Just outside of Beijing -- where we thought the pollution might get better (it didn't) was the Ming Tombs. From the guidebook: "The resting place for 13 of the 16 Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) emperors, this is China's finest example of imperial funerary architecture. The site was selected because of tis auspicious feng shui alignment, a ridge of mountains to the north cradles the tombs on three sides, protecting the dead from the evil spirits carried by the north wind."
Interestingly, the pollution has been such an issue around the tombs for quite some time. There are unopened tombs, that the archeologists cannot open because once the polluted air hits the treasures inside -- it will disintegrate the cloths, rust the metals and tarnish the silvers. Its really sad. The ones that are open had a number of items salvaged from them, and they were certainly wonderful to look at!
Jason is standing in front of the Chang Ling tomb. His was the oldest and greatest tomb. The tomb of his wife and 16 concubines is nearby his, but has never been opened.
Interestingly, the pollution has been such an issue around the tombs for quite some time. There are unopened tombs, that the archeologists cannot open because once the polluted air hits the treasures inside -- it will disintegrate the cloths, rust the metals and tarnish the silvers. Its really sad. The ones that are open had a number of items salvaged from them, and they were certainly wonderful to look at!
Jason is standing in front of the Chang Ling tomb. His was the oldest and greatest tomb. The tomb of his wife and 16 concubines is nearby his, but has never been opened.
The money burner. This is a money burner for offerings to the emperor. At the time we saw it -- it was fulled with half burned yuan (Chinese currency).
This is the hall of Eminent Favor. The 32 cedar columns supporting the roof actually come from Chengdu in the Sichuan province. (Where the earthquake was...)
There is no real reason for the picture -- I just like it!
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