tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Forbidden City

I wondered about the significance of this bronze of a happy turtle outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Looking up the details and significance, Wikipedia tells us that "A dragon turtle (龙龟, Lóngguī) is a legendary Chinese creature that combines two of the four celestial animals of Chinese mythology: the body of a turtle with a dragon is promoted as a positive ornament in Feng Shui, symbolizing courage, determination, fertility, longevity, power, success, and support." That sounds rather like another way of saying HFF, everyone. :-) I couldn't resist adding this musical link.

Detail of hand- embossed brass trim on a door in the Forbidden City. You have to be impressed by the craftsmanship, all those centuries ago. Best viewed large.

Well, this is the "Hall of Supreme Harmony" in the Forbidden City palace, and the details are indeed supreme. The crowds are kept at a distance from this (should have kept the shot for HFF). I promise I won't post a shot of all the 800 buildings in the Forbidden City. :-)

When we booked our China trip, we didn't realise it was their summer holiday season. As a result, the crowds at the Forbidden City palace were unsurprising. View large.