Other Week: Day 4

Original Post: Forbidden City
Date: October 14, 2008 at 4:47 PM

 

Sprawling over 72 hectares in the middle of Beijing, China, the Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world.  This awe-inspiring collection of over 980 wooden structures from the Ming Dynasty was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.  It is easy to spend an entire day exploring the buildings and courtyards of the Forbidden City and fantasizing about the life and times of the Chinese Emperor.   It is not so easy to exit the complex at closing time on a Saturday afternoon (thx, Zhang).

Beijing Air (Again)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an Air Quality Index (AQI) that tops out at 500. On January 12, 2013, an air quality reading of 755 was recorded in Beijing. The AQI in New York on this same date was 19. Go here for more information about this unprecedented level of air pollution. And here for an arresting series of photos of China's toxic sky [NOTE: You can toggle between "normal" and supersmog in some of the photos].  Air quality seems to have gotten much worse than what I experienced in previous trips to Beijing (see Beijing Air). The word "apocalyptic' comes to mind.

Yonghe Temple II

Another image from the Yonghe temple in Beijing (see Yonghe Temple) showing the lavish painting on the archways and the exquisite metalwork on temple censers. Originally built as an imperial palace during the Qing Dynasty, the sprawling structure was later converted into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is one of the largest and most important Geluk lamaseries in the world. [NOTE: Palms together to Zhiyao Lu for introducing me to this amazing place and waiting patiently as I repeatedly bowed and offered incense (thx, Yao)].

Window Washers

Back in Beijing. Looked up and saw this chorus line of window washers sliding down the face of the building in front of my hotel. The four guys on the left are cleaning the face of the building. I assume this is needed given the high level of particulates in the Beijing air.

If The Shoe Fits

Young fellow sitting in a chair outside of his mother's food stall on Zhang Guancun Avenue in the Haidian District of Beijing. Horns are honking and traffic is whizzing by, but this little guy is completely focused on lacing up the sneaker. I wonder if he put it on after I left? [NOTE: Zhang Guancun Avenue runs in front of Minzu University of China, my collaborators on the Guizhou project (see Miao Landscape)].

Yonghe Temple

Spent the afternoon wandering through the Yonghegong, or Lama Temple, the largest lamasery in Beijing and one of the most important monastic centers of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Truly an amazing place (thx, Yao). Of all the exquisite Buddhist art found here, my favorite is the 26 m tall statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood. And, of course, the two fierce lions that guard the entrance to the temple complex. The male lion (first below) is on the right, while the female (second below) guards the left side. Under the long claws of the female's left paw is a young cub that she appears to be tickling. 

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Off to Guizhou tomorrow to continue fieldwork on the Miao land-use project. [NOTE: As was explained by a prominent sign, the large sandalwood statue of Maitreya Buddha is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records].

What Does Your Ceiling Look Like?

Architectural detail in the one of the 8,707 rooms at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China (see Forbidden City and Hinge Plate). Certainly one of the most ornate, intricate, and carefully painted ceilings I've ever seen.  

Beijing Air

Arrived last night to Beijing.  This is a shot from the cab on the way to the airport to show the lousy air quality. It's not so apparent in the photo, but you can only see about two blocks in front of you and the tops of tall buildings disappear in the haze. Made my eyes burn. Flight to Guizhou was uneventful, and I am posting this from the Yidu Hotel in Guiyang. 

Forbidden City (from the Archive)

[NOTE: I leave for China in ten days. This post from the archive helps set the stage for the upcoming adventure. Back to Beijing, then Guizhou and all things Miao]. 

Sprawling over 72 hectares in the middle of Beijing, China, the Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world.  This awe-inspiring collection of over 980 wooden structures from the Ming Dynasty was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. It is easy to spend an entire day exploring the buildings and courtyards of the Forbidden City and fantasizing about the life and times of the Chinese Emperor.   It is not so easy to exit the complex at closing time on a Saturday afternoon (thx, Zhang).

National Library of China

Repository of over 23 million volumes, the National Library of China is one of the largest libraries in the world. Notable items in this formidable collection include 35,000 oracle bones, copies of Buddhist sutras from the 6th century, and 16,000 historical manuscripts from the Mogao Caves in Dunhaung.  It also has WIFI, 1,000's of electrical outlets, and air conditioning that is absolutely frigid.  And it may be the quietest place in Beijing. Great place to study.