Tale of two cities: Beijing and Taipei

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  The Pavilion of Eternal Autumn in the Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City in Beijing was built to more manageable specifications for the pleasure of the royal family. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  The largest assembly area in the Forbidden City, the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was the humbling first stop for dignitaries visiting the imperial court. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  Metal edging on wooden doors in the Forbidden City, Beijing, is emblazoned with dragons for power and clouds for royal supremacy, symbols popular with the Ming and Ching dynasties. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  A giant portrait of Chairman Mao looks down from the central portal of Meridian Gate, the main entrance to the Forbidden City. In imperial times, only the emperor could pass through the middle arch. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  At the northern end of the Forbidden City, the Pavilion of Imperial View crowns the Hill of Accumulated Elegance. Tradition has it that three times a year the emperor and his concubines would climb the artificial rockery and take in the view. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  At the Forbidden City in Beijing, miniature figures -- human and mythical -- atop yellow glazed tile rooftops indicate the importance of an imperial building. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  Visitors check out one of 308 cauldrons used to hold water for dousing fires in the Forbidden City -- not a particularly effective form of fire fighting since many of the massive wooden buildings were felled by fire. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  Chih-shan Garden, on the grounds of the National Palace Museum, continues the tradition of Sung and Ming dynasty gardens combining art and nature. NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM

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  The white of the seven-and-a-half inch high jadeite Chinese cabbage symbolizes purity. The locust and katydid carved atop the cabbage symbolize fertility. The masterpiece was given to a Ching dynasty emperor by the father of a royal concubine. The piece is at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan. NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM

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  The hanging scroll <em>A Palace Concert</em> captures a moment during the Tang dynasty (618-907) with court ladies at play. They're enjoying instruments and wine around a table with servants in the background and a little court dog under the table. The hanging is in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan. NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM

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  Cha for Tea, with a location near the National Palace Museum in Taipei, specializes in the culinary art of food prepared in luxury teas. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE

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  A short ride from the National Palace Museum, Taipei's Grand Hotel continues the imperial tradition of architectural grandeur. AMY STONE / TRAVEL ARTS SYNDICATE