The Forbidden City and Eating Chinese Style

Qianqing Hall
Many of the buildings in the Forbidden City were closed and most were empty.  In 1937 war with Japan broke out.  3000 crates filled with treasures from the City were moved to Taipei, Taiwan.  Many were lost or never returned.

We thought this couple was getting married, but David told us that people like to come dressed like Emperors and take pictures at the Forbidden City.  They looked very serious, but loved having people take their picture.

 

I didn't catch what the significance of this building was, but it was high on a hill overlooking the City.

Parts of the City were surrounded by a moat.
One of the Corner Towers

Foot traffic through the Forbidden City is one way.  Everyone enters through the Meridian Gate...in Yung Lo's day only the emperor entered through this Gate.
When we left the City we were on a small crowded street with dozens of coaches and buses.  The sidewalk was full of aggressive vendors pushing their wares into your hands, pleading for your business....and many poor people begging for your help.  One couple, each one with a sick looking child in their arms,were quite pushy and crying for help.  The woman sort of latched on to Andy and stayed with him for quite a ways.  It was heart wrenching, but our guide warned us not to give them anything. 

On the other hand, he encouraged us to have our picture taken with people if they ask...many are visiting from the far western provinces and have never seen a foreigner before...so it is a big deal to them.  In the time we were in China, we had our picture taken with strangers, mostly young people, dozens of times.  They were so very happy and proud to be your new friend.

We went to a little out of the way local place for lunch.   We had our first Chinese meal together as a group here.  We were seated a large round tables set for 10-12.  In the middle of the table was a very large glass round lazy susan.  The waitress would deliver 10-14 dishes and place them on the lazy susan...rice and noodles, beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, and pork dishes, vegetable dishes of all kinds.  You had to be very careful to put the spoons to the back, or you would spill your drink as it went around the circle to serve each one at the table.  You never really knew how much you would get to eat or which foods would be left by the time they got to you.  To add to the challenge, you got a small bowl and about a 5-6 inch plate.  Most places offered chopsticks and forks.  Just about every meal watermelon and cantelope were offered for dessert.  Nearly every lunch and dinner we ate in China was served this way, so each meal was interesting and sometimes challenging!

 

Bikes, motor cycles, and motor scooters are still very popular in China.  There are parking lots right on the sidewalks in some places...others have fancy covered lots for them.  Most of the main streets have a small lane on the far right for them to ride...they cross the street with pedestrians.