interlocked cypresses symbolize loyal
love. It is said the Puyi and Wanrong, the last emperor and empress of the Qing
dynasty, had their photograph taken in front of the trees after their wedding
ceremony to show that “we wish to fly in heaven, two birds with one pair of
wings, and to grow together on earth, two trees with branches interlaced.”
A
rock hill and the story -
Dui Xiu Shan (Hill of Accumulated Elegance)
This
artificial hill was made of rocks piled on the original site of Guan Hua Dian
(Hall of Appreciating Flowers), against the northern palace wall. Originally,
it was named Dui Xiu Shan (Hill of Accumulated Elegance)
The hill is about 10 meters high. On the top stands Yu Jing Ting
(Pavilion of Imperial Scenery), which is reached by a path. At the Double Ninth
Festival every year, the emperors, empresses and imperial concubines climbed
the hill along the path. Halfway up the hill, there is a brick cave running
from east to west. A cave at the foot of the hill has an arched roof, with a
stone caisson carved in the shape of a dragon. Over the entrance hangs a
horizontal board inscribed with the two words “Dui Xiu” (Accumulated Elegance).
Halfway up the hill there are bronze jars to store water. When water runs from
the hill, it spurts out of the dragonheads on the backs of lions on the left
and right sides of the hill.
