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Forbidden City
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The Forbidden City situated exactly in the heart of the municipality was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The construction of the grand palace started in the fourth year of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1406) and ended in 1420. In the ancient time, the emperor claimed to be the son of the heaven and therefore their supreme power was conferred upon them from the heaven. Their residence on the earth was built as a replica of the Purple Palace where the God lived in the Heaven. Such divine place was certain forbidden for the ordinary people and it is why the Forbidden City is so called.
The museum is a real treasures house of Chinese cultural and historical relics, recognized as one of the most important five palaces in the world (the other four are the Palace of Versailles in France, the Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US and the Kremlin in Russia). The splendid architecture of the Forbidden City represents the essence and culmination of the traditional Chinese architectural accomplishment.
China Highlights provides a range of tours to explore China's capital city and Forbidden City. Follow the link for the most popular tour packages.
In 1961 the Palace Museum was listed as one of the important historical monuments under the special preservation by the Chinese central government and in 1987, it was nominated as the world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.
The Forbidden City is the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.
The Forbidden City covers an area of about 72 hectares with a total floor space of approximately 150, 000 square meters. It consists of 90 palaces and courtyards, 980 buildings and 8,704 rooms. To represent the supreme power of the emperor from the God and the place where the he lived being the center of the world, all the gates, palace and other structures of the Forbidden City were arranged on both sides of the south-north central axis.
Forbidden City Travel Guide
Any tour of Berijing would be incomplete without a vist to the Forbidden City. See the range of tours offered at China Highlights.
Most travelers enter the Forbidden City from the Tian'anmen Gate. Through the gate, across a expansive brick - paved square, you will reach the main entrance to the palace, the Meridian Gate (Wumen in Chinese). The Meridian gate was the place where the Emperor announced the new lunar calendar on the winter solstice. Enter the Meridian Gate, and go across the Golden Stream Bridge you will arrive at the outer court. The Forbidden City falls into two parts: the outer court and the inner palaces.
The outer court is made up of three main buildings, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian). These halls were where the emperors attended the grand ceremonies and conducted state affairs. The first hall waiting for you is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important and largest structure in the Forbidden City. The emperors' Dragon Throne (Longyi) is in this hall. Behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian), the resting place of the emperor before presiding over grand events held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Emperors would rehearse their speeches and presentations here before departing to the Temple of Heaven for the sacrifice rites. The last hall is the Hall of the Preserving Harmony used for banquets and later for imperial examinations.
Out from the Hall of the Preserving Harmony, you will notice a huge block of marble carved with cloud and dragon designs. Go straight, and you will see another gate, called Gate of Heavenly Peace (Qianqingmen). This is the main gateway to the inner living court.
The inner court is composed of the three main structures at the rear of the Forbidden City, namely the Palace of Heavenly Peace (Qianqinggong), the Palace of Union and Peace (Jiaotaidian) and the Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunninggong). Besides the three main buildings there are the six eastern palaces and six western palaces, where the emperor used to handle every day affairs and was the living quarters for the emperor, expresses and concubines. Those palaces have been converted into exhibition halls, where a spectacular set of imperial collections is displayed.
The first structure inside the inner court is the Palace of Heavenly Peace, the emperors' sleeping quarters. Behind it is the Palace of Union and Peace, where the imperial seals were stored. The third hall is the Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility, the emperors' wedding room. Exiting and going further north, travelers will find the Imperial Garden. The garden offers an aesthetic change from the crimson and gray building complex to a colorful and luxuriant atmosphere. On the left side of the inner court, travelers will find the Mental Cultivation Hall (Yangxindian), the most important building except for the Hall of Supreme Harmony. From the time of the third emperor, Yongzhen, all the Qing emperors, 8 in total resided in this hall. The palaces on the eastern and western sides, the former residences of the concubines have been converted into exhibition halls.
The main exit gate of the Forbidden City is the Gate of Divine Might, behind the Imperial Garden.
For security the Forbidden City is enclosed by a 10 meter high city wall, which has a circumference of 3, 430 meters. At each corner of the Forbidden City, there stands a magnificent watchtower, which was heavily guarded in the past. Around the city there is a moat as the first line of defense.
Meridian Gate(Wu Men)
The Meridian Gate is the main entrance to the Forbidden City. It was called Meridian Gate because the emperor believed that the Meridian line went right through the Forbidden City and his imperial residence was the center of the cosmos. In addition, according to the ancient Chinese compass, the Meridian indicates the south, so the Gate also serves as the southern gate to the Forbidden City.
The Meridian gate was the place where the Emperor announced the new lunar calendar on the Winter Solstice (the first day of the 19th lunar month) each year. When ageneral returned from a battle, his captives would be "offered" to the emperor in a ceremony here, which was known as a victorious ceremony of "Accepting War Captives." Before this ceremony the Emperor would pay sacrifice to altars such as the Altar of Earth and Grain (in today's Zhongshan Park)and the Altar of Imperial Ancestry (today's Cultural Palace of the Working People), which are close to the Meridian Gate.
It is said that the capital punishment was carried out outside the Meridian gate but the there are no accurate records to verify this. Nonetheless the famous "Ting Zhang" or Court Beating (a penalty to punish those offending officials by beating them with heavy sticks on their hips) did take place in the courtyard in front of the gate.
It is recorded that in 1519, more than 130 officials tried to dissuade Emperor Zhu Hongzhao of the Ming Dynasty from going out to the south to select beautiful girls. The official's discouragement offended the Emperor and these officials were beaten and 11 of whom were even beaten to death on the spot. Fortunately, this cruel punishment was abolished in the following Qing Dynasty.
Through the Meridian Gate, across the Golden Stream Bridge is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It was the highest and most important building throughout the nation during the Ming and Qing times.
Hall of Supreme Harmony(Taihe Hall)
Hall of Supreme Harmony is heart of the immense Forbidden City palace complex. It is the grandest and the most important building in the nation.
Hall of Supreme Harmony is translated to mean the Hall of Supreme Harmony and is also know as the "Hall of Gold Throne". The 35.5 meters high hall has a double-layered roof which represents the highest construction rank in the whole empire and thus is exclusively for the emperor. Covering a floor area of 2,377 square meters, the grand hall is the largest wooden structure in the world. No building in Beijing was allowed to be higher than it during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, because of its symbol of imperial power.
The Hall was used for grand ceremonies such as the Emperor's enthronement ceremony, the Emperor's wedding and the ceremony for conferring the Empress. During these occasions the Emperor came to the hall to receive congratulations from the civil and military officials. In addition, the Emperor met high-ranking officials and dispatched generals to the battles from this place.
The hall has a variety of furnishings for the exclusive use of the Emperor. The Emperor's throne was placed on a two-meter high white jade dais in the center which was adorned with gilt and engraved with patterns of clouds and nine dragons. The grand throne was surrounded by the six huge golden pillars, engraved with dragons representing the supreme dignities and power of the Emperor. Behind the throne was a carved gilt screen and on either side there are incense burners in the shape of the mythical unicorn signifying the obedience of all other kingdoms. In front of the dais, there stand several bronze vessels, turtle cranes and cloisonné incense burners which combined to carry the message of eternity of the empire. The gilded caisson ceiling high above the throne has a magnificent sculpture of a twisting dragon playing with a huge pearl called Xuanyuan Jing. This represented the orthodox succession of the emperor's divine power and was believed to be able to ward off evils for the emperor. The hall was built on a three-layered white jade platform. Below the balusters of the platform there are many marble dragon heads with open mouths. These beautiful sculptures also have practical usage: water discharge. In front of the hall is a huge white marble sculpture with a picture called Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl. The pearl is a symbol of good luck, while the two dragons represent the God in the Heaven and the Emperor himself. This picture tells everybody that the Emperor receives his divine power from God.
Behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the Hall of Central Harmony.
Hall of Central Harmony(Zhonghe Hall)
Hall of Central Harmony is between the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. It served as the resting place for the emperor before presenting the grand occasions held in the Taihe Hall. Emperors would rehearse their speeches and presentations here before their departures to the Temple of Heaven for the sacrifice rites.
This Hall was first constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty however the original hall was devastated by fire and the one visitors see today was reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty.The Hall derived its name from the essence of the Confucianism after the renovations. The exterior of the hall takes the shape of a square. Inside the hall, on each side of the golden throne, stand two unicorns, symbolizing the emperors' talent and wisdom.
Go to visit the last one of the three main hall: Hall of Preserving Harmony.
Hall of Preserving Harmony(Baohe Dian)
The last one of the three main halls in the outer court, this is where the Emperor rested and changed clothes before departing for such important rites as selecting the Empress or Crown Prince. After the time of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, the Imperial Palace Exams were also held in this hall every three years. The palace exam was presided
over by the emperor himself and was the highest examination nationwide in feudal China. During the Qing Dynasty the Emperors held grand banquets to entertain the nobles from minority ethnic groups such as the Mongolians on the first and fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year.
When exploring the three main halls in the Forbidden City, travelers may notice a number of large marble blocks or rocks on the road. The most impressive one is the huge marble ramp behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony, which was carved with cloud and dragons design. It is 16. 07 meters long, 3.07 meters in width and 1.7 meters in thickness, and weighs about 200 tons. This huge rock was quarried from Fangshan District, around 70 kilometers southwest of Beijing. On the ramp, the nine dragons fly behind the floating clouds representing the unity of the great empire and the Emperor's divine power granted by the God.
Out from the Hall of the Preserving Harmony, you will notice a huge marble carved with cloud and dragons design. Go straight, you will see another gate, called Gate of Heavenly Peace(Qianqingmen). This is the main gateway to the inner living quarters.
Gate of Heavenly Peace(Qianqingmen)
Gate of Heavely Peace is the main gateway to the inner living quarters of the Forbidden City. During the Qing Dynasty, a throne was placed at the gate for the emperor to give audience to the government officials. This showed the Emperor's great concern over the important national affairs. Upon entering the gate, the rooms on the east were study rooms for the Emperor's children while on the west were the offices of the court bodyguards and servants.
Passing through the Gate of Heavely Peace, you will arrive at the innner palaces. The first structure inside the inner court is the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong) - the emperors' sleeping place.
Palace of Heavenly Peace(Qianqing Gong)
Palace of Heavely Peace is the largest building of the three rear palaces. It was the palace where the Emperor slept. During the reigns of Emperor Shunzhi and Emperor Kangxi, this building functioned as an audience chamber for foreign envoys and high-ranking governmental officials. On such important occasions as the New Years Day, Lantern Festivals, Duanwu Festival, Mid-autumn Festival, Chongyang Festival, Winter Solstice and the birthday of the Emperor, he would be present here to receive the congratulations from his officials and provide a great feast in return.
The hall was also used as a place for the Emperor's body to lie in State after his death. During the Qing Dynasty, no matter where the emperor died, his coffin was carried to the capital and placed in the hall for several days for memorial ceremonies.
Behind the plaque hanging in the middle of the hall lays an important box, which could shape the destiny of the crown prince. From the time of the Emperor Yongzheng, the name of the Crown prince who had been chosen to succeed the Emperor would be written in duplicate documents. One copy was kept by the Emperor while the other one was sealed in the box and placed behind the plaque. If the names on each copy were the same, the designated prince could ascend to the throne. Hiding the crown prince's name was supposed to avoid the usurpation of the throne and the idea seemingly worked. The fierce scramble for the throne declined to a minimum during the later Qing times.
Behind the Palace of Heavenly Peace is Palace of Union and Peace(Jiao Tai Dian), where the imperial seals were stored．
Palace of Union and Peace(Jiao Tai Dian)
This was the place where the empress held the important ceremonies for the New Year Day and her birthday.
In 1748, Emperor Qianlong kept 25 imperial seals in this hall in the hope of his empire lasting 25 reigns to surpass the East Zhou Dynasty, the longest dynasty in China. Now the 25 imperial seals are displayed in the Treasure House of the Forbidden City.
Additionally there is a water clock on the eastern side of the palace. It is China's most outstanding timepiece from ancient times.
On the western of the building there stands a large chiming clock. The clock was cast in 1798 over 200 years but is still in good working order.
Go to see the Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility ( Kunninggong) to have a look at what the spoiled emperors' wedding room looks like.
Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunning Hall)
Kunning Hall was built during the Ming Dynasty and reconstructed during the early Qing time. It served as the sleeping place for the Empresses.
The Manchu Qing rulers were not satisfied with the palace in its Han style and rebuilt it to the current Manchu's style to replicating their palaces in Shenyang which was their capital before their entry to central China.
It was in this palace that the last Ming Empress hanged herself after the Peasant Rebellion ransacked the capital.
The two chambers at the eastern end were used as the Emperor's wedding rooms during the Qing Dynasty and generations of Qing emperors lived there for a few days after their wedding. The chambers were painted in red, embodiment of happiness and good luck.
After having visited so many palaces and halls, you may want to have an aesthetic change. Head for the Imperial Garden to enjoy a refreshing rest.
Hall of Mental Cultivation(Yang Xin Dian)
During the Qing Dynasty, this hall was probably the most important building except for the Hall of Supreme Harmony. From the time of the third emperor Yongzhen, all the Qing emperors: 8 in total resided there. The emperor also conducted the state affairs and held private audiences in the hall.
The first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty-Shunzhi died there. The hall was later converted to the imperial workshop, manufacturing all the necessities for royal use during the Kangxi reign.
It served as the emperor's sleeping place from the time of Emperor Yongzheng.
The Western Warmth Chamber at the western end was the emperor's study was used by the Emperors to read the presentations from their ministers and to conduct private audiences with high officials.
At the end of the complex are five bedrooms. The biggest middle room was for the Emperor and the four surrounding rooms were used by the Empresses and concubines who were ready to be summoned to attend the emperor.
During the reign of Emperor Tongzhi and Guangxu, the eastern chamber of Yang Xin Dian gained special political significance. It was here that Empress Dowager Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an gave audiences behind the screen and began their intervention in national affairs. This is the notorious "Power behind the Throne" or "Holding Court behind the Curtain" in Chinese history.
After having visited so many palaces and halls, you may want to have an aesthetic change. Head for the Imperial Garden to enjoy a refreshing vision.
Imperial Garden
Exiting the Kun Ning Gong and going further north, travelers will find the Imperial Garden. The garden is connected with the six palaces on both sides of the central axis of the Forbidden City. The rectangular Imperial Garden is 90 meters long from north to south and 130 meters wide from west to east, with a land expanse of about 11, 700 square meters. The Garden contains more than 20 different buildings in different styles: pavilions, terraces, towers and rockeries.
The garden offers an aesthetic change from the crimson or gray building complex to a colorful and luxuriant atmosphere. Qin An Dian, or the hall of Imperial Peace is built exactly on the central axis. It is a Taoist temple and houses a statute of the Xuan Wu King. The Great King Xuan Wu was believed to be the God of Water that could prevent the whole City from catching fire.
The Duixiu Hill or Hill of Piling Beauties was the place that the Emperor and his Empress climbed during the Chongyang Festival (one of the important traditions of the festival is to clime a hill to view the scenery in the distance). The Imperial Garden has become a very popular place where tourists take a rest and take photos before they exit the Forbidden City.
Exhibition Halls
These halls at either side of the palace complex display traditional Chinese artwork, porcelain wares, bronze wares, watches, clocks, brush paintings, calligraphies, and other valuable treasures. Among these exhibition rooms, two are the most popular: the Clock and Watch Exhibition Hall (in the eastern part of the inner court), and the Exhibition Hall of Treasures (in the northeast of the inner court).
Collections inside the immense complex cover all the possible categories of artifacts from ancient times and they rank number 1 in terms of distinction, variety and quantity. These historical relics are of great historical and tourist value. They rekindle a sense of historical continuity among all the changes over China's over 5,000 years of civilizations. About 85% of the 1,500,000 exhibits are the arts of work from the Qing court. The ancient treasures carry the weight of Chinese tradition and are the embodiment of China's glorious history.
Relics displayed at the Beijing Forbidden City Exhibition Halls only part of the original imperial collections and another part was removed to Taiwan during the civil war and is now on display at the Taibei Forbidden City Museum.
Office of Privy Council
The Office of Privy Council is at the southern end of the Qianqingmen Gate. The office was first set up during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in 1729 to deal with urgent military affairs at a time when the Qing troops were fiercely fighting against the Mongolians in Northern China. The office was later strengthened and converted into the political heart ranking even higher than the cabinet in terms of power.
It was a very secret place. Only the Emperors and officials who were involved in the official matters were permitted and all other people were banned from approach. People who had to pass were not permitted to linger in the area.
Zhen Concubine Well
The Zhen Concubine Well was the place where the Zhen Concubine of Emperor Guangxu was drowned.
Zhen Concubine means Brilliant Concubine. Emperor Guangxu's most favored lady was very talented and intelligent. She encouraged the Emperor to endorse political reform to strengthen his country. Unfortunately, the reform was later suppressed by Empress Dowager Cixi because it contradicted with her interests. Cixi constantly
prosecuted Zhen Concubine and had her jailed. In 1900, after the Eight Foreign Allies invaded Beijing, the Dowager before fleeing the capital with the emperor ordered the eunuchs to throw the concubine into the well. The well was given the name of Zhen Concubine Well.
Hall of Imperial Zenith
Layout of this hall is quite similar to that of the Qianqinggong Hall as it has towering eaves. The building complex was believed to have been built for Emperor's Qianlong's later years after his abdication. The Hall was left empty nearly for a century after Emperor Qianlong's death. The Dowager Empress Cixi used to receive the foreign envoys and enjoy the performances by folk opera troupes in the hall. After her death, her coffin was placed here for the memorial ceremony.
Previous Customers' Reviews on Forbidden City:
Brenda
2009-10-28
History you read about in books,brought to life.
Alicia
2009-10-27
Very knowledgeable.
Nancy
2009-10-25
Very informative.Ginger was great.
