PHOENIX, Arizona, August 12. THE next episode of To Beijing and Back takes viewers through Beijing’s historic Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Host Brent Rutemiller details the artwork, the size and scope of the gates surrounding Tiananmen Square and how it protected the Forbidden City from attack when invaders would try to enter. Rutemiller says it took 14 years to build the Forbidden City in the 15th century, using 1 million workers. Other buildings in the square include the Hall of the People, which can seat 10,000 people, and other buildings for state functions.
Rutemiller guides viewers through other buildings in the square, including the building that holds Chairman Mao’s body that can be viewed by the public, with some restrictions.
Nine dragon sculptures guard the Forbidden City. One of them has the job of monitoring the behavior of the emperor on his departure from the city. Visitors to the gates are encouraged to touch the gates for good luck.
Another square before visitors officially enter the Forbidden City’s final gate was historically the place where the emperor’s visitors met and had small parties before having an audience with the ruler.
Animal sculptures on the top of buildings detail the importance of a particular building in the Forbidden City. On one building, a phoenix, seahorse, dragon, lion and a few mythical animals stand in front of the Monkey King, which signifies a regal building.
