The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City or Imperial Palace as it is also known, was built in 1406 over a period of 14 years. It is called The Forbidden City because it was off limits to commoners for 500 years. It was the permanent residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and is situated in the centre of Beijing. From the Ming to Qing Dynasties, a total of 24 emperors lived here. It is the largest and most complete group of ancient buildings that China has preserved to the present.
The Forbidden City is surrounded by a wall that was built with 12 million bricks and it is the last intact surviving city wall in Beijing. The Forbidden City is rectangular in shape and is surrounded by a 52 metre wide moat. It covers an enormous area of over 170 acres, with 800 buildings and 9000 rooms (less than half The Forbidden City is open to the public). The Forbidden City is so big that it takes about 10 years to do a full restoration (repairing and painting), by which time the process has to be started again. The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. We started our visit to the Forbidden City at the south gate and worked our way north until we reached the north gate and Jinshan Park. We were both impressed by and in awe of the sheer size of The Forbidden City and the grandeur.
The Forbidden City or Imperial Palace as it is also known, was built in 1406 over a period of 14 years. It is called The Forbidden City because it was off limits to commoners for 500 years. It was the permanent residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and is situated in the centre of Beijing. From the Ming to Qing Dynasties, a total of 24 emperors lived here. It is the largest and most complete group of ancient buildings that China has preserved to the present.
The Forbidden City is surrounded by a wall that was built with 12 million bricks and it is the last intact surviving city wall in Beijing. The Forbidden City is rectangular in shape and is surrounded by a 52 metre wide moat. It covers an enormous area of over 170 acres, with 800 buildings and 9000 rooms (less than half The Forbidden City is open to the public). The Forbidden City is so big that it takes about 10 years to do a full restoration (repairing and painting), by which time the process has to be started again. The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. We started our visit to the Forbidden City at the south gate and worked our way north until we reached the north gate and Jinshan Park. We were both impressed by and in awe of the sheer size of The Forbidden City and the grandeur.
The Forbidden City - Meridian Gate
The Meridian Gate is the massive south gate of the Forbidden City. In ancient times this gate was reserved for the use of the emperor only. Bells and gongs would sound when the emperor would come and go. Lesser mortals were required to use the other gates of the Forbidden City. The emperor also reviewed his army from here, passed judgement on prisoners and announced the new year's calendar.
The Meridian Gate is the massive south gate of the Forbidden City. In ancient times this gate was reserved for the use of the emperor only. Bells and gongs would sound when the emperor would come and go. Lesser mortals were required to use the other gates of the Forbidden City. The emperor also reviewed his army from here, passed judgement on prisoners and announced the new year's calendar.
The Forbidden City - Gate of Supreme Harmony
The Gate of Supreme Harmony is the second gate at the south entrance. The Gate of Supreme Harmony and the Meridian Gate form the north and south borders of a massive courtyard. The Gate of Supreme Harmony is flanked by a pair of imperial guardian lions. Like the Meridian Gate, the central stairway of the Gate of Supreme Harmony was reserved exclusively for the emperor and his close attendants.
The Gate of Supreme Harmony is the second gate at the south entrance. The Gate of Supreme Harmony and the Meridian Gate form the north and south borders of a massive courtyard. The Gate of Supreme Harmony is flanked by a pair of imperial guardian lions. Like the Meridian Gate, the central stairway of the Gate of Supreme Harmony was reserved exclusively for the emperor and his close attendants.
The Forbidden City - Hall of Supreme Harmony
The Gate of Supreme Harmony is the gateway to another massive courtyard (Harmony Square) and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Raised on a three-tier marble terrace are the Three Great Halls - The Hall of Supreme Harmony, The Hall of Central Harmony and The Hall of Preserved Harmony. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the most important and largest structure in the Forbidden City. It was built in the 15th century and was restored in the 17th century. The Hall of Supreme Harmony was used for ceremonial occasions like the emperor's birthday and coronations. We saw large copper and iron vats in front of this hall and all around the Forbidden City (in total there are over 300 scattered throughout the Forbidden City). These vats were used to carry water for dousing fires. Also in front of this hall is a large bronze turtle symbolizing longevity and stability, and a large sundial. The placing of the sundial in front of the hall symbolizes that the emperor had the highest power to grant time to all the people in the country.
The Gate of Supreme Harmony is the gateway to another massive courtyard (Harmony Square) and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Raised on a three-tier marble terrace are the Three Great Halls - The Hall of Supreme Harmony, The Hall of Central Harmony and The Hall of Preserved Harmony. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the most important and largest structure in the Forbidden City. It was built in the 15th century and was restored in the 17th century. The Hall of Supreme Harmony was used for ceremonial occasions like the emperor's birthday and coronations. We saw large copper and iron vats in front of this hall and all around the Forbidden City (in total there are over 300 scattered throughout the Forbidden City). These vats were used to carry water for dousing fires. Also in front of this hall is a large bronze turtle symbolizing longevity and stability, and a large sundial. The placing of the sundial in front of the hall symbolizes that the emperor had the highest power to grant time to all the people in the country.
The Forbidden City - Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserved Harmony
The Hall of Central Harmony is situated behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony and was used by the emperor as a resting place. The Hall of Preserved Harmony is situated behind the Hall of Central Harmony and this hall was used for banquets and later for imperial examinations. The outer halls surrounding the Three Great Halls were used for storing gold, silver, silks and other treasures. Today these outer halls exhibit treasures from the palace.
The Hall of Central Harmony is situated behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony and was used by the emperor as a resting place. The Hall of Preserved Harmony is situated behind the Hall of Central Harmony and this hall was used for banquets and later for imperial examinations. The outer halls surrounding the Three Great Halls were used for storing gold, silver, silks and other treasures. Today these outer halls exhibit treasures from the palace.
The Forbidden City - Gate of Heavenly Purity
The Gate of Heavenly Purity is the entrance to the next set of buildings - The Palace of Heavenly Purity, The Hall of Union and Peace, and The Hall of Earthly Tranquility. These buildings are similar to the Three Great Halls, but on a smaller scale. The buildings on the eastern and western sides of this section of The Forbidden City were the palatial former living quarters and contained libraries, temples, theatres gardens. Today these buildings can also be viewed and they include The Hall of Jewellery, Well of Concubine Zhen, The Hall of Harmony, The Hall of Joyful Longevity, The Hall of Character Cultivation and the Clock Exhibition Hall.
The Gate of Heavenly Purity is the entrance to the next set of buildings - The Palace of Heavenly Purity, The Hall of Union and Peace, and The Hall of Earthly Tranquility. These buildings are similar to the Three Great Halls, but on a smaller scale. The buildings on the eastern and western sides of this section of The Forbidden City were the palatial former living quarters and contained libraries, temples, theatres gardens. Today these buildings can also be viewed and they include The Hall of Jewellery, Well of Concubine Zhen, The Hall of Harmony, The Hall of Joyful Longevity, The Hall of Character Cultivation and the Clock Exhibition Hall.
The Forbidden City - Palace of Heavenly Purity
The Palace of Heavenly Purity was a residence of the Ming and Qing emperors, and later used as an audience hall where the emperors received foreign envoys and high officials.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity was a residence of the Ming and Qing emperors, and later used as an audience hall where the emperors received foreign envoys and high officials.
The Forbidden City - Hall of Union and Peace and Hall of Earthly Tranquility
The Hall of Union and Peace is situated behind the Palace of Heavenly Purity and was used for the safekeeping of 25 jade seals belonging to the imperial court. These seals represented monarchial authority. The Hall of Earthly Tranquility is situated behind the Hall of Union and Peace and was used as a place of worship.
The Hall of Union and Peace is situated behind the Palace of Heavenly Purity and was used for the safekeeping of 25 jade seals belonging to the imperial court. These seals represented monarchial authority. The Hall of Earthly Tranquility is situated behind the Hall of Union and Peace and was used as a place of worship.
The Forbidden City - Gate of Earthly Tranquility
Situated behind the Hall of Earthly Tranquility, this housed the imperial doctors' duty rooms and dispensary.
Situated behind the Hall of Earthly Tranquility, this housed the imperial doctors' duty rooms and dispensary.
Forbidden City - Imperial Garden
The Imperial Garden is situated at the northern end of the Forbidden City. It is a classical Chinese garden which spreads out over 1.5 acres and it is beautiful. The layout of the garden includes rockeries, pavilions, trees and walkways.
The Imperial Garden is situated at the northern end of the Forbidden City. It is a classical Chinese garden which spreads out over 1.5 acres and it is beautiful. The layout of the garden includes rockeries, pavilions, trees and walkways.
The Forbidden City - Divine Military Genius Gate
The Divine Military Genius Gate is the north gate of The Forbidden City. We exited The Forbidden City through the north gate and crossed the road to go to the entrance of Jinshan Park.
The Divine Military Genius Gate is the north gate of The Forbidden City. We exited The Forbidden City through the north gate and crossed the road to go to the entrance of Jinshan Park.
Jinshan Park
The entrance to Jinshan Park is across the road from the north gate of The Forbidden City. Jinshan Park is also known as Coal Hill and was formed from all the earth that was excavated to create the large moat of The Forbidden City. That said, Jinshan Park is built on and around a hill. The hill is said to protect The Forbidden City from the evil spirits (dust storms) from the north. We climbed the stairs to the very top of the hill, where there now stands a pavilion and an enclosed buddhist statue. From the top of Jinshan Park we got some great pamoramic views of the city and The Forbidden City.
The entrance to Jinshan Park is across the road from the north gate of The Forbidden City. Jinshan Park is also known as Coal Hill and was formed from all the earth that was excavated to create the large moat of The Forbidden City. That said, Jinshan Park is built on and around a hill. The hill is said to protect The Forbidden City from the evil spirits (dust storms) from the north. We climbed the stairs to the very top of the hill, where there now stands a pavilion and an enclosed buddhist statue. From the top of Jinshan Park we got some great pamoramic views of the city and The Forbidden City.
View of The Forbidden City from the top of Jinshan Park
View of the City from Jinshan Park
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