Nepal & China Nepal and China share a rich history of cultural and religious exchanges that date back to the age of Buddha, who lived in Nepal during the 5th century BCE. A key figure in this relationship is Buddhabhadra, a Nepali monk who journeyed on the silk road to China in the 5th century AD to impart Buddhist teachings to the Chinese. Sub-Menu: Anchor Links to Page Content
 Kathmandu, Nepal
 Lhasa, Tibet, China
 The Tibetan Holocaust
 The Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, China
 The City of Xi'an, China
 The Great Mosque of Xi'an
 The Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang
 Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China
 The Great Wall of China

 Sub-Menu KATHMANDU, NEPAL Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is located in a valley surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains. Nepal has a diverse geography, including fertile plains, subalpine forested hills, and eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including Mount Everest, which shares the border with China. At the heart of the old city, you will find Durbar Square, one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of the city's historic sites were damaged or destroyed in the 2015 earthquake, and efforts are underway to rebuild the palaces and temples of all three Durbar Squares.

Pagoda architecture is a prominent feature of Nepali temples. It features multiple levels or roof tiers, each with a broader base and gradually narrowing tops. Intricately carved wooden struts (tundals) support the roofs. This architectural style reflects a blend of Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Notable historical examples include the Nyatapol Temple and the Kumbheshwar Temple. These sites are awe-inspiring during Indra Jatra, a religious festival celebrated for its vibrant masked dances.

““1.) Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Nepali: भक्तपुर दरबार क्षेत्र) is a former royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur, Nepal.
““2.) It housed the Malla kings of Nepal from 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur from 15th to late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769.
““3.) The Durbar Square can also be found in Kathmandu and Patan as well. The one in Bhaktapur is the biggest and the grandest among the three
““Changu Narayan Temple, considered the first pagoda of Nepal dated 464 AD, became known as the valley's trademark for the multiple-roofed pagoda.
““Siddhi Laxmi Temple (17th century) in Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, Nepal
““ Fasidega Temple of Shiva in Durbar Square, made of terracotta, Bhaktapur, Nepal.
““Nyatapola, the tallest pagoda temple in Nepal, Height (max) 33.23 m, 108.26 ft, located in Bhaktapur, erected in 1702 by Nepali King Bhupatindra Malla, it has survived four major earthquakes the recent 7.8 magnitude April 2015.
““Bhairavnath 5-story Pagoda Temple in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, built by King Jagjjyoti Malla in 1614
““Kumbheshwar Pagoda Temple (Mahadev), is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal, part of Patan Durbar Square, built in 1392 by King Jayasthiti Malla
““1.) Swayambhunath (means 'Sublime Trees') is commonly referred to as “monkey temple” due to the abundance of monkeys that live in the many varieties of trees found on the hill
““2.) Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, founded in 464 CE, is an temple complex atop a steep hill with a whopping 365 steps, the white on round dome base represents the earth and the pair of eyes on the stupa mound represent wisdom and compassion of the Buddha
““3.) The white tall spire temples on opposite sides of the Stupa, Anantapur (left no.1) and Pratapur, (here no.3) were erected by king Pratap Malla in 1646, both were damaged by the 2015 Nepal earthquake, both have been completely restored
““4.) The Swayambhunath Temple monkeys are Arunachal macaque (Macaca munzala) is native to Eastern Himalayas of Bhutan, Nepal, China and India
““5.) The Arunachal macaque is a relatively large brown primate with a short tail. They live at high altitudes above 2000 m (6,500 ft) to 3500 m (11,500 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest-dwelling primates
““6.) The Arunachal macaque species name comes from mun zala, literally meaning “deep forest monkey”
““The Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Shiva. It is located in Kathmandu, Nepal near the Bagmati River.
““Pashupatinath, Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River, built in 1692 CE. classified as a World Heritage Site, 1979, an "extensive Hindu temple precinct" Kathmandu, Nepal
““Pashupatinath Temple, has a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river",

““1.) Nagarjun Hill View Point Hike Tour, Nagarjun is the nearest hill site of the Kathmandu Valley covered by thick forest with historical as well as natural settings. Situated north-west of Kathmandu it’s a part of Shivapuri National Park
““2.) It's a 2 hour or more hike up 7,000 feet to the top of Nagarjuna hill the trail passes through Raniban  Forest where you find a well-known sacred Buddhist stupa.
““3.) Nagarjun hill's main attraction is the Jamacho view point (2128 m) or 7,000 feet that has spectacular Himalayan scenery and views of the Kathmandu valley
““The holy men of Kathmandu known as Sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life, moksha (liberation), through meditation and contemplation of Brahman.
““The holy men of Kathmandu (Sadhus)often wear ochre-colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation with traditional painted face
““Wandering through the cities and forests the holy men (Sadhus) have left all materialistic pleasures behind to live a life devoted to God

 Sub-Menu Lhasa, TIBET, China
China, officially known as the People's Republic of China (PRC), is the largest country in East Asia. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the second-most populous country in the world, following India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and shares land borders with fourteen countries. Following the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong's Communist forces achieved victory over the Kuomintang forces led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, who subsequently fled to Taiwan. Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

Tibet, on the lofty Tibetan Plateau on the northern side of the Himalayas, is an autonomous region of China. It's nicknamed the “Roof of the World” for its towering peaks. It shares Mt. Everest with Nepal. Its capital, Lhasa, is the site of hilltop Potala Palace, once the Dalai Lama’s winter home, along with the Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s spiritual heart, revered for its golden statue of the young Buddha. The 14th Dalai Lama currently resides in McLeod Ganj, a town in Dharamsala, India, where he established the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in 1960 after fleeing Tibet during the 1959 uprising.
The Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet is named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, The 5th Dalai Lama started its construction in 1645.
The Potala Palace is a fortress built in the style of Dzong architecture and was home of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959, until Tibet came under the control of the Communist Party of China in 1951
The Potala Palace is part of The People's Republic of China and has been a museum since 1959
I on the roof of the Sera Monastery built in 1419 it is one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, located 2 km or 1.25 miles north of Lhasa and about 5 km or 3 miles north of the Jokhang Temple
I and The Potala Palace a fortress built in the style of Dzong architecture
White stupas in front of the Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lhasa, Tibet
The Jokhang Temple in the heart of Lhasa is considered the most sacred and important temple in Tibet built in the 7th century. (I with 2 french tourist next to the iconic rooftop statues of the Dharma wheel and two golden deers)
The iconic rooftop statues of the Dharma wheel and two golden deer on Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet, China
I next to, 7th century Dhvaja Golden Victory banner with Potala Palace in the distance from rooftop of Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet, China

 Sub-Menu THE TIBETAN HOLOCAUST
Some academics have described it as a form of Han settler colonialism. According to the Central Tibetan Administration, the government of Tibet is in exile, China's policy has allegedly resulted in the disappearance of Tibetan culture; this policy has been called a "cultural genocide", it is estimated that there was 15 million Tibetian murders by the People's Liberation Army of the Communist Chinese, after the 1959 Tibetan uprising and the flight of the 14th Dalai Lama in India to establish his Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
Between 1959 and 1976 all but a dozen of the approximately 6,000 monasteries, temples and shrines in Tibet were physically destroyed by the Chinese Cultural Revolution, often by dynamiting the ceilings
The Chinese Communist Party, was initiated by Mao and from 1962 to 1976 during the Cultural Revolution thousands of monks and nuns were forced to leave and "live a normal life", those who resisted were imprisoned or killed
The Cultural Revolution in China during the 1960's was characterized by violence and chaos, it is estimated that there was 15 million Tibetian murders
The Chinese Communist Party, continues a systematic religious persecution of Tibetians with large-scale bombing of monasteries, along with imprisonment, deportation, torture, and murder of the Tibetan people
(Ruins of a 12th century Fresco painting depecting Buddha's life) About 94% of the Chinese population is ethnically Han. Tibetans although very small in numbers, present a threat to the homogeneous Chinese national identity
The story of Tibet is a saga of the world’s apathy and indifference to cultural genocide of Tibetan Buddhism. Brutal decimation of an ancient, rich, and peace-loving culture by ruthless Red China
Ruins of a 12th century Tibetan Temple with only a part of a support column left after the Chinese Communist Party dynamited the ceilings
Ruins of a 12th century Fresco depecting Buddha's teachings on a wall of a Tibetan Temple after the Chinese Communist Party dynamited the ceilings
Ruins of Ganden Monastery, Tibet, founded in 1409, The monastery was destroyed by the People's Liberation Army in 1959, but has since been partially rebuilt. Tashi0 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Ruins of Ganden Monastery, Tibet, after the 1959 Tibetan uprising and the flight of the 14th Dalai Lama in India to establish his Tibetan Government-in-Exile.) CC BY-SA 3.0
Ruins of Drepung Monastery, Lhasa, founded in 1416, was destroyed by the People's Liberation Army in 1959. John Hill | CC BY-SA 4.0
Ruins of K'eu tshang Monastery, The Temple of the Sixteen Arhats, Tibet, destroyed by the People's Liberation Army of the Communist Chinese in 1959, Jan Reurink | CC BY-SA 2.0

 Sub-Menu Mogao Caves, DUNHUANG, CHINA
Dunhuang is a city in China’s northwestern Gansu Province, on the edge of the Gobi Desert. Once a frontier garrison on the Silk Road, it’s known today for the Mogao Caves, a complex of 492 grottoes adorned with Buddhist statuary and frescoes. Carved into the cliffs above the Dachuan River, the caves were created between the 4th and the 14th centuries.
The Gobi, is one of the world's great deserts, and a camel ride is a must. Join group tours, with camel drivers and ride across Echoing Singing-Sands Mountain after your visit to the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, China
Mogao Caves Entrance to the 492 cells and cave sanctuaries situated on a strategic point along the Silk Route at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences, Dunhuang, China
Riding camels through the Dunhuang Buddhist Cemetery on the way to visit the Mogao caves, Dunhuang, China
A Bodhisattva part of a fresco, Tang Dynasty, in cave 45 of Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, China
The entrance gate to the Mogao Caves, from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Dunhuang, China
Buddha statue, Tang Dynasty, at the Mogao grottoes in Dunhuang, China.
Dunhuang Mogao cave 96 is the most impressive it reflects the prosperity and the style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), The colossal Maitreya Buddha is 35.5 meters or 116 feet high it is the third largest Buddha in the world.
A spectacular 55-foot reclining Buddha statue focus's on attaining Nirvana from the Tang dynasty period c. 820 AD rests in Cave 158 of the Mogao Caves.
The Mogao Grottoes has one of the most important collections of Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) buddhist sculpture in the world and served as a religious and cultural crossroads for the Silk Road for over 15 hundred years
Mogao cave 148, The colossal statue of Sakyamuni attaining Nirvana, with his head to the south, and his feet to the north,
The colossal statue is a 60-foot reclining Buddha from the Tang dynasty, (618–907 AD) Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, China
The Mogao Grottoes are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Assembly Hall, Buddha from Mogao Cave 45, Tang Dynasty 781 AD
Assembly Hall, Painted sculpture from Cave 45, of Mogao Caves, Tang Dynasty 781 AD
Amitabha Buddha, painted in Mogao Cave 220 in the Early Tang Dynasty, 707-710 AD,
The Gobi Desert is a large cold desert grassland region in northern China and southern Mongolia, it's the sixth largest desert in the world.
The Gobi Desert is noted for it's Singing Sand Dunes known as the Duut Mankhan from the sound they make when the sand is moved by the wind, they are up to 300 meters or 984 feet high.
The Gobi Desert is a vast and arid region and it's known for its spectacular sand dunes, mountains and rare animals such as snow leopards, Bactrian camels, and black-tailed gazelles.

 Sub-Menu The City of Xi'an
Xi'an became the cultural and political center of China during the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from 1046 to 256 BC. As China’s first ancient capital, Xi'an is the starting point of the Silk Road and is famously home to the Terracotta Army and the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. China was unified for the first time under the Qin Dynasty, which lasted from 221 to 206 BC. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, commissioned the construction of the Terracotta Army and his mausoleum just east of Xi'an almost immediately after ascending to the throne. The original city wall of Xi'an began construction in 194 BC and took four years to complete. Furthermore, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built starting in 652 AD. This pagoda, which stands at 64 meters (approximately 209.97 feet) tall, was constructed to store translations of Buddhist sutras that Xuanzang brought back from India. During the Ming Dynasty, a new city wall was built in 1370, and it still remains intact today.
Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang dynasty, built in  648 AD, 64 m (209.97 ft) in height, built to store the translations of Buddhist sutras obtained from India by Xuanzang, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Qian Mausoleum, Tomb of Kao Tsung, (53 miles) northwest from Xi'an, Sixty-one Headless Vassals Figures sculpted in the 680s represents the "far-reaching power and international standing" of The Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), Shaanxi Province, China
Xi'an City Wall built in 1368 AD by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the largest fortified ancient military defensive systems in the world. Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Xi'an City Wall is on the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Site, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Bell Tower of Xi'an, located at the city center of downtown Xi'an, height: 36 meters (118 feet), built in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Bicycles to ride the City Wall for a incredible view of the city, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
South Gate barbican entrance of Xi'an built by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
One of many fortified Xian city wall pagoda watch towers, built during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Either on foot or bicycle the city wall has an incredible view of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China

 Sub-Menu THE GREAT MOSQUE OF XI'AN
The Great Mosque of Xi'an is a grand mosque located in the city of Xi'an, became the first mosque to stand in China. The mosque was founded in the 8th century AD. Although the mosque was first built in the year 742 AD during the Tang dynasty, its current form was largely constructed in 1384 AD during Emperor Hongwu's reign of the Ming dynasty. The Mosque of Xi'an is the largest and one of the most important Islamic places of worship in China, The Mosque was last reconstructed in the 18th century AD, in the Chinese/Islamic architectural style, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque of Xi'an is the first mosque in China, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The mosque was founded in the 8th century AD. and it still follows traditional Chinese Islamic architecture, Xi'an, 
Relief sculpture depecting a garden dating to the 8th century AD, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Construction began in AD 742, the first year of the Tianbao Era of Emperor Xuanrong's reign in the Tang Dynasty, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque was added to the UNESCO Islamic Heritage List in 1985, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Additions were made during the Song (960-1279), Yuan (1271-1638), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, which makes it a complex representation of ancient architecture from many time periods, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
In the Tang Dynasty, Islam was introduced to China by Arab traders. Many Muslims settled in China and married Han people, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque was built at that time to honor the founders of Islam in China. Since then many other mosques have been established throughout the region, Xi'an, 
The Great Mosque, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
The Great Mosque of Xi'an, mihrab and prayer rugs, Shaanxi Province, China

 Sub-Menu THE TERRACOTTA ARMY
The Terracotta Army Necropolis is a collection of terracotta sculptures portraying the armies of Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC), the first emperor of China. Dating approximately to 210–209 BCE. This extraordinary site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Initially, the figures were adorned with a lacquer finish in vibrant colors, including red, green, blue, purple, brown, pink, white, and black. Furthermore, numerous cavalry horses have been discovered in other adjacent pits alongside non-military terracotta figures representing officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. The Terracotta Army encompasses warriors, foot soldiers, chariots, and various non-military statistics, all of which were armed with authentic weapons, including crossbows, daggers, maces, spears, and swords. These impressive sculptures are currently displayed at the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses in the Lintong District of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

The 12 busts of the Terracotta Army (1-12 below) are unique, with no two figures being exactly alike. Each face shows distinct features, and scholars have categorized them into ten general types: Armored infantry, Unarmored infantry, Cavalrymen wearing pillbox hats, Helmeted charioteers who have heavier armor, Spear-wielding charioteers, Kneeling archers or crossbowmen who are armored, Standing archers who are unarmored, Generals, Lower-ranking officers, this diversity in the design highlights the individuality of each figure within the army. Also, cavalry and infantry units, as well as war chariots, are thought to represent a military guard with high-ranking officers.
1.) Terracotta Kneeling Archer Warrior wearing A Single-plate Crown
Terracotta Army, China2.) Terracotta Qin Warrior wearing a "Pill Hat" (or Pillbox Hat)
3.) Terracotta Chariot Warrior with a Sidehead Hair Style a Cone Bun
4.) Terracotta High-ranking Army General in He Crown
5.) Terracotta Warrior Kneeling Archer with a Cone Bun
6.) Terracotta Infantry Warrior with a Cone Bun Hairstyle
7.) Terracotta Cavalry Warrior in Hat
8.) Terracotta Middle-Rank Officer with a Double-plate Crown
Terracotta Army, China9.) Terracotta Middle-Rank Officer with a Single-plate Crown
10.) Terracotta Infantry Warrior in Hat
11.) Terracotta Infantry Warrior wearing a Flat Bun
12.)  Terracotta Standing Infantry Warrior wearing a Cone Bun
1.) View of Pit 1, and the Terracotta Army
2.) A Terracotta Group of Infantrymen of the first king of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC – 207 BC)
3.) Pit 1, 230m, 754 feet long, 62m, 203 feet wide and dug 5m, 16.4 feet deep into the ground
4.)  Cavalry figures in Pit 2 wear short armors, long tight pants as well as jackboots, with a crossbow and a bridle on the hands respectively.
5.) The Terracotta Army of the First of the Emperor, Qin dynasty
6.) About 8,000 warriors, 100 chariots, 400 horses, and more than 100,000 weapons have been unearthed from the three pits so far.
7.) The Xi'an Terracotta Army is a representation of the Qin State's troop formation with soldiers and chariots strategically arranged in the pits.
8.) Compared to terracotta officers, soldiers wore relatively simple armor coats which were made of plates only.
9.) The plates on the armor are larger and the quantity is less. The armor worn by terracotta soldiers have front sides and back sides as well.
10.) Terracotta Warrior officers were covered by armor with a smooth edge and colorful lace, which is used to protect them in battle.
11.) They are distinctive because of their armor, so they are also called the armor-dressed infantry figures.
12.) The diverse uniform styles also provide useful clue to their status.
13.)  The terracotta officers wear distinctive headgear, dual or single-layer knee-length gowns, pants, a pair of shoes, and are covered with a piece of colorful armor, looking grand and awe-inspiring.
14.) Most terracotta soldiers also wear a knee-length gown, a piece of armor, a hat or hood, pants and shoes or boots.
15.) Almost all of the terracotta officers were made with a flat bun covered by distinctive headgear.
16.) Platoons of Terracotta Infantry Warriors were buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, to accompany him during his eternal rest.
17.) Almost all the terracotta officers were covered by armor with a smooth edge and colorful lace, which is used to protect them in battle.
18.) The pits were found to hold about 8,000 exquisite figures and horses, including burly generals, resolute military officers, and vivid soldiers.
19.) Cavalries were very important for warfare. To select a qualified cavalryman, there were a lot of strict requirements
20.) Terracotta Warriors and Horses
21.) The saddle horses are mainly from the official stables at that time. The dynasty of Qin is especially known for its well-developed horse breeding.
22.) The horses in the Terracotta Army have the average height of 1.72m (5.6ft) and the length of 2m (2yd)
23.) Terracotta Cavalry Horse and Cavalryman
24.)  There are 116 Terracotta Saddle horses for Cavalrymen.
22.) 600 Terracotta horses are buried in the three pits of Terracotta Army.
23.) Terracotta Horses for the Chariots
24.) Terracotta pottery horses can be regarded as the masterpiece of realism arts because of the vivid-carved appearance

 Sub-Menu BEIJING THE CAPITAL OF CHINA
The Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing the capital of China, is a stunning testament to imperial power and rich cultural heritage. Commissioned in 1406 by the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), this remarkable complex was first occupied by the court in 1420. The name "Forbidden City" conveys an air of intrigue, as access was deliberately restricted for most of the realm’s subjects. A captivating myth surrounds this iconic site, suggesting that it contains 9,999 rooms—a figure that originates from oral tradition, although it lacks support from survey evidence. Designed to serve as the grand center of the ancient, walled city of Beijing, the Forbidden City not only showcases extraordinary architectural achievement but is also enveloped by the larger Imperial City. This breathtaking site invites visitors to delve into its rich history and immerse themselves in the lasting legacy of China’s imperial era.
1.) The Magnificent Hall of Supreme Harmony built by the Emperor of China from the Ming dynasty in 1420
2.) The Forbidden City lasted from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty, between 1420 and 1924
3.) China was taken over by Mao Zedong and the Communist Party of China, in 1949
1.) Entering The Forbidden City,
2.) and Imperial Palace complex,
3.) at the heart of Beijing
1.) The Imperial Ancestral Temple, a historic site in the Imperial City,
2.) just outside the Forbidden City, during the Ming and Qing dynasties,
3.) where sacrificial ceremonies were held during important festivals
1.) Tiananmen Gate with the picture of Mao, at Tiananmen Square
2.) gate to The Forbidden City and Imperial Palace complex,
3.) Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Me with tour guide at The Forbidden City
Entering Tiananmen Gate with the picture of Mao above
Tiananmen Square, best known for the 1989 protests and massacre that ended with a military crackdown due to international media coverage, (me wearing Mongolian racoon hat)
1.) Entrance to Memorial Hall and Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, (far left corner) Chinese Communist Party West Sculpture of Fighting Soldiers Monument, Tiananmen Square
2.) Entrance to Memorial Hall and Mausoleum of Mao Zedong Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party until his death in 1976, one of Beijing's gruesome spectacles, Mao Zedong's refrigerated embalmed corpse on public display behind glass, Tiananmen Square
3.) Entrance to Memorial Hall and Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, (far right corner) Heroic Group Sculpture of Revolutionary Soldiers, Workers, and Peasants, Tiananmen Square
The National Museum of China, is an art and history museum, with 200,000 square meters or 1.3 million square ft., built in 1959, Tiananmen Square
Monument to the People's Heroes, cut marble & granite, Height: 38 metres (125 ft), completed: 1958, Tiananmen Square
The Great Hall of the People, completed in 1956, is used for legislative activities for the government of the People's Republic of China at Tiananmen Square
The Bell Tower of Beijing, built in the 13th century during the Yuan dynasty
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing was visited by the Emperors of the Ming to the Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest,
The Drum Tower of Beijing, built in the 13th century during the Yuan dynasty
Entrance to The Yonghe Temple, or Lama Temple, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694, located on 12 Yonghegong Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
The Yonghe Temple, or Lama Temple, Hall of Harmony and Peace, Lama Temple, Beijing
The Yonghe Temple, or Lama Temple, Statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva enshrined in the Tanzong Hall, Beijing
Statue of the Maitreya Buddha, white sandalwood, 18m or 60 foot high, in main hall, Lama Temple, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694
The Hall of Harmony and Peace (雍和宮), Lama Temple,  fountain and incense burner, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694
The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses, Lama Temple, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694
Entrance thru Zhaotai Gate, to the Hall of Harmony and Peace, Lama Temple, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694
Lama Temple, The main building and its many halls and walk way connections, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694
The Shrine of Tsongkhapa, 1357–1419, was an influential Tibetan Buddhist monk, philosopher and tantric yogi, Lama Temple, Sect: Tibetan Buddhism, built in 1694
The Temple of Confucius in Beijing is the place where people paid homage to Confucius during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the temple now houses the Beijing Capital Museum, built 1302
Confucius Statue at the Confucius Temple Beijing, carved marble in 1369
700 YEAR OLD CYPRESS, Chujian Bai (Touch of Evil Cypress) Temple of Confucius Beijing,

 Sub-Menu The GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups. Several walls have been built since the 5th century BC that are referred to collectively as the Great Wall, which has been rebuilt and maintained from the 5th century BC through the 16th century. The Great Wall is reputed as one of the seven construction wonders in the world not only for its long history, but its massive construction size, and its unique architectural style as well. A great army of manpower, composed of soldiers, prisoners, and local people, built the wall. I visited 3 different sections of The Great Wall: Badaling, Simatai, and the Han Dynasty of Qin Shi Huang from 3rd century BC. in the Gobi Desert.
1.) The Badaling Great Wall Entrance, 43 miles from Beijing is the favorite of the Chinese and tourist
2.) Built and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644, Badaling is the best maintained section of The Great Wall, Beijing
3.) There are 43 towers on the Badaling section of the Great Wall near Beijing
4.) The Wall winds up and down the mountain ridges with incredible scenic views, Beijing
5.) Badaling Great Wall was built in the Ming Dynasty (1505) to occupy a commanding and strategic position for protecting Beijing and the Juyongguan Pass
6.) The highest point of Badaling is Beibalou at 1,015 meters, (3,330 ft) and the view is magnificent, Beijing
7.) I and other traveling tourist at the Simatai Great Wall, a section located 120 km or 75 miles north-east of Beijing, in Miyun County, built during the Qi Dynasty (550–577 AD), Miyun
8.) The Simatai Great Wall in Miyun, continues to wind along the rolling hills for enless miles, not as well maintained as Badaling but worth the visit
9.) The Simatai Great Wall in Miyun, has 17 watchtowers hanging precariously onto the Yan Mountains known for their steepness
10.) Ruins of the original Han Dynasty Great Wall in the Gobi Desert, 2nd Century BC, Dunhuang
11.) Ruins of the watchtower at Yumen Pass, the Great Wall, built by Emperor Wudi, around 121 BC, Han dynasty, in the Gobi Desert, Dunhuang
12.) Ruins of the original Han Dynasty Great Wall in the Gobi Desert, 2nd Century BC, Dunhuang

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