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A Tour of Two Cities
Just about 600 years ago the Chinese emperors of the Ming dynasty built the Forbidden City, the world's largest wooden palace, as a testament to the heavenly harmony of the Chinese Empire. Today, the emperor's house is still a site to behold, but China's modern leaders have kicked off a building program that boggles the mind. Each year for the past five years alone the country has added one billion square meters of residential housing -- the spatial equivalent of 1,388 Forbidden Cities. Join us as we explore China's past and present as reflected in the architectural wonders of Beijing.
If these Walls Could Talk
As both the ancient and the modern capital of China, Beijing is a jumble of highly stylized classical buildings, hulking Moscow-inspired halls, modernist experiments and drab public housing. For the trained eye of urban planning expert Dan Abramson, the history of Beijing can be read in its buildings.
Life in the Quadrangles
Nearly a third of Beijing's residents live in "quadrangles," squat, rectangular housing compounds constructed during China's imperial times. Find out how up to 18 families make the most of apartment buildings originally intended for four.
The Spy who Bored Me
Take a tour with Moore -- Roger Moore. Double-O-Seven tells Candide about the emperors, eunuchs and concubines of the forbidden city.
Virtually Forbidden City
You'll need the QuickTime VR virtual reality plug in. See what it's like to stand in the middle of one of the world's architectural wonders.
Made in China
