Shenyang's unofficial mascot & symbol: a
carved stone representation of one of the
original prehistoric inhabitants of northeast
China whom we irreverent foreign teachers
have dubbed "the Manchu Amazon."
There I am posed in front of the West Gate of the old wall that once surrounded the whole of the old Medieval city of Shenyang.
One of the more unique modern sights in the downtown area near the North Train Station: a new building in the shape of an old Chinese coin with the characteristic square hole in the middle. It is said to have good Feng Shui for attracting plenty of new business and - what else? - MONEY, of course!
The street just outside the main entrance to Shenyang's own "Forbidden City": the seat of the Manchu emperors before they conquered China proper and moved to the Imperial Palace/Forbidden City there.
A view of the royal courtyard just inside the main entrance of the Manchu Imperial Palace with the stunning contrast of modern downtown Shenyang forming a backdrop.
One of the "side courtyards" with the distinctive stone sculptures so necessary for generating the appropriate Feng Shui.
A view of the outside of the main throne room called the Dazhengdian Hall.
A look at the throne itself inside the
Dazhengdian Hall.
A second very ornate throne inside the Chongzhendian Hall.
The entrance to the tombs of the Manchu emperors of the Qing Dynasty - China's last emperors.
The main gate to the inner courtyards of the tombs
The Main Hall
Something called the Spirit Gate presumably where the spirits of the recently departed can leave - and return...
A look back at the "final tower" and the gargantuan hillock that functions as the tomb of the last Manchu emperor.
The imperial totem - symbol of ancient China
and the imperial court.