After entering the gate at the right side of the Forbidden City (the line for the middle section, formerly only for the emperor?fs use was just too long), we took the straight path to the end of the City right to the gift shops where the last emperor?fs (Pu-yi) younger brother?fs son sells his calligraphy. Despite being late March, the Forbidden City was middle-of-the-summer hot with no trees in site providing shade as they could be hiding places for assassins! We spent about 2 hours in the Forbidden City and barely scratched the surface. That was one thing I was soon to learn that I would have to come back to China for a real in-depth tour. I didn?ft get a chance to see the three things I was looking forward to: the concubine palaces, the nine dragon wall, and Starbucks! Don't forget to visit the Starbucks inside the Palace!Stopping at almost every red and white Walls freezer you can and pick-up a Magnum (chocolate covered ice cream), they are soooo delicious!

