5/1/2007 ~ Taiqing Palace

On the Rio: Pat Metheny Group ~ San Lorenzo

I had to go to the seaside city of Qingdao a couple weeks ago for a project meeting. I went up on a Saturday to take advantage of the local attractions. My first stop was Taiqing Palace.

The Taiqing Palace was first built in 140, and formed a considerable scale in 905 with the efforts of several famous Taoists, including the birthplace of Laozi. After that, more buildings were added to it. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the temple became a Taoist temple of Quanzhen Sect, it got great support from the imperial court and its status was elevated greatly.

Here I am at the entrance.

Here is an example of some of the displays.

This is the goddess of fertility.

And an eight-armed statuette.

Yes, this three-eyed statue really is giving you the finger.

Lots of superstitions exist, such as rubbing the carved bats for good luck, or touching a part of a tree, sitting under a pavilion to achieve good grades, or throwing coins into this container.

4/29/2007 ~ Beijing: Jingshan Park

On the Rio: Odetta ~ Take This Hammer

Today I walked to the French grocery store, Carrefour; it's about 4 miles away. I stocked up on certain items I can't get at my regular international grocery: tortilla chips, salsa, refried beans and tequila (yes, in preparation for Cinco de Mayo); mustard and pickles and pitas. I still can't find graham crackers, as I want to make my co-workers a cheesecake. Anyone have suggestions for another type of crust to use?

I had to answer questions for one of my on-line banks this week, you know, those "reminder" questions. Well, one was, "What was your high school mascot?" So I answered, "Golden Beaver". They rejected it saying I couldn't use profanity! I'm so insulted.

Looks like the Wizards are not going to get past round one in the playoffs. By the way, I ended up in second place in the private fantasy league, and first in the public league. Go Shanghai China Cats!

Here are the final pictures of Beijing. It took me 6 hours to make it through the entire Forbidden City. Here is the view from Jinghsan (Prospect) Hill, across the way, which I some how still had energy to climb.
And this is a view of Beijing.

This is one of six pavilions in Jingshan Park.

At the park entrance, people gather to dance. Mostly waltzes. I've seen this in Shanghai as well, especially on a warm evening. I tried not to be too obvious taking pictures, and was experimenting more with black&white. Hope you feel the rhythm.

4/23/2007 ~ More Forbidden City

On the Rio: Grateful Dead ~ Tastebud

The emperor lived and handled political affairs in the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qian Qing Gong).

Three hundred and eight copper and iron vats were part of the fire-fighting equipment of the palace. They were filled with water to be used to douse fires. From October to February every year the vats were covered with quilts to prevent the water from freezing, and on very cold days they would be heated with charcoal fires. The Qing Dynasty vats had 2 beast-shaped bronze rings.

The Imperial Garden contains several hundred-year-old pines, cypresses and Chinese wisteria, and exotic stones are scattered here and there. Here the emperors, empresses and imperial concubines could appreciate the scenery and amuse themselves. In the Qing Dynasty, girls were selected here for the emperor's harem.

The branch interlocked cypresses symbolize loyal love. It is said that 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." Couples today wait in line to have their pictures taken.And here a few photos I found interesting.

4/21/2007 ~ Beijing: Forbidden City cont'd

On the Rio: Dawn Penn ~ You Don't Love Me

This is the largest stone carving in the Palace, at 16.75 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, and weighs more than 2 tons, hence the name, Large Stone Carving. It was carved out of a huge natural stone in the Ming Dynasty and then in 1761 the old carvings were hewn away and recarved. With beautiful interlocking lotus patterns all around the huge stone carving has curling waves at the bottom and nine dragons amidst clouds in the middle, as the dragon is an imperial symbol. The stone was transported to the Palace by sprinkling water on the way in winter to make an iced road and then pulled on the ice.

This is the Gate of National Prosperity (Jing Yun Men), constructed in 1420 and renovated in 1655, and is one of the gates leading to the inner court. Along both sides of the gate were Mongolian nobles offices. Unless summoned, visitors had to halt 20 paces from the gate to protect the emporer.

This is the Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qian Qing Men), also constructed in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655 after a fire destroyed it. In the Qing Dynasty the emporer heard reports here.

4/15/2007 ~ Beijing: Forbidden City

On the Rio: The Staple Singers ~ I Like The Things About Me

The Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City, was the center of both the Ming and Qing dynasties.

This is part of the original wall.And a bridge and reflection.

The Tower of Enhanced Righteousness (Hong Yi Ge), built in 1420 in the Ming Dynasty, was originally named the military tower and now exhibits several traditional imperial instruments.

The Gate of the Distinguished Clan (Long Zong Men), also constructed in 1420, was also known as the Forbidden Gate because, except for those who came to make urgent reports or been summoned, not even princes and officials were allowed to enter. Instead, the had to halt 20 paces away from the flight of steps and state their business to palace messengers. This is where the name "Forbidden City" originated.

4/13/2007 ~ Beijing: Tiananmen Square

On the Rio: Peter Rowan ~ Pullin' the Devil by the Tail

Tainanmen Square is located is in the center of Beijing and covers a total area of 440,000 sq meters, making it the largest public square in the world. This is the square, with the Monument to the People's Heroes and beyond that is the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. I was not able to walk past Mao as viewing times were only in the morning.

These are pictures of Tiananmen Gate or Gate of Heavenly Peace.

It was first built in 1417 and known as Chengtianmen during the Ming Dynasty and was the front gate of the Imperial Palace. It was given its present name after reconstruction in 1651.

Standing guard.

I don't know what these guys were doing.

Tourists are allowed to go up and get a birds eye view from the 33.7 meter-high gate. There are also several rooms with artwork. I had to take this picture, as it is similar to one I purchased in Chengdu.

4/11/07 ~ Beijing: Temple of Heaven cont'd

On the Rio: Paul Simon ~ Slip Slidin' Away

Continuing along the walkway, I came across the Cypress Embracing Pagoda Tree, known as the "Brother Trees" of Beijing. This centuries old cypress has grown a 100+ year old pagoda tree. These 2 trees co-exist in a symbol of friendship. This phenomenon is possible due to birds accidentally dropping seeds into the hole of the cypress.

Here is the entranceway into the Temple of Heaven grounds.

The temple complex is built for the view of the gods. Seen from above, the temples themselves are round and their bases square, a pattern deriving from the ancient Chinese belief that heaven is round and earth is square.

The architecture of the Round Alter is based on the imperial number nine and multiples of nine.

This is the Imperial Hall of Heaven, where the tablets of the emporer's ancestors were displayed and worshipped and the emporer came to light incense the day before the winter solstice ceremony. This hall was first built in 1420 during the Ming Emporer Yongle's reign.