there are four pavilions in the Imperial Garden, one for every season
the alley in the concubine quarters
the small discolered piece on the dragons belly is the famous piece of wood that saved the craftmen's heads
the fifth dragon symbolizes the emperor
the beautyful Nine Dragon Screenwall
this is the northern wall
the Accumulated Beauty Hill with the Pavilion of Imperial View on top
a nice fish pond
entering the concubine quarters
the Inner Court of the Forbidden City
The
Inner Court of the forbidden City was where the emperor and his extensive court lived, away from the commoners.
There
are a couple of larger halls, like the
Hall of Celestial Purity where foreign ambassadors were received and huge banquets were held.
But most of the buildings are living quarters for the emperor, scores of concubines and eunuch servants.
Many intrigues were
spun here, some with deadly consequences for either the emperor or the conspirators.
One of the masterpieces is the 31 meters
long
Nine Dragon Screen, with the famous last minute wooden fix to trick the emperor and escape execution.
The
Imperial
Garden is where emperors could relax and enjoy a small piece of nature.
Exit to the north is via the Gate of Divine Might.
We
strolled the now empty concubine quarters and the Imperial Garden in 1991 and returned for another visit in May 2004.
the Gate of Celestial Purity provides access to the Inner Court
the entrance leading to the emperor's living quarters
the concubines are all gone now
once you are out, the visit is over
even today people love to stroll in the Imperial Garden
