Beijing - The Forbidden City

 The Palace Museum or the Forbidden City was used as the royal palace in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was home to 24 emperors for as long as 500 years from 1406 when Emperor Chengzu of Ming started its construction, to 1911 when Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, abdicated.  The last emperor ascended the throne at the age of three in 1908, but a new Republican Government brought his brief reign to an early end in 1912. The young ex-emperor continued to live in the Forbidden City until he was ejected in 1924. The Communists later imprisoned him until Mao granted him immunity in 1959. He died in 1967 after working for seven years as a gardener. In 1949, the public was finally admitted through the palace gates.

 The construction lasted 15 years. Its large scale and imposing effect is rarely seen in China’s architectural history. Miraculously, the palace survived fire, water, and imperial China’s final collapse.

The Forbidden City, forming a rectangle in shape, covers a total area of 720,000 square meters. On its four sides stand 10-meter high walls with a corner tower at each of its four corners. Outside the wall runs a 52-meter-wide moat, composing a strong defense network. Inside the Forbidden City we find magnificent palaces, broad squares, fine pavilions and beautiful gardens.

The Forbidden City embodies architectural principles devised through three millennia in the Shang Dynasty. Each main hall faces south, and looks upon a courtyard flanked by lesser buildings. This symmetry of Taoyuan, a series of courtyards, leading to the main and final courtyard, repeats itself along a north-south axis that bisects the imperial palace. 

According to traditional theory of yin-yang and Five Elements, the Outer Court, representing yang , is the place where the Ming and Qing emperors wielded power, held ceremonies and summoned ministers. The layout of the Outer Court is centered on Three Grand Halls, namely Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Middle Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony. The three Grand Halls, imposing and magnificent, fully indicate the dignity of the imperial power.

 In front of the Gate of Supreme Harmony one finds a pair of bronze lions, which is the largest pair found in the Forbidden City. The one on the left stepping on a ball is the male, and the one on the right clutching an infant lion with its claw is a female. The Gate of Supreme Harmony is the highest-ranking gate in the Forbidden City   

The Inner Court, representing yin, was where the emperor and empress and imperial concubines lived. It centers on the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union and Peace, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Six Eastern Palaces and six Western Palaces are located to house the imperial concubines. The layout of the whole complex is strictly in line with China’s royal architectural tradition. 

The emperor regarded himself as the son of Heaven, and the royal palace was called Purple Palace, symbolizing that all is submitted to the emperor and the rule over the country is steady and unchangeable. The palace had tight security and the access of ordinary people was completely forbidden, and so it was called The Forbidden City. Since the People’s Republic of China was founded, the Forbidden City became of the key units for preservation of cultural relics. In 1987 UNESCO included the Forbidden City on its World Heritage List. This ancient and magnificent architectural complex displays its historical and cultural beauty to all visitors home and abroad.

 

               

A visit thru the Imperial Gardens must be included in your tour of the Forbidden City if time allows. You will walk thru rocks, pebbles, and greenery. Of special note is the Hill of Gathered Excellence, stacked by lake stones in the form of a pyramid, on top of which sits the Pavilion of Imperial Scenery with a conical pyramid roof. It is here the emperor, empress and imperial concubines would sit to enjoy different Festivals.