Words and Pictures

One of the reasons why the Forbidden City has lasted so long is because a good portion of it is made out of stone, marble or masonry. The buildings all rest on stone foundations, but they are built of wood and have all two frequently burned to the ground. The stonework however is disappearing more slowly, gradually being worn away by the rain and pollution. This scene, taken in front of the Tai He Dian, captures the stone steps and many of the short walls that serve as a short fence or guardrail around each layer of the foundation.