Explore the imperial palace and ancient architecture of the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Introduction
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a vast imperial palace complex in Beijing, China. It served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for almost 500 years.
Location
The Forbidden City is located in the Dongcheng District in the heart of Beijing, directly north of Tiananmen Square.
History
The construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406 and was completed in 1420. It was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty, housing 24 emperors. The complex covers 72 hectares (178 acres) and consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,886 rooms.
In 1925, the Forbidden City was transformed into the Palace Museum, showcasing extensive collections of artwork and artifacts from the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Attractions
Meridian Gate (Wu Men): The main entrance to the Forbidden City, known for its grand architecture and historical significance.
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian): The largest hall in the Forbidden City, used for major ceremonial occasions.
Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian): A smaller, intimate hall where the emperor prepared and rested before ceremonies.
Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian): Used for banquets and later for imperial examinations.
Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong): The emperor's residence, representing his supreme authority.
Hall of Union (Jiaotai Dian): A hall connecting the emperor's and empress's palaces, symbolizing their union.
Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong): The residence of the empress and the site for imperial weddings.
Imperial Garden: A serene garden area with ancient trees, rockeries, and pavilions, used by the imperial family for leisure.
Clock and Watch Gallery: Displays a vast collection of timepieces from the imperial collection.
Treasure Gallery: Houses valuable artifacts, including jade, gold, and other treasures from the imperial era.
Activities
Exploring historical buildings and courtyards
Visiting museum exhibitions
Photography
Participating in guided tours
Attending cultural performances and events
Facilities
Visitor Center
Restrooms
Gift Shops
Cafes and Restaurants
Parking Lots
Audio Guide Rentals
Guided Tour Services
Visitor Tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Bring water and snacks, especially if you plan to stay for several hours.
Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately.
Respect the cultural and historical significance of the site; behave appropriately and follow all rules and guidelines.
Plan your visit to include the main attractions and leave time for exploring lesser-known areas.
A liitle jet-lagged, our travelers spend a day in Beijing before setting off for other parts of China.
Places visited : Tian'AnMen Square, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) plus JingShan and BeiHai parks, all within easy walking distance of each other. Then it is on to DeShengMen to take the bus to BaDaLing Great Wall of China (one can also take a train from Beijing North railway station, near XiZhiMen).
The Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall (at Badaling), Beihai Park, the Botanical Garden, JingShan Park, the Olympic Park, Qianmen
Welcome to the blue-sky city ...
The Forbidden City，at the center of the ancient city of Beijing, was home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Today, the Forbidden City is a public museum and World Heritage site, attracting millions of tourists from around the world.
In the early 1400s, the third Ming Emperor, YongLe, moved the capital of China to Beijing. In 1406, he began construction of a new 'Forbidden City' that would include the imperial palace complex. It took 14 years to complete - and an estimated one million workers, and 100,000 artisans, were involved in some way.
Now officially renamed as the 'Palace Museum' ('GuGong' in Chinese, meaning simply 'Old Palace'), the extensive grounds of the Forbidden City cover 720,000 square meters (74 Hectares). There are 800 buildings that have in total about 9,000 rooms. Indeed, the Forbidden City is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Forbidden City is located directly to the north of Tian'AnMen Square and is accessible from the square via Tian'AnMen Gate.
The Palace Museum is now a fantastic place to wander and dream of times gone by. White marble, walls of terra-cotta, roofs of glazed golden tiles, and woodwork finished with vermillion paint, lacquer and gilding unite to create an effect of outstanding beauty.
Nearest subway stations: Tian'AnMen Xi or Tian'AnMen Dong (line 1).
An introductory video by the Palace Museum.
Established in 1925, the Palace Museum encompasses the former imperial palace of two consecutive dynasties - the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911).
The magnificent architecture, and the vast collections of paintings, calligraphy, ceramics and decorative objects make it one of the most prestigious museums in the world. In 1961 the imperial palace was designated by the State Council as one of China's foremost-protected cultural heritage places, and in 1987 it was made a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Formally known now as the Palace Museum.
Established in 1925, the Palace Museum comprises the primary imperial palace of two consecutive dynasties - the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911). The magnificent architecture, and the vast collections of imperial paintings, calligraphy, ceramics and decorative objects, make it one of the most prestigious museums in China - and, indeed, the world.
In 1961 the imperial palace was designated by the State Council as one of China's foremost cultural heritage sites, and in 1987 it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Includes TianAnMen Square, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) and the Temple of Heaven.
Video by LimeWave.com, which has photos and videos for a number of places around the world.
