Former French Legation Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central

The imposing red gateway here, bearing a passing resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe, belonged to the French Legation. The two Chinese lions flanking the entrance attest to its earlier role as the stately home of a Qing dynasty prince. The compound became the CPC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs after 1949, and is guarded by the military, who object to photographs.