Forbidden City

Beijing, China

The old imperial palace, also known as the Forbidden City, lies in the heart of Beijing. Surrounded by a wide moat and wall it houses many rooms, buildings and treasures from countless years.
Open to the public it is a place of hustle and bustle until closing time, then it quietens down and the light is just right.
These are just a few shots from the place, but you could spend a long time marveling at its treasures.

These old, intricately hammered fittings on the doors create a great contrast with the red varnish of the wood. Dragons are depicted on many of them, symbolizing power and long life. A dragon is hammered in gold, surrounding the knobs that go through the great doors of the city. The fierce face of this bronze head on one of the vast vats scare evil spirits away. The vats can hold fire or water, both important in a palace build entirely from wood. In the background, the columns of one of the central buildings are seen. A bronze fitting on one of the door with a hammered dragon is black with patina, except where countless visitors rubbed the dragon's head for good luck. An old lady rest in front of the great doors of the big building at the entrance. The red and gold color theme of the doors balances with her gray-white hair. Many old people come to the forbidden city every day, some from far away to see it for the first time, others from Beijing te relish its past.

Tags: Art, Architecture

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These old, intricately hammered fittings on the doors create a great contrast with the red varnish of the wood. Dragons are depicted on many of them, symbolizing power and long life.

Gold Fitting on a Door, Beijing, China

These old, intricately hammered fittings on the doors create a great contrast with the red varnish of the wood. Dragons are depicted on many of them, symbolizing power and long life.

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