Beijing Hotel
Beijing, China
Temple of Heaven - South Gate
Beijing, China First stop: the South Gate to the Temple of Heaven (barely visible in the distance).
Bike Parking
Beijing, China Bikes are everywhere and here's a bike parking area outside the entrance of the Temple of Heaven. Doesn't even look like the bikes are locked up.
From the South Gate
Beijing, China Along the path towards the Temple of Heaven, taking a look back towards the South Gate. There's a certain majesty to the path and one could imagine the pomp on display here in the past.
Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛)
Beijing, China Entrance to the sacrificial altar.
Blue Lion
Beijing, China One of the first examples of the intricate ornamental pieces found in these historical places.
Triple Sound Stone (三音石)
Beijing, China From on top of the sacrificial altar, looking ahead to the next attraction.
Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇)
Beijing, China The first main temple.
On the Vermillion Steps Bridge (丹陛桥)
Beijing, China Nearing the northern end, with the exit towards the Hall of Prayer ahead.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿)
Beijing, China The highlight of the Temple of Heaven. This was where emporors came to pray for good harvests.
Entrance to the Hall of Good Harvests (祈年殿)
Beijing, China Intricate carvings on the stone on the way up to the Hall of Prayer.
Beijing, China The building apparently was built without any nails, which is pretty impressive. Not to mention the intricate detail applied to everything.
North Entrance to the Hall of Prayer
Temple of Heaven Park
Great Hall of the People at Tiananmen Square
Beijing, China The place of assembly for the National People's Congress.
Monument to the People's Heroes
Beijing, China Situated in the center of Tiananmen Square.
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
National Museum of China
Beijing, China Didn't get a chance to go inside, but it probably holds an impressively large number of artifacts.
Tiananmen Square
Beijing, China Looking south towards Mao's mausoleum.
Tiananmen
Beijing, China From Tiananmen Square, looking at the entrance to the Imperial City (and the Forbidden City further within).
Tiananmen, Side View
Beijing, China Heading towards the Imperial City.
Meridian Gate (午门)
Beijing, China The entrance to the Forbidden City. There are five arches, with the one traditionally reserved for the emperor.
