This is China. This is Beijing. It cannot be forgotten regardless of the wonderful time we had on our tour - that this is Communist China. Having said that, I want to show you images of the Great Wall first and then we'll get back to the Forbidden City.

We traveled quite a way out of Beijing to see some of the more original parts of the wall. This meant that we spent an entire day "doing" the Wall - but it was worth it.

These images are spectacular! To be at a place that you never thought in a million years that you would visit - I was constantly amazed during this trip.

The wall was built to keep the Mongol hordes at bay by China's first emperor. Centuries later, it still serves a purpose, not to repel, but to attract! This ancient architectural wonder snakes across China's landscape, stretching some 4,100 miles from east to west.

Construction on the first section began between the 5th and 6th century BC while the last construction on the was was done between the 14th and 17th centuries AD. It is a fact that the wall began as independent walls for different states. It was only in the Qin Dynasty that Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have all the walls joined together to fend off invasions from the north forming the Great Wall of China we know. Built over 2,000 years ago, it is remarkable that most of the wall is still standing, although in some areas it has fallen into disrepair.

These are spaces where archers would shoot the enemy (right).

On the left is the bell tower, wrung in the morning.

On the right is the drum tower, which was played in the evening.

This is the tradition in many towns and villages in China.

We went up in the tower in the evening to see the drumming show.

Hope you can see that it was pretty special.

These photos are all from the Forbidden City.

This is the mother lion on the left side of the entrance with the baby under her paw.

This is a large incense burner on the left. Do you see the spouts the serve to drain the platform above?

On the right - a detail of the figures on the roof.

Nice detail on the right.

On the left, the rooftops of the Forbidden City with Beijing in the background.

There were many, many beautiful arches and doors throughout the Forbidden City. None of this does justice to our experience.

This beautiful ceramic tile mural of mythical dragons was a beauty!

I think this is Prince Gong's Mansion (right).

Nice photo of Scott in the garden (right).

We did go through the old area of Beijing on the rickshaws on the right.

On the right is the classic view of the Hutong rooftops of Beijing.

We visited the Hutong of Beijing - the traditional alleyways for courtyard dwellings. These folks run a home stay in their house.

It was fun to see their home and figure out how they managed to keep up this rather large home and courtyard.

We were reminded of the homes we had visited in New Zealand - very functional, missing no modern conveniences.

We walked through an upscale shopping area and enjoyed the energy and lighthearted atmosphere.

When we were at the Summer Palace, I'm sure our guide thought we were more interested in the Tibetan women than we were of the beautiful site. I was just so fascinated I couldn't keep my eyes off the intriguing and colorful clothing.

I couldn't resist the shot of this beautiful young Tibetan lady.

We did go to the Olympic Park while we were in Beijing. It was neat to see the water stadium where all the water sports were held. Also, the Dragon Hotel in the shape of a dragon. More brick apartment buildings in the background on the left.

More shots around the Olympic Park. This time with Chinese Police.

This big tower was the communications tower.

And, of course, the Bird Cage, in which all the main events occurred.

For all you techies, I hope you enjoy this shot of the headquarters' building made in the shape of a circuit board.