Why forbidden? Well it was the home of the Emperor and so only he and his attendants lived inside the palace walls.
The moat, like in most castles, was the first line of defence against enemies.
This is the south gate- less crowded on this side so I like to enter here.
This was my 3rd visit to the city so I did exploring off the beaten path down alleyways, etc.
It was a really nice sunny day- the first in a month here!
The architecture is one of the main attractions here, you can see why.
There are huge red doorways all over the city.
In fact the whole city is red, just like the Chinese flag. Red is a lucky color in China.
Traditionally brides are married in red.
Here the masses are catching a rest in the shade.
Porcelain creatures watching over the palace activities- if only these guys could talk, they have had a front row view to thousands of years of history!
In a country this big you are never, ever alone.
This is a forgotten corner of the palace, looking through a slit in a locked door.
Some places inside the walls were built at different times and damaged over time.
It's a big place, stacked yellow roofs are seen all around.
These are all halls emperors once walked.
Looking through a doorway, others are looking back.
It is a maze of courtyards and stairs.
This is another less traveled section that has been barred off.
More corridors and painted ceilings.
Blue sky above the pointed roofs.
The scalloped edges make nice silhouettes.
It is a wonder that people don't get lost in this place, it all starts to look the same.
And this is only the back half of the palace!
A sea of yellow tiled roofs.
These guys are repainting one section.
Always busy restoring the palace.
