A combination picture shows the Forbidden City in Beijing taken August 1, 2008 (top) and a three dimensional virtual tour of the Forbidden City October 10, 2008.[Agencies]
Culture fans thousands of miles from Beijing can now visit its famous Forbidden City, through a three dimensional recreation of the vast palace that also allows them to dress up as an imperial eunuch and meet a courtesan.
One of the jewels in China's cultural crown, the sprawling complex in the heart of the capital already gets tens of thousands of real-life visitors each day.
But now online tourists can also watch the Qing dynasty emperor feast at dinner, train fighting crickets and feed them with blood-fattened mosquitoes, or practice archery with the help of a courtesan.
At the virtual palace, unveiled on Friday, they can also dress up as part of the huge imperial entourage.
"When you enter the Forbidden City you choose one of nine historical costumes, which is to give a sense of history but also keep a sense of decorum," said John Tolva, program manager at IBM who led the project, dubbed "Beyond Space and Time."
"You can't run and you can't fly," he added, a restriction that aims to prevent other virtual visitors, whom you can see and interact with, being distracted.
The program does not shy away from the racier sides of imperial history, shaped in part by the legions of eunuchs who controlled portions of court life and could rise to great power.
"One of the costumes you can chose is a eunuch," said IBM Vice President Paula W. Baker -- though to spare blushes that avatar is only labeled "imperial servant."
They also appear in some of the bureaucratic roles they might have filled hundreds of years ago.
"There are eunuchs, for instance in the 'approving imperial memorials' scenes," Tolva added.
Those who are interested in other intimate aspects of the emperor's life have a chance to get an up close look at the women chosen to serve him.
"There is a painting being done of the emperor and the courtesans are there, orbiting about tending to him while the painter does his job," Tolva said.
"And for all the activities where you actually do something there is an attendant who is styled as a courtesan."
The museum hopes the program, which is based on computer gaming software, will earn new fans for a cultural landmark which survived China's tumultuous 20th century in remarkably good form.
It has been over three years in the making and cost over $3 million, provided by IBM as part of a community program.
Exacting curators feel the result offers a good introduction to the palace, but worry there has been a certain sacrifice of historical accuracy for the convenience of a modern visitor.
"You wouldn't have been able to just wander around like this," said Hu Chui, director of the Information Department, gesturing at a soldier avatar striding toward a central hall.
"You would have been kowtowing and anyway, he is on the imperial pathway. You would get arrested for that."
Actress Gemma Arterton is shown in a scene from the 2008 James Bond series film "Quantum of Solace" in this undated publicity photograph. Arterton is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Olga Kurylenko is shown in a scene from the 2008 James Bond series film "Quantum of Solace" in this undated publicity photograph. Kurylenko is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Rosamund Pike is shown in a scene from the 2002 James Bond series film "Die Another Day" in this undated publicity photograph. Pike is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Halle Berry is shown in a scene from the 2002 James Bond series film "Die Another Day" in this undated publicity photograph. Berry is one of the "Bond Girls," women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Denise Richards is shown in a scene from the 1999 James Bond series film "The World Is Not Enough" in this undated publicity photograph. Richards is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Sophie Marceau is shown in a scene from the 1999 James Bond series film "The World Is Not Enough" in this undated publicity photograph. Marceau is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Barbara Bach is shown in a scene from the 1997 James Bond series film "The Spy Who Loved Me" in this undated publicity photograph. Bach is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Michelle Yeoh is shown in a scene from the 1997 James Bond series film "Die Another Day" in this undated publicity photograph. Yeoh is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]
Actress Famke Janssen is shown in a scene from the 1995 James Bond series film "Goldeneye in this undated publicity photograph. Janssen is one of the "Bond Girls" women who have starred opposite the character of James Bond in the action film series.[Agencies]WASHINGTON -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Washington Friday for a summit to discuss issues concerning financial markets and the global economy.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) and his wife Liu Yongqing (1st R) arrive in Washington, capital of the United States, on Nov. 14, 2008, for a summit to discuss issues concerning financial markets and the global economy. [Xinhua]
President Hu, and other leaders from the Group of Twenty (G20) members, have been invited by US President George W. Bush to Saturday's meeting, the first in a series of summits to mitigate what economists predict could be a long and deep downturn.
Later in the evening, the Chinese president is expected to attend a dinner hosted by Bush for all the leaders.
"The leaders will review progress being made to address the current financial crisis, advance a common understanding of its causes, and, in order to avoid a repetition, agree on a common set of principles for reform of the regulatory and institutional regimes for the world's financial sectors," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino last month in making the announcement of the summit.
At a press briefing last week, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said that China expects to build a fair, inclusive and efficient international financial system.
"We hope to consult with other participants to reform the international financial system and finally try to establish a fair, inclusive and efficient system," He said.
He said that China would take an active part in the summit-related activities in a constructive attitude, work together with all the parties for the achievement of pragmatic outcome, and impel the international community to tackle the financial crisis in a timely, comprehensive and effective manner.
The members of the G20 include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain,Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the president of the World Bank, the secretary-general of the United Nations and the chairman of the Financial Stability Forum have also been invited to the Washington summit.
Washington is the first leg of President Hu's five-nation trip. He will later pay state visits to Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru and Greece. During his stay in Peru, he will attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima.
from China Daily
