HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The largest palace complex in history, “The Forbidden Palace” in Beijing, China, had 8,728 rooms, in 980 buildings. In the past, ordinary citizens were forbidden to enter this complex.

MEMORIES OF BEIJING, CHINA 1989

On Dec. 23 1989, we arrived in Beijing, by PIA flight from Lahore (Pakistan), around noon as I remember, and were received by the Chinese staff of the UN office in Beijing, where our friend was stationed on whose invitation we took the journey. After settling down in a five stars hotel, owned by a Hong Kong Tycoon, we ventured out, on foot, to look around to familiarise ourselves. We ended up right at the door of the Forbidden City. Excited as we were, we immediately bought the tickets and an audio self guided equipment and started exploring the FORBIDDEN CITY COMPLEX, moving section by section, slowly though to absorb the stunning beauty of the place. By the time we reached the end of the complex, we were directed by the guards to leave the premises by the nearest exit door that took us into an uncharted territory, walking around the wall of the Forbidden City, discovering totally unfamiliar areas, no match with the beautiful buildings inside the Forbidden City.

During our stay, until Jan. 19, 1989, we explored lots of places in Beijing including the Great Wall of China and many other fascinating temples etc.

TIAN AN MEN SQUARE or the “GATE TO THE HEAVENLY PEACE”, built in A.D. 1651,  and the Entrance to the FORBIDDEN CITY – Jan. 13, 1989

FORBIDDEN CITY AS IN 1989

FORBIDDEN CITY AS IN 1989

FORBIDDEN CITY AS IN 1989

FORBIDDEN CITY AS IN 1989

FORBIDDEN CITY AS IN 1989

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

AT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

LOOKING OVER THE MOUNTAINS FROM GREAT WALL OF CHINA

ARABIC INSCRIPTION

MOSQUE IN BEIJING

MOSQUE IN BEIJING