More from Beijing

Here are a few pics from our day in the forbidden city after my mother and brother left. Twenty four emperors ruled from this palace over a span of 500 years ending in 1911. There are 9999 rooms in the palace. It is called the forbidden city because only the royal family, concubines, and eunuchs (castrated men who carried out various duties) lived there. Anyone else required royal authorization to enter. There were usually 6000 people that lived in the forbidden city at one time, 3000 of which were concubines.

At the entrance to the Forbidden City.

These branched interlocked cypresses symbolized loyal love. The last emperor and empress of China had their picture taken in front of these trees.