Gate of Heavenly Peace
Mao with the words "Long Live the People's Republic of China" on either side of his portrait

Mom being escorted by the PLA. ;-)
I asked Mark how one could tell the PLA apart from the many security guards and policemen. He said, "Their uniforms fit!"
It struck me how young they were.

Shooting a photo "from the hip"
The PLA doing drills in the Forbidden City

We were approached by many deformed beggars in the Forbidden City...very sad situations. We saw several men with deformed legs moving by sitting on skateboards. One woman had a tumor in her neck as large as her head. Very heart-breaking scenes.

Meridian Gate

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Buildings flanking the Hall of Preserving Harmony

Hall of Preserving Harmony
The expanse of the Forbidden City was truly striking.

Tourists were constantly taking photos of the girls!

Sunshading umbrella, although the pollution really blocks the sun

The Emperor's Throne
There are no trees in the Forbidden City. He didn't want anything higher than his own structures.

It was a long walk from one end of the Forbidden City to the other.

Extensive restoration