Imperial Palacce

What is Beijing if you do not pay homage to the imperial palacce by visiting it.
We went last Saturday afternoon and were surprised to see quite alot of people even in winter. The entry ticket is abt S$10 per person. By my estimation, if there are abt 10 000 visitors in one day (maybe more but let's round it up), in one month, it will earn the govt $300 000. In one year, it will be $3.6 million. That is not including all the food, drink rentals and side exhibitions. Not too bad. But I think the masses is taking a toll on this 14th century monument.
Walking through this behemoth doesn't make me feel envious about the luxurious lifestyle of the emperial household. On the contrary, I feel a sense of deprivation and sadness for the isolation. All the pomp and grandeur couldn't hide it. I guess it wasn't meant to be cosy and warm and happy. It was meant to intimidate the lay person and elevate the throned one.
We started at abt one o'clock and finished in about 2 and 1/2 hour by walking in a straight line from south entrance to the North exit. We were pleasantly surprised that none of us actually had to look for a spot to sit or squat. 3 years ago, the kids had to struggle to finish. Guess 3 years is alot of growth and the cold weather is not as wearying as the late summer's.
By the time we finished, we were all more than ready to visit our favourite foot reflexology. It was well earned massage.