The Forbidden City (Chinese name: Gugong) is a palace complex located in the center of Beijing. It was the palace of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 to 1912). It is the most complete and largest palace-style building in the world, with a history of 600 years. It is said that the place where the Emperor of Heaven lived was called Ziwei Palace, so the palaces of ancient Chinese emperors were generally called Ziwei, Ziyuan, and Zigong. In the feudal period, the imperial palace was not allowed to be entered by outsiders at will, and it was a forbidden area, so it was called “Purple Forbidden”.
History of the Forbidden City
The construction of the Forbidden City began during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. In order to consolidate his ruling position, Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty decided to build a grand palace. After years of construction (about 14 years), the Forbidden City was officially completed in 1420. In the Ming and Qing dynasties that followed, the Forbidden City was used as an imperial palace and was expanded and renovated many times. After the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution, the Qing Dynasty fell, and the palace was converted into a museum and opened to the public. In modern times, the Forbidden City has always been one of China’s important tourist attractions, attracting a large number of tourists. Overall, the Forbidden City has experienced the rule of the Ming and Qing dynasties and carries the royal history and culture of Chinese feudal society.
Forbidden City Attractions
1.Hall of Supreme Harmony
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the central building of the Forbidden City and the largest wooden structure in ancient China. It was the venue for important ceremonies such as grand ceremonies, enthronement ceremony, and reception of foreign envoys by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Hall of Supreme Harmony
2.Palace of Heavenly Purity
The Palace of Heavenly Purity is located in the middle of the three palaces at the back of the Forbidden City. It is the place where the emperor handles daily government affairs, receives ministers, summons princes, etc. It shows the emperor’s life and work status.
Palace of Heavenly Purity
3.Royal Garden
The Imperial Garden is located at the northernmost end of the Forbidden City. It is the place where the emperor and his concubines play and relax. The rockery, flowers and trees, pavilions and towers are a highlight of the Forbidden City and a place for tourists to take photos.
Royal Garden
4.Treasure Museum
Treasure Museum
5.Clock Hall
6.gallery
The layout of the Forbidden City
City gates: The Forbidden City has four gates, namely the Wumen Gate in the south, the Shenwu Gate in the north, the Donghua Gate in the east, and the Xihua Gate in the west.
Corner towers: The Forbidden City has four exquisite corner towers, located in the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest corners, which are one of the defense systems of the Forbidden City.
City walls: The Forbidden City is surrounded by tall and solid walls, on which various weapons are placed to ensure the safety of the emperor’s life and work. Moat: Outside the city wall is a moat called “Jinshui River”. The moat is the water supply system of the imperial palace and one of the defense systems of the Forbidden City.
The Complete View of the Forbidden City
Rooms. It is said that the Forbidden City has 9,999 and a half rooms. According to actual measurements, there are 980 palaces in the Forbidden City, with a total of 8,707 rooms. Other buildings. In addition to palaces, the Forbidden City also has gardens, pavilions, rocks, calligraphy and painting halls, clock halls, treasure halls, opera halls, etc.
The Complete View of the Forbidden City