Beijing, China: Forbidden City

I love this picture so much I thought I should share it. I was so affected by the crowds at the Forbidden City you see, that I decided to pay the authorities an undisclosed amount to have the whole place to myself for a whole hour before sunset. The things that only money can buy.


It's a different feel altogether when you're alone in such a vast space, so full of history, culture and of course, mystery. As you walk through the courtyards and alleys there's this sense that you're being followed, or even studied, by the ancient owners, guards and maids who probably were amused by my less than regal dressing. And yet with the fullest respect that you accord to them, so would they to you.


At sunset, the Forbidden City has a unique charm of its own. A camera alone cannot fully capture the beauty of it all, as the sun rays fall gently on the bright rooftops, one-by-one. It's a lot more about feeling than trying to put everything onto a picture - what you need to do is to just stop, admire and feel.


As night drew closer, I took my leave, out to the common entrance where everyone else were gathered. Some huddled around a pushcart selling traditional Chinese sweets, no doubt buying a sweet treat or two to keep their spirits up as the cold winter evening dawned upon the city.


Me, I had a hot cup of instant Xiangyue Yuanwei Milk Tea, and it was at once refreshing, and comforting. Turning the cup, the image of S.H.E brought back memories of my secondary school and junior college days, when I was quite a fan actually. How time flies. Holding the cup in my gloved hands I walked on, further and further away from the halls of emperors.

Pictures taken with the Canon EOS 500D.