Located in the very centre of Beijing,
Forbidden City is China largest and best-preserved set of ancient
building. In 1406, during the reign of the third Ming emperor,
Yong Le, largest-scale construction of the Forbidden City began.
Construction took 14 years to complete. In 1421, after a renovation
of the Grand Canal, the capital of the Ming Dynasty was officially
moved from Nanjing to Beijing. For 491 years, spanning two dynasties
and 24 emperors, the complex served as the Imperial Palace.
In 1925, it was converted into the Palace Museum and was opened
to the public.
The Forbidden City is divided into two main parts: the Outer
Court and the Inner Palace. The Outer Court consists of three
main buildings where the emperors attended grand ceremonies
and conducted state affairs. The Inner Palace is where the emperor
conducted his daily affairs,alongside his living quarters and
those of the empress and the imperial concubines.
The Forbidden City is the best-preserved imperial palace in
China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.
In 1987, it was listed as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Cultural Heritage
Site. The Palace Museum holds a great number of historical and
cultural relics as well as many precious works of art.
Address: 4, Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District
Time: 8:30 a.m - 4 p.m (April 16-ctober 15)
8:30 a.m - 3: 30 p.m (October 16- April 15)
Ticket: 40 yuan ( November 1- March 31)
60 yuan ( April 1- October 31)
Transport: Subway line 1, Tiananmen Xi (West) or Tiananmen Dong
(East) Station
The spots in the Forbidden City
Hall of Celestial Terrestrial Union: Signifying the happy and long marriage of the emperor and empress, this hall served as the reception point for her majesty’s birthday parties. Today 25 imperial seals are kept here.
Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility: In the Ming Dynasty this was where the empress lived. In the Qing Dynasty, it was used for offering sacrifices to the Manchu goods and its east wing room was used as bridal chamber of the newly wed emperor and empress.
Hall of Mental Cultivation: Historically important hall where the Qing emperors lived, studied, and worked after Emperor Yongzheng (1677-1735). Empress Dowager Xici attended to state affairs behind a curtain in the east chamber of this hall.
Hall of Preserved Harmony: In the Ming Dynasty, the emperor put on ritual clothing here before the ceremonies. In the Qing Dynasty, it was used for imperial banquets and examinations.
Imperial Garden: This largest garden in the Forbidden City was a serene place for generations of the imperial families to relax on their own.
Palace of Celestial Purity: This was where emperors of the Qing and Ming Dynasts slept. After, Emperor Yongzheng, the third Qing emperor, moved to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was used for handing routine state affairs, receiving officials and occasional banquets.
Six Eastern Palaces: These concubine living quarters are now exhibition areas for treasures of former imperial families.
Hall of Imperial Supremacy: A smaller model of the Palace of Celestial Purity. Now it is the first exhibition hall of the Treasure Gallery.
Nine-dragon Screen: A symbol of the emperor’s supreme power. When the screen was being fired in the kiln, a piece broke and was replaced with a bit of wood. If the emperor had known, death would have resulted. However, the imperial inspectors missed the flaw on the belly of the third dragon.
Meridian Gate: This enormous gate stands nearly 40m tall and guards the entrance to the Forbidden City. In the Qing Dynasty, court officials would wait inside this gate every morning for the emperor to appear in court.
Hall of Supreme Harmony: This highest hall in the Forbidden City is also called “the throne.” Used for the emperor’s accession to the throne, exercise of the rule over the country and important ceremonies like weddings and New Year’s banquet. |
Home >> Tour Info >> Beijing Destinations
