October 24 Sightseeing

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.