The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.
The splendid architecture of the Forbidden City represents the essence and culmination of traditional Chinese architectural accomplishment.
Accolades
In 1961 the Forbidden City 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 World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The Palace Museum is a real treasure house of Chinese cultural and historical relics.
It is recognized as one of the most important five palaces in the world (the other four are the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US and the Kremlin in Russia).
History
The Forbidden City, situated in the very heart of Beijing, was home to 24 emperors of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) 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 ancient times, the emperor claimed to be the son of Heaven, and therefore Heaven’s supreme power was bestowed upon him. The emperors’ residence on earth was built as a replica of the Purple Palace where God was thought to live in Heaven. Such a divine place was certainly forbidden to ordinary people and that is why the Forbidden City is so named. Originally called Zijin Cheng ('Purple Forbidden City'), in China now it is usually called Gugong (故宫 /goo-gong), the 'Former/Old Palace'.
Features
The Forbidden City covers an area of about 72 hectares (178 acres) with a total floor space of approximately 150,000 square meters (1,600,000 square feet). It consists of 90 palaces and courtyards, 980 buildings and 8,704 rooms. To represent the supreme power of the emperor given from God, and the place where he lived being the center of the world, all the gates, palace and other structures of the Forbidden City were arranged about the south-north central axis of Beijing.
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. See Forbidden City Map.
Forbidden City Guided Tour
Any tour of Beijing would be incomplete without a visit to the Forbidden City. See the range of tours offered at China Highlights.
Entrance
Most travelers enter the Forbidden City through Tian'anmen, the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Through the gate, across an expansive brick-paved square, you will reach the main entrance to the palace, Meridian Gate (Wumen in Chinese). Meridian Gate was the place where the Emperor announced the new lunar calendar on the winter solstice. Enter through Meridian Gate, and go across Golden Stream Bridge, then you will arrive at the outer court. The Forbidden City falls into two parts: the outer court and the inner palaces.
The Outer Court
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.
There are a couple of side gardens with interesting halls to explore. Please consult with your local guide if you want to visit them. It will take more time to walk around the palace.
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 the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Qianqingmen). This is the main gateway to the inner living court.
The Inner 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 everyday affairs, and which was the living quarters of 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.
Exit
The main exit gate of the Forbidden City is the Gate of Divine Might, behind the Imperial Garden.
One Day Beijing Forbidden City Tour from US$88 p/p (based on travel party of 2-3 persons)
The Forbidden City Top Tours
4-Day Essence Of Beijing Tour
- Tour Code: BJ-1
- Attractions: the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven.
Beijing Highlights With Olympic Glories
- Tour Code: BJ-3
- Attractions: the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China, Tian'anmen Square, and the Olympic Green.
More Beijing Tours
For a tailor-made tour including Guilin contact us.
How to Get there?
1) Take the subway Line one and get off at Tian An Men Xi or Tian An Men Dong 2) Take Tourist Bus No. 1 or No. 5 and get off at Qian Men 3) Other Buses that passes by are 特1,特2,特4、特7、1、2、4、5、7、8、9、10、11、17、20、22、31、34、37、44、48、52、53、54、59、110、120、205、329支、329、509、703、726、728、729、742、744、784、803、808、819、820、821、826支、826、848、859 and 922. One may take these buses and drop at Qianmen or Tiananmen
Dear Marie,
Here is the details.
From Apr.1 to Oct.31:
Entrance fee:CNY60(US$9.5) per person
Opening time: 8:30am-17:00pm
From Nov.1 to Mar.31 in the next year:
Entrance fee:CNY40(US$6.3)
Opening time: 8:30am-16:30pm
The operation hours are from 8:30 to 17:00. The ticket office stop selling tickets at 16:00. All tourist attractions open during the national holiday.
Hi Oyuka,
Forbidden City's Chinese name is 故宫, its Chinese pinyin is Gugong.
Are you interested in visiting there? If you need, we can arrange an English speaking guide and the transfer for you. Or you need to travel other cities in China, we also can arrange the package for you. Please feel free to contact me when you would like to have a tour. My e-mail address is lussie@chinahighlights.com
Hi, Brendon,
It is generally believed that bells and drums were used when the emperors were about to go to the temple of Heaven to worhip the earth and heaven.
1. Forbidden City’s Chinese name is 紫禁城, which literally means “purple forbidden city”. According to Chinese ancient astronomy, Ziwei Star (紫微星) is the residence of the emperor of heaven, and it had a name: Purple Palace (紫宫). The star was located in the middle of the universe, and never changed its location. Chinese feudal emperors thought they were the sons of the emperor of heaven, and they expected to live in Purple Palace. In ancient time, emperors’ palaces were forbidden to enter or exit freely, which can be summarized into a Chinese letter: 禁. So, that is why the city is called Forbidden City (紫禁城).
2. There is nobody living there now.
3. The Forbidden City is a royal palace, designed by a famous architect in the Ming Dynasty, and the construction had taken about 15 years. I guess the city was named by ancient astronomers in the Ming Dynasty.
Hi. The Forbidden City served as the residence for ancient emperors since the Ming Dynasty. There, the emperors managed the national affairs and met with officials and ministers. So countless events took place in the Forbidden City. Puyi, the last emperor of China was evicted from the Forbidden City.
if you are lucky enough, maybe you can get some!
Hi Mena,
Glad to answer your queries as below,
1. The original purpose of the Great Wall was to protect enemies from the North.
2. The original purpose of the Forbidden City was to build a royal palace for the emperor Zhudi.
3. Qinshihuang, the emperor of Qin dynasty ordered the construction of the Great Wall, with the purpose of stopping the enemies from the North.
4. More than 300,000 people were used for construction in about 10 years.
5. The Great Wall was once connected but as the time passed, it was not connected anymore.
6. It depends on the astronauts' eyesight and the angle they place.
7. You can find the answer by googling it. The American astronaut Gene Cernan (went up the moon in 1972) confirmed that he could see the Great Wall from a distance of 160-320 km while Mr. Zhangliwei from China claimed that he could not see it. It proved the answer No. 6.
Good luck with your research!
Candy
Hi Josiah
I am glad that you are interested in The Fobidden City, which is the the largest ancient palatial structure in the world, and the main activities there is appreciate the The splendid architecture and mystery history of Emperor.
Now it is open to the public, anyone who is intereted in it could visit it. You could check more details by click:http://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/forbidden-city/
I could help you with your Beijing tour include visiting The Fobidden City. You could feel free to contact me: william@chinahighlights.net
William
Travel advisor
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