Me, chillin on the grass at night in Xi'an. 

The Summer Palace. 

The Summer Palace. 

The Summer Palace. 

The Summer Palace. 

The Emporers Mother liked to sit on this ship made of marble. It didn't move or do much at all, and she didn't even like to look at the real scenery. She had mirrors installed so that she was constantly looking at a reflection of reality. Strange huh? 

Tiananmen Square. 

Tiananmen Square. 

Outside the Forbidden City. 

Army guys playing basketball inside the Forbdden City. I guess they've got some time off. I swear those guys are the Chinese version of those dudes that stand outside Buckingham Palace. No smiling and always looking for troublemakers. 

Forbidden City. 

Outside the Forbidden City. 

A lion in the Forbidden City. These were everywhere, always two of them, one male and one female. This one is female, you can tell because there are babies under her left paw. The male has a ball under his left paw. 

Forbidden City. 

Forbidden City a definite tourist trap. 

Giant pot used for fire in the Forbidden City. 

Forbidden City. 

Forbidden City. 

Outside the Forbidden City. Here you can see the wall and the moat around it. 

The Temple of Heaven. Built by and Emperor, this was the location of prayer for things such as a good harvest, good rain, ect. The three tiers of this structure represent Hell (lowest), Earth (middle), and Heaven (top).  

Temple of Heaven. 

Temple of Heaven. 

If you stand on this stone and speak it echoes big time. You don't really believe the person standing there that it does, until you step on the center stone. 

Acrobats. We were able to see this show and it was awesome. Just as you thought they couldn't out do themselves...they WOULD! 

Acrobats