[Beijing] Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty is a known Casanova who had many concubines, but he was also a caring father (to most of his children). Today along Zhang Zizhong Road (张自忠路), you will see a simple looking door with ancient Chinese features, it used to be the residence of Princess Hejing (固伦和敬公主) after she was married. Princess Hejing was the daughter of Emperor Qianlong and Empress Xiaoxian (孝贤皇后) and was given the highest rank among princesses. According to the imperial system, there were 2 grades of titles for the emperor’s daughter, if her mother is the empress, she would be given the first grade, and if she is born to a concubine, usually she will be given the second. Of course those that were born to princes, dukes and marquises would have lower ranks. Princess Hejing was married to Monglian prince Septeng Baljur, it was clearly a marriage of convenience, to secure the support from the Mongolian royals. As part of the arrangement, the Princess would follow her husband back to Mongolia but the Emperor missed her so much that he bent the rules and allow the couple to live in Beijing, thus the residence along Zhang Zizhong Road. Today, the Princess’ residence has been converted into a 3-star hotel, history buffs might want to consider put up here as it is also nearby several other princes’ mansions, which also indirectly indicated how much Emperor Qianlong has doted on her. 📍Beijing, China. 中国北京。🇨🇳 . . . #china #beijing #forbiddencity #travelthroughthelenses #nonmainstream #ancientchina #travelgram #igchina #history #chinahistory #chinagram #lovebeijing #lifeinbeijing #beijinger #chinese #chinesearchitecture #citygrammers #oldplaces #chinaexplorer #discoverchina #createexplore #historicalplace #instatravel #sihantravels #igdaily #instabeijing #notatourist #中国 #北京 #帝都

Hypostyle hall of the memorial temple of Ramesses ll (1279-1213 BC) ,19th Dynasty

[Beijing] Built in 1443 during Ming Dynasty, the Fahai Temple (法海寺) is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Cuiwei Moutain, Beijing’s outskirt. Historians believed that although the Temple was built by Li Tong, a powerful Ming eunuch, ostensibly to show his indebtedness to Emperor Yingzong (明英宗), Li had his own agenda, as his tomb sits just a few hundred meters away down the slope. For those who had read enough about the evils of the Ming eunuchs, you would know collectively, history -official and unofficial – has long painted them as a highly corrupted and greedy group, capable of not much except endless manipulation and incrimination of loyal officials. Many historians also blamed them for the fall of the Ming dynasty. Today, the Temple is more famous for its beautiful wall murals from the Ming dynasty, which include marvellous paintings of Bodhisattvas and heavenly deities. Visitors who wants to look at these paintings would be required to put on shoe gloves and will be given a torchlight as the hall with these murals are in complete darkness. It will be a very special experience and definitely worth the long car ride and some hiking in the mountain! 🔦 📍Beijing, China. 中国北京。🇨🇳 . . . #china #beijing #forbiddencity #travelthroughthelenses #nonmainstream #ancientchina #travelgram #igchina #history #love #chinagram #seetheworld #bitesize #beijinger #chinese #chinesearchitecture #citygrammers #oldplaces #chinaexplorer #discoverchina #createexplore #winter #instatravel #sihantravels #igdaily #instabeijing #notatourist #中国 #北京 #故宫