[Pudu Temple, Beijing] Judging from the name and the appearance of this monument today, it may just sound or look like any other similar looking place of worship in Beijing or China, but this is a place that’s filled with stories. First in the year 1442, the Emperor Yingzong of Ming dynasty (明英宗) personally led a half million strong army to fight against the Mongols but was met with one of the most humiliating battles in Chinese history, at least 100 000 Ming soldiers were crushed by the Mongol cavalry. The emperor himself was captured alive by the enemy and the news shook the Ming empire to its core, his younger brother was installed as the new ruler known as Emperor Jingtai (景泰帝). Although Emperor Yingzong was released one year later, he was immediately put under house arrest by Emperor Jingtai for almost 7 years. During this time, he was locked up in this place which was later renamed as Pudu Temple (普渡寺) during Qing dynasty. I chanced upon this place while walking to the Forbidden City from Wangfujing, it took me about 3 years to realise this was where Emperor Yingzong was held captive and it was also the former residence of Dorgon (多尔衮), a Manchu prince and regent of the early Qing dynasty! The discover almost blew my mind as initially I thought this was just any other ordinary place of worship! 😃 📍Beijing, China. 中国北京。🇨🇳 . . . #china #beijing #forbiddencity #travelthroughthelenses #nonmainstream #ancientchina #travelgram #igchina #history #love #learnsomethingnew #seetheworld #bitesize #beijinger #chinese #chinesearchitecture #citygrammers #oldplaces #chinaexplorer #discoverchina #createexplore #instagram #instatravel #sihantravels #igdaily #instabeijing #notatourist #中国 #北京

I am the cavalry. Pay a little attention and you’ll see a humanoid like facial composition (arm and shoulders too) looking up to the top right of the frame, with a rather grumpy mouth line. If I was a filmmaker, I’d name this alien race Needel Chins, and here’s their formidable and intelligent army general - Strapfoot Sin. He is one of thousands of colour morphing reptilians that inhabit the humid rainforest ecosystem on planet Brneak. The truth is, its an uncooperative female angle headed lizard, that just didn’t wanna pose for my camera.

Vintage smock, Shetland wool pullover and cavalry twill trousers. Pic by @xyarvin