The bird's eye model view, as it was in Imperial times.
We started in Tiannamen, near the Mao-soleum, which is closed for renovation.
These folks were happy to be there.
I scared my first Chinese children today. His brother and sister couldn't be persuaded. Sorry I cut out the Great Helmsman: you can just see the tip of his head behind the boy.
Did I mention it was raining?
The whole time the group was there?
Well, on and off, anyway.
It seemed really crowded, because folks were fighting for shelter.
We were also part of the initial crush of visitors for the day.
Or maybe it was just our tour route.
Rubbing the character lets you bring good luck home with you.
Shake it.
Kids are the same everywhere.
When we got to the end, I ditched the group and had a rest.
Compare the earlier crowd...
...with an hour later.
The big pots are firefighting water storage.
We call this Chinglish.
