Temples

Very touristy day, going round the two central (and rather tourist-infested) temples, one Confucian and one a Lama Buddhist. Both beautiful as might be expected, but the Buddhist one especially was active and as a tourist I felt a little uncomfortable. Just a voyeur. Nonetheless, the 19 metre statue (carved from a single piece of sandalwood in Nepal!) is extraordniary. I actually did just stand there with my mouth hanging open. Can't take pictures there though. Sorry
Many buildings here have guardian lions: the male, traditionally on the right side, has a paw on an orb or ball. The female on the left has a cub.

This one appears to have a walkway between the temples (there must have been 10 or so in the complex)

And lots of incense.

The Confucian temple was more my thing. Exam results from hundreds of years ago were carved in stone and placed here.

Free standing gates impress the visitor

There is also a chamber wherein the Emperor gave his lessons