These are the days of My Life - Beijing, China Summer Palace

The formal gardens were in full bloom.

As I have said in the past, all the best views are at the top of the mountain so up I go once again.  I was told that the gardens behind the Forbidden City house a Buddha Temple from where you can see the whole of layout of the Forbidden City.

And my sources were correct.  The Forbidden City is immense.

There it is, The all of the Forbidden City, 5 gates from front to back which pictured is the back.  Tienanmen is across the street on the far back of the picture not viewable in this picture.

Beijing city scape beyond the Forbidden City.  What a great day for viewing the skyline.

This is one of the outer wall sentry post as viewed from the Temple mound.

This is one of the many city lakes where boaters are enjoying a beautiful day on the water.

My main man...Buddha.

Ceremonial Gate

After having been locked out of the Forbidden City I have been left o wander along the moat to the front so that i can attempt my return to the Hostel from the direction that I arrived.  Good luck as I am about to find out.

Just when I think that I have made it back to the front of the Forbidden City by following the moat I come to yet another gate.  This one is open and I begin to smile only to realize that the Chinese Military are standing there in full force with a small, really small chain link directly across the main route to the front exit.  Can I tell you how pathetic that I can look as a tourist in a foreign land about to have my only know exit blocked by Chinese Military.  Well, it worked, there was a General, Colonel, Major...ok it was some teenager in military wear who spoke into his bullhorn and miraculously the chain link was lowered and myself and about 30 Chinese were allowed to scamper, scurry,...heck run like crazy toward the front gate of the Forbidden City just as those big RED doors were being closed. 

Had a great time...see you next time.