Forbidden City

The Forbidden City in Beijing is said to be the best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world. The home of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 to 1912), the Forbidden City was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987.

The Forbidden City sits in central Beijing facing Tiananmen Square, and has been designated as a National Palace Museum. The Forbidden City is counted as one of the world's five Palaces (the Forbidden City in Beijing, the French Palace of Versailles, Buckingham Palace, the White House, and the Kremlin).

The palace of the Forbidden City is China's largest and most significant ancient architectural complex, with a total area of over 720 thousand square meters.

How to Visit the Forbidden City

Since the Forbidden City, as you know, has more than 9,999 buildings, it is very easy to get lost for one who is not familiar with Chinese architectural layout, though it is symmetrical. Now I will take you for a virtual tour around the mysterious palace complex. Follow me and don't get yourself lost!

Now start your tour in the Forbidden City from Wumen, called Meridian Gate in English. It is also named Five-Phoenix Tower, Wufenglou in Chinese, for it looks like a phoenix with five pavilion buildings up there. It's the main gate and the south gate of the Forbidden City. Inside the Meridian Gate, there appear Inner Golden Water Bridges. Water flows beneath these white marble bridges.

The GoldenWaterRiver of this section is very gorgeous, well-decorated. The riverbed and the bank were paved with white stones. Decorative marble columns and banisters were established along the river. Standing on the bridges, one can see a grand structure called Taihemen (Gate of Supreme Harmony), which is the most marvelous gate in the city and guarded by a couple of bronze lions in front.

On the square between Taihemen and Wumen, imperial honor guards proceeded with preparations before grand ceremonies.

The three main halls of the outer court, Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), Zhonghedian (Hall of Central Harmony), and Baohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony), sit in line inside the gate. These halls all sit on three-tier marble terraces, with marble balustrades decorated.

A stone ramp carved with coiled dragons and clouds is located in the middle of the steps leading up to each hall. The ramp of Baohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony) is the largest one.

The first and grandest hall is Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), where emperors executed their autocracy over the whole country. It is the place where emperors ascended the throne and granted formal interviews to officials, and important events were celebrated.

The hall was flanked by Wenhuadian (Hall of Literary Glory) and Wuyingdian (Hall of Martial Valor). The former, on the right side, used to be the study of the crown princes, where banquets and some rites were held.

The latter, on the left side, is the imperial press where many books were compiled and published, and where Li Zicheng, the famous peasants' uprising, ascended his throne after overthrowing the Ming dynasty. On the North of Wenhuadian lies Wenyuange (Pavilion of Literary Source), the imperial library where the world's largest encyclopedia, Sikuquanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasures of Knowledge), was housed.

The library architecture has many Chinese cultural facts in its structure and decoration. Nanxundian (South Fragrance Hall) near Wuyingdian is where portraits of emperors of dynasties are kept.

Behind Taihedian is Zhonghedian (Hall of Central Harmony), a square building much smaller than Taihedian. It was the place where the emperor rested on his way to Taihedian and interviewed his ministers or officials from the Ministry of Rites, and rehearsals for ceremonies were also held here.

Baohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony), the second largest structure in the palace, is the rear hall of the Outer Court. Imperial banquets were often given here to entertain high officials. Emperors presided over the final stage of national examinations to select officials from intellectuals all over the country in this hall.

Getting out of the Baohedian, visitors will see Qianqingmen(Gate of Celestial Purity), which is the boundary of the Outer Court and the Inner Court. Inside the gate, the royal family resides.

In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi often heard reports from high officials and issued his orders under the gate. The Inner Court is divided into three parts. The three halls on the central axis are the main structures, and they are smaller in size than the three halls in the Outer Court, although they look the same in style. Xiliugong (Six Western Palaces) and Dongliugong (Six Eastern Palaces) are also important structure complexes, where the emperors' concubines lived.

The first hall inside the Qianqingmen is Qianqinggong - Palace of Celestial Purity, which was originally the bedroom of emperors as well as their office. Emperors also gave banquets here.

Behind it is a smaller hall named Jiaotaidian (Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union), where empresses received greetings from other concubines. It was used to store the emperor and empress's imperial seals. The third hall on the central axis is Kunninggong (Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility), which was the empress' bedroom.

On the left side of the Inner Court, Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) and Xiliugong (Six Western Palaces) stand from north to south. Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) was an important hall in the palace since Emperor Yongzheng; most emperors later lived and attended to state affairs here.

North of Yangxindian, there locates Xiliugong (Six Western Palaces) is located, which consists of Yongshougong (Palace of Eternal Longevity), Yikungong (Palace of the Queen Consort), Chuxiugong (Palace for Gathering Elegance), Taijidian (Hall of the Supreme Pole), Changchungong (Palace of Eternal Spring), and Xianfugong (Palace of Universal Happiness). The former three are on the right and the latter three on the left of an alley which goes from north to south.

On the right side of the Outer Court, viz. east side, there are Fengxiandian(Hall for Ancestral Worship), Zhaigong (Palace of Abstinence) where emperors practiced abstinence a few days before going to offer sacrifices at theTemple of Heaven or the Temple of Earth, and Dongliugong (Six Eastern Palaces)which consists of Jingrengong (Palace of Great Benevolence), Chengqiangong (Palace of Celestial Favour), Yonghegong (Palace of Eternal Harmony), Jingyanggong (Palace of Great Brilliance), Zhongcuigong (Palace of Purity) and Yanxigong (Palace of Lasting Happiness).

In a separate enclosure further east are two palaces which Emperor Qianlong built for his abdication. They are Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity)and Huangjidian (Hall of Imperial Supremacy). Further north, there are Yangxingdian (Hall of Temper Cultivation), Leshoutang (Hall of Joyful Longevity), and Yihexuan (Pavilion of Sustained Harmony). Now, most of these palaces on the east are exhibition halls displaying different curiosities.

North of the Inner Court is Yuhuayuan (Imperial Garden). Though small in size, it is exquisitely laid out with towers, pavilions, artificial hills, springs, rocks, old trees, flowers, and lawns - a replica of the gardens of southern China.

Just behind the garden is Shenwumen (Gate of Divine Might), the rear gate of the Forbidden City. On the gate, there was a drum and a bell. The bell used to toll 108 times to announce a new day while the drum rataplaned the time in the night.

• The middle route (recommended): Meridian Gate → The Halls in Taihemen→ Qianqingmen→ Jiaotaidian→ Kunninggong→ Imperial Garden → Shenwumen
• The East Route: Meridian Gate → the three Hall of Taihemen→ Qianqingmen→ Six Eastern Palace → Ningshougong→ Zhenfei Well
• The West Route: Meridian Gate → The Hall of Taihemen→ Qianqinggong → Yangxin Hall→ Six Western Palaces

Best Time to Visit the Forbidden City

The best time to visit the Forbidden City is from late April to early June, and late August to the end of November. The weather in these months is good, with not too much rain. Late April to early June is springtime in Beijing. The spring blossoms in the Imperial Palace are gorgeous.

Forbidden City Layout

According to the theory of ancient Chinese astrology, the location of the palace is in transit, regarded as the Celestial Emperor, corresponding to heaven. There is an axis that runs through the Forbidden City, and this represents the royal supremacy. The three main halls, the imperial harems, and the imperial garden are all situated on this central axis.

Rooms on both sides of the axis are symmetrically distributed in many palaces do not lack magnificence. These rooms can be divided into two parts - the outer court and the inner court.

The outer court consists of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserve as the three main halls; Wenhua Hall and Wuying Hall are the two wings.

The inner court consists of the Hall of Celestial Purity, the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union, and Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility, and the six rooms on the east and west for its two wings. There is a strict and orderly layout.

At the four corners of the Forbidden City lay delicate and exquisite turrets, which were for observation and defense. The Forbidden City is built in a square shape, and the inner city is surrounded by a 10-meter-high, 3400-meter-long wall. Outside the wall is a 52-meter-wide moat.

Meridian Gate

The Meridian Gate, in Chinese, is the southern entrance of the Forbidden City. Since Chinese emperors believed that they were sons of Heaven and should live in the center of the universe, and they believed the Meridian Line went through the Forbidden City, the gate was named so.

The grand gate, consisting of five openings, is the largest gate and main gate of the Forbidden City, 35.6 meters high and surmounted by five pavilions, named Wufenglou, viz. FivePhoenixTower.

In FivePhoenixTower, there are drums which were used to announce emperors' departure to the Temple of Heaven and bells which were used to announce their departure to the AncestralTemple. Both tolls announced that the emperor was going to receive his ministers in Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony).

There were strict rules to follow when people entered the Forbidden City. Entering through the central opening was the emperors' exclusive privilege, while their empresses were allowed to go through the opening once on their wedding day.

The top three in the national examinations, presided over by emperors on the final stage, would be honored to strut through the arched hole after receiving the emperors' interview. The east opening was for the ministers, while the west opening was for the royal family. The other openings were for petty officials. Ordinary people were forbidden to enter the city.

In ancient times, emperors would bestow food to ministers on days of important Chinese solar terms. On the first of October on the solar calendar every year, emperors would issue the following year. After wars, Emperors would receive captives themselves here. Also on the left side of the Imperial Way, which goes through the central opening, baculine penalty would be executed on those who offended the emperors.

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Behind the Meridian Gate, Wumen, you can see five bridges and the courtyard beyond. Further north in the center, it is Taihemen, the Gate of Supreme Harmony.

The river is called the Inner Golden River, and the bridges are called the Inner Golden River Bridges. The central bridge is reserved for emperors exclusively. The two flanking it are reserved for royal family members, while the two outside are for ordinary officials. The bridges are well decorated with marble balustrades carved with motifs of dragon and phoenix. The river serves as a fire hydrant in case of fire, as well as decorations.

The courtyard beyond covers a space of 10,000 square meters. There are no trees on the square since in ancient China, emperors considered themselves the Son of Heaven, born to reign over the country, so they should occupy the highest position. Nothing was allowed to overwhelm the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the highest building in the Forbidden City, and trees were no exception. Certainly, there are many other stories about this strange arrangement.

You will be astonished when you are informed that the ground in the palace was laid in a very special way - seven layers lengthwise and eight layers crosswise, totaling fifteen layers to protect assassins from digging tunnels into the palace. And the bricks were specially made to sound nice when walking on. The rooms on each side were said to serve as warehouses for storing such items as fur, porcelain, silver, tea, silk, satin, and clothes.

Taihemen, north of the square, is the main gate of the Outer Court and fairly grand. The gate is guarded by a couple of gilded bronze lions, which were intended to show imperial dignity. The east one is male, with its front right paw put on a ball, meaning imperial power extended worldwide. The lioness on the west puts its front left paw on a lion cub, indicating a prosperously growing family.

The gate is an important place where emperors' wedding ceremonies were usually held, and in October of the first year under the reign of the Qing dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi announced an act of grace.

Three Great Halls

The imposing Three Great Halls are built on broad terraces and decorated with carved pillars. The ornamental Dragon's head at the base of each pillar serves the practical purpose of water drainage. If you visit the palace on a rainy day, you will witness the magnificent sight of 1,142 dragons on the three terraces simultaneously spitting rainwater from their mouths.

Three flights of steps, the middle of which is decorated with slabs of exquisitely carved marble, connect the three terraces along the central Imperial Way. The stairs to the north of the Hall of Preserving Harmony are the most spectacular of all.

Large marble panels are framed with an order of flowers and ocean waves. In the center, a sea of curled clouds set off groups of nine (the imperial number) coiling dragons (the emperor's symbol) rising from their midst. These stone carvings are considered to be some of the finest in China.

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Entering Taihemen, you will see Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) across the spacious square, which covers a space of 30,000 square meters. Sitting on a three-tier marble terrace, the grandest timber framework ever in China will overwhelm anyone.

The hall was first built in 1406 and was repaired many times later. As the heart of the Forbidden City, the so-called Golden Carriage used to be the place where emperors received high officials and practiced their rule over the nation. Also, grand ceremonies would be held to celebrate the new emperor's ascending to the throne, the emperors' birthdays and wedding ceremonies, and other important occasions such as the Winter Solstice, the Chinese New Year, and dispatching generals into war fields.

Along the three-tier terrace stairs, there are 18 bronze Dings, a kind of ancient Chinese vessel, to represent 18 provinces of the nation then. On the terrace, which was luxuriously balustraded, a bronze crane and a bronze tortoise can be seen.

They were put there to expect everlasting rule and longevity. The marble Rigui, an ancient timer in the east, and the Jialiang, an ancient measuring vessel in the west, were put there to show that emperors were just and fair. In front of the hall, there are a couple of gilded bronze vats, which were used to hold water in case of fire. Behind the hall stands.

Since the Hall of Supreme Harmony was a symbol of imperial power, it was the highest structure in the Ming and Qing dynasties in the nation; no other buildings were allowed to be higher than it.

The heavily glazed hall is 35.02 meters high and 37.44 meters if rooftop decoration is counted, and 63.96 meters in width and 37.2 meters in length respectively. There is a total of 72 pillars standing in six rows to support the roof. Gates and windows were embossed with clouds and dragons.

Inside the hall, the floor was paved with special bricks which were fired long ago and then soaked in tung oil to be polished. As a symbol of imperial power, the sandalwood throne, standing on a two-meter-high platform, is located in the center of the hall and enclosed within six thick gold-lacquered pillars painted with dragons.

The golden throne is carved with dragons all over. Around the throne stand two bronze cranes, an elephant-shaped incense burner, and tripods in the shape of mythical beasts. The hall is heavily painted with dragons, having an aura of solemnity and mystery. In the middle of the ceiling is the design of two dragons playing with pearls.

They were made of glass and painted with mercury. The pearl was said to be able to detect any usurper of imperial power. If anyone who was not the descendant of the Emperor Huang Di usurped the throne, it would drop down and strike him to death.

Hall of Central Harmony

Zhonghedian, the Hall of Central Harmony, was originally built in 1420 and restored in 1627 and again in 1765. It is square rather than rectangular, like the other two in the Outer Court. It is the smallest of the three main halls in the Outer Court.

It served as a restroom when emperors were going to present ceremonies held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony on their way there. Here, they would interview their ministers of right. Annually, before their departure to important sacrifice rites held at the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth, etc., emperors would browse elegiac addresses in the hall.

Before their departure to the Temple of Ancestor Farmer, they would also inspect seeds and farming tools they would use in the ceremony. In the Qing dynasty, it was prescribed that the imperial genealogy should be revised every ten years. The ceremony of presenting the revision to the emperor and His Majesty's approval would also be held here.

Inside the hall, you can see that there is a golden unicorn on each side of the throne in the center of the hall. The couple of golden unicorns, called luduan in Chinese, were believed to be capable of traveling 9,000 kilometers a day and speaking many languages.

Since the divine beast foresees the faraway, it was put beside the throne to indicate the emperor's wisdom and brilliance. They used to be sandalwood burners. Beside the throne, there are also two sedan chairs, which were used as emperors' vehicles to shuttle around in the Forbidden City.

Hall of the Complete Harmony

Hall of the Complete Harmony was constructed under Emperor Yongle in 1420. Here, the emperor would rest before attending to business in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Each year, the day before going to offer sacrifices, he would come here to review the text of the sacrificial prayers.

Ceremonies for receiving tribute, memorials to the throne, and congratulatory documents were also rehearsed here. On the veranda is a display of musical instruments: bronze bells and a set of jade musical stones.

The Hall of Preserved Harmony

Baohedian, the Hall of Preserved Harmony, sits on the northern end of the three-tier marble terrace, similar in style but a bit smaller than the Hall of Supreme Harmony and larger than the Hall of Central Harmony.

It was first built in 1420, rebuilt in 1625, and renovated in 1765. In the Ming dynasty, emperors usually changed their clothes here before ceremonies of conferring the empress or the crown prince. In the Qing dynasty, imperial banquets were usually given here.

To celebrate a princess's marriage, emperors would invite high officials, the bridegroom and his father, and their relatives who served the imperial government to a banquet. Every year, on the eve of New Year's Eve, banquets would be held to feast and honor margraves, Mongol princes, and civil and military officials.

In 1789, middle of the Qing dynasty, Emperor Qianlong removed the Palace Examination, the highest level and final stage of the nationwide imperial examination system, from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the Hall. Emperors would read the papers of the top ten candidates to honor them.

On rainy days, visitors will have the chance to see the spectacular scene of a thousand dragons draining water. There are 1,412 marble stone dragon heads under the columns of the three-tier terrace on which the three main halls are situated. Chinese artisans smartly combined a drainage system with architectural art. Once you get a chance to see the Forbidden City, please notice the holes in the dragons' mouths. However, the ones in the corners have no holes

Gate of Heavenly Purity

The Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqingmen) stands as the main entrance to the"Inner Palace." Qing emperors sometimes held court and sat on a throne in front of this gate. The northern half of the Imperial Palace, the Inner Palace, begins here with a dizzying succession of exquisite courtyards, halls, towers, and pavilions.

The Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong ), the Hall of Prosperity (Jiaotaidian), and the Hall of Earthly Peace (Kunninggong) are known collectively as the Three Rear Palaces (Housangong). From the Ming up through the time of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the emperors lived in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the empresses in the Hall of Earthly Peace.

Later, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was used for holding audiences with courtiers and foreign diplomats, and the Hall of Earthly Peace for offering sacrifices to the gods. The padouk wood cabinets, lacquer ware stove stands, craneshaped candle holders, and the cloisonni braziers and incense burners are all arranged as they were in the old days.

Imperial Garden

Outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility is Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden, which was built in 1417 in the Ming dynasty. The rectangular garden covers an area of about 12,000 square meters and was the private garden of the imperial family. It was the most typical imperial garden in China. There are about 20 structures of different styles. One will be astonished that structures can keep harmony with trees, rockeries, flowerbeds, and bronze incense burners in such a small space.

Qin'andian, the Hall of Imperial Peace, is the main structure in the garden and the only one on the central axis, and stands in the center of the garden, encircled in a rectangular wall. It was first built in the 15th century.

In front of the hall, there is a 400-year-old consort pine, symbolizing the harmony of the emperor and the empress. Two gilded unicorns, supposed to protect the hall from evil spirits, guard the door. Inside the hall, Zhenwudadi, the God of Water in Taoism, was worshiped, since he was supposed to protect the Forbidden City from fire.

On the four corners of the garden, there is one pavilion at each, symbolizing the four seasons respectively. The Pavilion of Myriad Springs is the most famous one and lies in the eastern corner of the garden. It was built in 1535 and restored during the Qing dynasty. This pavilion symbolizes the spring, and undoubtedly, there are also three other pavilions that represent the summer, autumn, and winter, respectively.

Duixiushan, Gathering Beauty Hill, is a little artificial mountain with a cave. It is located in the northeast. Yujingyuan (Pavilion of Imperial View) sits on top of the mountain. Emperors would climb up to the pavilion on the Double Ninth Festival to enjoy the scenery with the royal family.

In the garden, visitors will find some footpaths paved with colorful pebbles, which form different patterns, usually symbolizing luck and fortune. However, you may see a group of pictures depicting shrews punishing their husbands. It is very confusing that such pictures would appear in the imperial garden in feudal China when androcentrism and emperorcentrism were dominant.

The north end of the garden is Shenwumen, the Gate of Divine Might and the rear gate of the Forbidden City.

Hall for Ancestry Worship

Fengxiandian, Hall for Ancestral Worship, was built in 1656 during the Qing dynasty. It has a front hall and a rear hall, which are connected by a lobby. Its main function was to offer sacrifices to imperial ancestors. Grand sacrifice ceremonies would be held in its front hall on important occasions. On the days of their ancestors' birth, death, and traditional festivals, ceremonies would be held in the rear hall.

Shrines and statues in the hall were destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, and the lobby has been expanded. Now the hall looks almost square inside and is open to the public as the Clock and Watch Exhibition Hall. Different kinds of clocks and watches were given as gifts to the imperial family by foreign envoys in the Qing dynasty, worth seeing.

Huge Stone Carving

Behind the Hall of Preserved Harmony, in the middle of the stairway, is a huge piece of marble carving of nine dragons playing with pearls. It is the biggest stone sculpture in the Forbidden City. It was originally sculpted in the Ming dynasty and re-sculpted in the Qing dynasty.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, anyone who was caught touching this holy stone would be punished by the death penalty! The huge stone was hauled into the palace from Fangshan, about 70 kilometers away from Beijing city proper. The hard transportation took about a month and 20,000 men and thousands of mules, and horses.

The 16.57 meters long, 3.07 meters wide, and 1.7 meters thick stone weighs about 250 tons. It was said that a well was dug every 500 meters, and water was pumped out onto the road to facilitate transportation! Can you imagine that?

Six Eastern Palace

Dongliugong, Six Eastern Palaces, consists of Jingrengong (Palace of Great Benevolence), Chengqiangong (Palace of Celestial Favour), Yonghegong (Palace of Eternal Harmony), Jingyanggong (Palace of Great Brilliance), Zhongcuigong (Palace of Purity), and Yanxigong (Palace of Lasting Happiness).

The palace complex stands on the east side of the Inner Court. Most of the palaces were restored in the 17th century. These palaces were also the living quarters of the imperial concubines. Now, most of them have been turned into exhibition halls where Chinese treasures that were collected by the imperial family are displayed to the public.

Jingrengong (Palace of Great Benevolence) now holds an exhibition of more than 500 pieces of Bronze wares of ancient China, with two other halls, Zhaigong and Chengsudian. Visitors will see magnificent bronze wares displayed there.

In Chengqiangong (Palace of Celestial Favour) and Yonghegong (Palace of Eternal Harmony), now the Pottery and Porcelain Exhibition Hall, visitors will be privileged to appreciate pottery and porcelain wares dated from the Neolithic Age to the Qing dynasty.

Jingyanggong (Palace of Great Brilliance) has turned into an exhibition hall displaying lacquer wares, jade wares, stonewares, glassware, and metal wares, etc., from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is now the Ming and Qing Crafts Exhibition Hall.

Zhongcuigong (Palace of Purity) was the palace where the crown prince lived in the Ming dynasty.

Six Western Palaces

Xiliugong, Six Western Palaces, lies north of Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation), with three palaces on each side of an alley running from north to south. The complex was originally built with the Forbidden City. The group of palaces includes Yongshougong (Palace of Eternal Longevity), Yikungong (Palace of the Queen Consort), Chuxiugong (Palace for Gathering Elegance), Taijidian (Hall of the Supreme Pole), Changchungong (Palace of Eternal Spring), and Xianfugong (Palace of Universal Happiness).

Every palace has its courtyard, the front hall and the rear hall, and annexes. They were the residences for the emperors' women. Since in feudal China, emperors were polygamists, it was exaggerated that they had 3,000 wives. Since polygamous emperors usually had at least dozens of ladies, these palaces were necessary to lodge them. Now they are displayed to the public with their original settings untouched.

Chuxiugong (Palace of Gathering Elegance) is the most famous one among the six since the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi lived here for a long period. When hierarch Cixi was in power, although she was behind the throne, she spent a huge amount of money to decorate the palace, making it the most luxurious one to celebrate her 50th birthday in 1884. Now it is exhibited to visitors same way as that time.

Outside on the stone stands, there are a couple of bronze dragons and a couple of bronze deer. Inside, original delicate pieces of furniture and decorations are now on display are all original pieces that Cixi used.

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Yangxindian, the Hall of Mental Cultivation, is of significance in the Forbidden City. It was built in the Ming dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing dynasty. From Emperor Yongzheng, the Qing emperors lived and practiced their rule here. Three emperors had died here.

The hall has a front hall and a rear hall, which was the emperor's bedroom. In the center of the front hall, emperors summoned their ministers to consult on state affairs. On the bookshelf behind the throne, there used to be books prepared for a new emperor to show him how to reign.

In the East Warmth Chamber, the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi attended to state affairs behind the curtain. The chamber is now displayed as her time. She ruled China behind a yellow curtain for 48 years here under her policy of quislism. In the West Warmth Chamber, emperors from Yongzheng to Xianfeng interviewed their ministers to consult or give secret orders.

The small house in the west end is named Sanxitang (Hall of Three Rare Treasures), since Emperor Qianlong collected and held three outstanding calligraphy masterpieces by Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, and Wang Xun, three masters in Chinese calligraphy. There still hang plaques written by Emperor Qianlong.

The lobby extending between the center of the front hall and the rear hall connects them. There are five imperial bedrooms, one in the center and the other four flanking it.

The courtyards east and west of the rear hall are temporary lodgings of empresses and concubines, respectively, when they were granted an interview and bedtime with the Emperors. They were forbidden to come here without the emperor's permission.

On February 12th, 1912, under the heavy blow of the Revolution of 1911 led by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Emperor Dowager Longyu presided over the final cabinet meeting of the Qing dynasty, and was forced to decide abdication and sign the imperial abdication declaration here. However, the imperial family was privileged to stay in the Inner Court until 1924 when they were driven out by General Feng Yuxiang.

Palace of Tranquil Longevity

The group of structures was first built in 1689 and named Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity). When rebuilt in 1772, the name was replaced with Huangjidian (Hall of Imperial Supremacy). However, the rear hall was still named Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity). The structures here were the shrunken Forbidden City since it was rebuilt for the Emperor's abdication.

Now painting exhibition is held here to show famous paintings dated from the Jin dynasty to the Qing dynasty. The halls and adjacent houses have a collection of more than 100,000 pieces.

Standing at Huangjimen, the Gate of Imperial Supremacy, look south and you can see the Nine Dragon Screen. The north side of Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity) is Leshoutang (Hall of Joyful Longevity).

Nine Dragon Screen

Nine Dragon Screen is one of the three famous Nine Dragon Screens in China, the best and the biggest in China. The glazed tile screen was built in 1771 under the reign of Emperor Qianlong, and is 3.5 meters high and about 30 meters long. It is composed of 270 pieces of glazed tiles, depicting 9 surging dragons playing with pearls, with a background of clouds and seawater. The relief screen applies yellow, blue, white, and purple and looks gorgeous.

The screen indicates emperors' supremacy by arranging nine dragons in the front and 5 on the edge, since they believed nine is the largest single number and 5 the middle, representing Heavenly Son in combination.

The belly of the third white dragon was inserted with a piece of wood. A Story tells that it was fired and broken in the kiln, which meant nobody would be alive. A carpenter repaired it with a piece of wood. And the imperial inspector did not discover!

Palace of Double Glory

The Chonghua Palace (Palace of Double Glory) was located in a compound north of the six Western Palaces and was built by Emperor Yongzheng for his heir-designate (Emperor Qianlong) in 1727. Emperor Qianlong was a tea lover, and he met friends and government officials in this palace and held tea banquets here every New Year's Day. Everything remains now as it was in the Qianlong period.

Gate of Celestial Purity

Qianqingmen, Gate of Celestial Purity, is the main gate of the Inner Court. In front of the gate, there is a square which runs 200 meters long from east to west and extends only 30 meters from north to south. The square separates the Outer Court and the Inner Court and integrates them.

In the Qing dynasty, it was the place where emperors, sitting on the throne set in the middle of the gate, heard reports and made decisions. The huts standing left and right are duty rooms and waiting rooms for ministers waiting for interviews, etc.

Outside of the gate, against the red wall, are ten gilded bronze vats, shining. The huge vats are decorations and reservoirs in case of fire. Every one of these vats weighs 4 tons itself and can hold 4 tons of water. There are a total of 308 vats in the whole palace, including 22 of this kind.

Palace of Celestial Purity

Inside Qianqingmen (Gate of Celestial Palace), you will see Qianqinggong, the Palace of Celestial Purity, which used to be the bedroom palace of emperors.

The Palace of Celestial Purity is the smaller twin of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Every item similar to that of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is smaller than the latter. Since it was esteemed as inferior to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

However, it is the largest structure in the Inner Court since it is superior to any other structure in the Inner Court. It was built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1798. It didn't survive fires several times! Ming emperors and the first two Qing emperors lived inside the palace and attended to daily state affairs.

They also read, signed documents, and interviewed ministers and envoys. Banquets and rites would occasionally be held here, too. In 1722 and 1785, a Banquet for A Thousand Seniors was held here twice. Old men over 60 from the nation presented the events. Emperor Qianlong even sent them presents.

Later, Emperor Yongzheng moved his living quarters to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which is located right to the west of this palace. However, it still played a significant role in imperial life.

Moreover, in the Qing dynasty, no matter where the emperor died, his coffin should be set in the palace for a few days to hold memorial ceremonies. Later, the coffin would be moved to Jinshan and then buried in the mausoleum on a selected day.

In the middle of the palace, the throne is seated on stairs, surrounded by decorations like cloisonne incense burners, long red candles, and big mirrors, which were placed beside the throne to ward off evil spirits. On the columns surrounding, there are two pairs of couplets written by Qing emperors.

Over the throne hangs a plaque engraved with 4 Chinese characters, which were written by Emperor Yongzheng and mean Justice and Brightness. From Emperor Yongzheng, the crown princes' names would be written on duplicate documents, and a copy would be hidden in a box behind the plaque. The other copy would be hidden with the emperor. If the designated names on the two copies were the same, the designated prince would take the crown.

Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union

Jiaotaidian, the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union, was first built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655 and 1798, respectively. It indicates the emperor and the empress have a nice marriage. It looks like Zhonghedian, the Hall of Central Harmony in shape and is the smallest among the three main palaces in the Inner Court.

Usually, empresses would receive formal birthday greetings here. Empresses would inspect preparations before they went to preside over memorial ceremonies for the Silkworm God and practise sericulture. Emperor Shunzhi's order that eunuchs should be banned from attending to state affairs was placed here.

To the right of the throne, visitors will see an ancient Chinese water pot, equivalent to a sandglass, and to the left, there is a chime clock. The two timers used to be the reference for the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower.

In addition, the palace also holds 25 imperial seals. Since Emperor Qianlong hoped that the Qing dynasty could last 25 reigns to exceed the East Zhou dynasty, the longest dynasty in China. However, history disappointed him; the Qing dynasty only lasted ten reigns.

Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility

Kunninggong, Palace of Terrestrial tranquility, was first built in 1420 and restored in 1655. It was the only Manchurian architecture in the Forbidden City and the residence palace of the empress during the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty.

However, in the Qing dynasty, the bridal emperor and empress only lived in the East Warmth Chamber of this palace for a few days. Later, the emperor would move to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The empress would move to another palace.

The emperor's bridal chamber in the East Warmth Chamber was painted red, and there were palace lamps pasted with red Double Happiness to heat up a happy atmosphere. The delicate and exquisite embroidered bed curtain and quilt both feature a hundred playing children. The emperors all expected more children to show the imperial family's prosperity.

In the West Warmth Chamber, a sacrifice would be held every day. On important occasions, emperors and empresses would preside over the ceremonies themselves.

Behind the palace, it is the Kunningmen, the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility, with imperial doctors' duty room, dispensary, and eunuchs' duty room flanking it.

Forbidden City Relic

Some of the rooms and halls in the Forbidden City have been set up as history museums, painting museums, pottery museums, bronze museum, art museum of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the four treasures museum, watch museum, and the Qing court judgments exhibition.

These museums contain a huge display of a large collection of ancient artworks. A total of 1,052,653 pieces are preserved in the Forbidden City, accounting for one-sixth of the total number of Chinese cultural relics. The Forbidden City is the largest historical museum of cultural relics in China. Many of these relics are unique and a priceless national treasure.

Plan a Forbidden City Tour

The Forbidden City is the largest surviving palace complex in the world. Its ancient palatial structure has been influential in the subsequent development of Chinese architecture, as well as inspiring many modern constructions. The Forbidden City is one of the must-see attractions in Beijing.

• 1-day Forbidden City Tour in Beijing