Between the square and the gate runs Chang an Jie, Beijing's ceremonial boulevard.  Four soldiers form an honour guard working in 4 four hour shifts around the clock

A large portrait of Mao Zedung has presided over the square for over half a century.   It is replaced annually with a newly painted copy.  He is depicted without wrinkles, perfection personified.   Either side are the slogans  'Long Live the Chinese People's Republic' and 'Long Live the Great Unity of the World's Peoples'

In Imperial times it served as a rostrum from which to make official proclamations.  It was from here that Mao Zedung proclaimed The People's Republic of China on October 1st 1949

Laid out between 1406 and 1420.  It comprises an Inner City for ordinary working people, an Imperial City for the court and civil service and the Forbidden City for the imperial household.  From here the Son of Heaven ruled the 'Middle Kingdom' as intermediary between heaven and earth.  The Emperor entered to cries of 'ten thousand years', the same cries  would greet Mao Zedung centuries later

The courtyard Leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony can hold up to 90,000 spectators.  The largest building in the Imperial City, containing the Dragon Throne  and the scene of all major ceremonies

The ceiling above the throne features a dragon with a pearl in his mouth. According to legend the pearl can distinguish whether the emperor is the legitimate inheritor, if not, the pearl will fall

The Emperor was the incarnation of the dragon, there are dragon designs on the throne, columns, windows and ceilings. The golden throne sits on a platform an ornate wall screen behind and three gilded columns on each side.  In front of the throne, there are mythical beasts, cranes symbolising longevity and incense burners

One of the five marble bridges fording the stream

Bronze guardian lion-dogs known in the West as Foo Dogs, flank the entrances to the halls.  This male lion has a ball under his paw symbolizing control of the empire, the Lioness  on the other side pins a cub beneath her massive paw symbolizing continuity of empire

 Given the national fascination with fireworks and lantern festivals it is not surprising that the four corners of the roofs featured mythological creatures led by a god astride a phoenix to ward off destruction by fire.   They were not totally reliable however, these buildings date from the 18th century although they look much as the originals would have done 500 years ago 

Taking photos with foreign visitors is a favourite pastime for Chinese visitors,  as is dressing  up

 The Dragon Screen.  Dragons they say, rise into the sky in the spring and plunge back to earth in the fall.  As the creature between heaven and earth they have come to be identified with the emperor

 Pavilion of 10,000 Spring Seasons.  One of 8 pavilions in the gardens