Temple Dogs and Lions

IMG_3453, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

These statues are technically lions, but are often called temple dogs because of their canine features. They usually come in pairs with one on each side of the steps or gate. This one is male because he has a ball under his paw.

Lady Temple Dog

IMG_3458, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

Temple Dogs or temple lions come in male and female varieties. The best way to tell them apart is to look at what they have under their...paw. Female temple dogs have small cub on his back.

Golden Roof

IMG_3460, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

All the roofs have the same style ornamentation which is these figurine people and temple dogs standing in a row.

Brass Elephant

IMG_3408, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

This brass elephant is also in the private area of the Forbidden City. If you look at the wall in the background, you can see that the paint has not been restored like it has in the larger parts of the area.

Emperor's Garden

IMG_3411, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

At the northwest corner of the Forbidden City is the personal garden of the emperor. Here the buildings are smaller and the grounds are more decoratively landscaped. This building is a small private temple for the emperor.

City In Haze

IMG_3947, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

Here is another view from the hill on top of Jingshen Park in Beijing looking towards the Forbidden City. If the haze were not so thick, you could see the government center in the distance.

Forbidden City Aerial View

IMG_4003, originally uploaded by yellojkt.

This faded aerial photograph shoes the relationship and size of the Forbidden City and Jingshen Park. Jingshen Park is the green circle at the top of the photo and everything inside the blue moat is the Forbidden City.