Soon after arriving in Beijing we were invited to visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with Chen Baojue and Lin Tsunghan. The Forbidden City is the Imperial Palace used during the five centuries of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ordinary Chinese were forbidden to enter it.

Outside the main gate	Baojue and Jean near the entrance.
George with Tsunghan	Looking south across Tiananmen Square from the gate of the Forbidden City.
Mao's portrait remains despite the immense changes since his death.	With Baojue and Tsunghan on the Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace Gate) Tower where Mao used to address the people.
Cycle transport like this is much less in evidence than on our last visit - these fellows were just fooling around!	Taihemen - the Gate of Supreme Harmony.
Part of Tiananmen Tower	One of the vast courtyards
The Crane represents longevity for the Emperor	One of the Emperor's many thrones.
	In the Imperial Gardens
	Post-prandial satisfaction at the Hepingmen Quanjude Peking Duck Restaurant