More of the Forbidden City

On the other side of the street from Tiananmen Square and Mao's mausoleum, the Forbidden City boasts many beautiful buildings erected during the time of the emperors. Many of the buildings have been recently refurbished, evident by the beautiful paintings. The lion pictured here is one of a pair. This is the mother, which you can tell by the cub playing under her paw. The male holds a ball under his paw, which signifies the world and power.