Inner Court - Beijing, China
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Inner Court Beijing
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Travel blogs from Inner Court:
- ... Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here ...
- ... Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here ...
- ... Until 1924 (when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court ) 14 emperors of the Ming dynasty and 10 emperors of the Qing dynasty lived there ...
- ... The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family ...
- ... Court were busy but it was a delight to explore many of the quiet, tiny, inter-connecting courtyards of the Inner Court, which once housed the Emperor's hundreds of eunuchs and harem of concubines, and to stroll through the peacefully landscaped ...
- ... Finally, the last Inner Court building was the Kunning Gōng or the Palace of Earthly Tranquillity, the place where the empress ...
- ... Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here ...
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- Beijing, China
Photos in this video:
- Peaceful C**** - Inner Court of Forbidden City by Globetrekker from a blog titled Forbidden City
- Inner Court, Forbidden City, Beijing by Kaasha from a blog titled Day 2 in Beijing.
- Palace in the Inner Court by Chmielewskij from a blog titled Forbidden Delights
CHINA: BEIJING: IMPERIAL COURT TIME PIECES EXHIBITION
Mandarin/Eng/Nat
A treasure trove of antique time pieces belonging to the Imperial Court on display at Beijing's Forbidden City, has been drawing crowds of Chinese and foreign tourists eager to catch a glimpse of some of the world's finest ornate clocks.
The exhibit also serves as an experiment being conducted by officials of the Palace Museum to test the movements and time-keeping accuracy of the delicate machines that havn't been touched for years.
As home to a succession of Chinese emperors over the past 800 years, Beijing's Forbidden City stands as a reminder of the endurance and splendour of the Imperial Court.
Since 1925, after the departure of China's last emperor, the palace grounds have been maintained as a tourist attraction and a repository for some of the nation's priceless imperial treasures.
Officials at the Clock Hall of the Palace Museum have recently dusted off some of the most precious and intricate old time pieces for public display.
Tourists visiting the east wing of the Baohe Hall can view a collection of nine gold and gilt copper clocks which have been set to run in real time as a test of their accuracy and the strength of their moving parts.
Chosen from a collection of about 1-thousand antique clocks preserved in the palace museum, the nine time pieces have performed well since officials reset the hands to reflect real time and cranked up the coiled motors.
While all of the clocks are more than 100 years old, they still perform accurately.
Organisers say the clockwork display is for the public to enjoy.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
We are letting the clocks run for a while to show everyone and let them know the functions and wonders of the clocks.
SUPER CAPTION:Mr. Shan, Director of the Forbidden City Inner Court in charge of antiques
Clocks in the Palace Museum include those produced in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Imperial Clockmaking Workshop.
Others were crafted in China's southern Guangzhou province and Jiangsu Province in the east.
Some of the clocks were presented as gifts from European countries to the Chinese emperors.
The Chinese clockmaking industry began in the 18th century and its technique was perfected in the 19th century.
Mr Shan said they're taking care when winding up the clocks.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
But at the same time we are testing whether this operation will cause some damage to the clocks. So this is a period of expermentation.
SUPER CAPTION:Mr. Shan, Director of the Forbidden City Inner Court in charge of antiques
During the Qing Dynasty a great number of European metal handicrafts were imported, allowing Chinese craftsmen to combine the best of eastern artistry and western mechanical works.
When put into motion these clocks create harmony of movement and sound with distinctive chimes and decorative figures, flowers and animals performing intricate movements.
The Imperial Clockmaking Workshop in China was established in 1732 and employed over 100 craftsmen from both China and the west who were skilled in engineering, music and painting.
Their products were designed to please and amuse the emperors.
People at the clock display said a visit to the exhibition is time well spent.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
I like it very much. These are all treasures with historical heritage.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
For the past 30 years these clocks have sat in silent storage to avoid damage.
They are now up and running to determine how the ravages of time have affected their movement.
Some visitors at the clock show said the good old fashioned way of telling the time is the best.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
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The Forbidden City: Life in the Inner Court
Our Head of Creatvie, Dave Hollands explains how his team designed the Inner Court section of the exhibition and what can be found there. via YouTube Capture
Forbidden City: Inner Court
Beijing, China
Heavy Rain in Beijing Brings about Rare Scene at Forbidden City
Despite the tremendous disruption that heavy rain brought to Beijing on Wednesday, at least the Forbidden City remained flood-free due to its sound drainage system.
Due to the heavy downpour throughout the day, the water level of the Inner Golden Water River rose sharply, but the 600-year-old Forbidden City, or the Palace Museum, and its dragon-headed drain spouts not only served their function, but also presented a rare scene.
Visitors on that day were able to witness all 1,142 dragon spouts drain water from the upper platforms on which the principal palace halls are built.
It is really an uncommon scene. Only when the rain is heavy can we see water pour out of these nine dragon drain spouts, said Qi Fei, a senior engineer of the historic building department at the Palace Museum.
The drain spouts were primarily built on the platforms of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. More on:
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Puppet Emperor's Palace (Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo) / 伪满皇宫博物院
The Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo / 伪满皇宫博物院 / 偽滿皇宮博物院 (literally: 'The Illegitimate Manchukuo Imperial Palace Museum') is a museum in the northeastern corner of Changchun, Jilin province, northeast China. The palace was the official residence created by the Imperial Japanese Army for China's last emperor Puyi to live in as part of his role as Emperor of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. In the People's Republic of China, the structures are generally referred to as the Puppet Emperor's Palace & Exhibition Hall.
In 1931, the Japanese took control of the Northeast of China, the area of modern-day Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, which were historically known as Manchuria. The Japanese created an officially independent state in Manchuria which they named Manchukuo which was in reality a puppet state of Japan. In an attempt to lend legitimacy to Manchukuo, the Japanese installed Puyi, the deposed last emperor of Qing dynasty China, as Emperor of Manchukuo.
Puyi's role was largely a symbolic one as head of state. The one item of state business he was allowed to control was the construction of a new palace. Two groups within the government put forward different plans. The Mantetsu wanted a modern palace design that integrated itself into the new city of Hsinking (modern day Changchun). The Construction Corps Bureau favoured a south facing palace modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Puyi favoured the latter. A site was set aside in the western part of the city for the new palace and another central location was chosen for the construction of a temporary palace. The western site was soon abandoned leaving the central site as the main palace. However, with the onset of World War II, resources for construction were diverted. Work on the palace halted in 1943, and as a result the new palace was never completed.
Without a proper palace, Puyi was instead accommodated in a building outside the urban area, near the railway lines. The building had previously been the offices of the Salt Gabelle, lending the building the nickname of the salt palace. The building was really unsuitable for its purpose, it was small and cramped for the palace of a head of state. Puyi was resident at this palace from 1932 to 1945.
On the 8 August 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on the Empire of Japan. The Soviet Red Army invaded Manchuria from the north. By 20 August 1945 the Red Army had overrun almost all of Manchukuo. The Japanese Empire surrendered unconditionally ending World War II and simultaneously Manchukuo ceased to exist. Puyi fled the palace, attempting to reach Japan by plane, but was captured by the Soviets. The palace and surrounding city were looted.
In 1962 the structures were preserved and opened as the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo (伪满皇宫博物院 / 偽滿皇宮博物院). The exhibits were expanded with that of the former Jilin Museum in 1982, and renovated in 1984. The entire complex was renovated in 2004. The palace was the actual setting in Bernardo Bertolucci's 1987 biographical film of Puyi, The Last Emperor, depicting Puyi's reign as Emperor of Manchukuo.
The Manchurian Imperial Palace was designed as a miniature version of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was divided into an inner court and outer court. The outer or front court was used for administrative purposes and the inner or rear court as the royal residence. The palace covers an area of 43,000 square meters.
The inner court includes the private living quarters for Puyi and his family. Its main structures include the Jixi Building on the west courtyard and the Tongde Hall on the east courtyard. The outer court contained buildings for affairs of state. Its main buildings include the Qianmin Building, the Huanyuan Building and Jiale Hall. The architecture of the buildings is in a wide range of styles: Chinese, Japanese, and European.
Within the complex were gardens, including rockeries and a fish pond, a swimming pool, air-raid shelter, a tennis court, a small golf course and a horse track.
Around the courtyards were nine two-storey blockhouses for the Manchukuo Imperial Guard, and the entire complex was surrounded by high concrete walls.
360 of Inner Forbidden City Beijing China
360 view of an inner court of the Forbidden City Beijing China
forbidden city beijing wide view of inner court
forbidden city beijing wide view of inner court
Slideshow: Puppet Emperor's Palace (Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo) / 伪满皇宫博物院
The Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo / 伪满皇宫博物院 / 偽滿皇宮博物院 (literally: 'The Illegitimate Manchukuo Imperial Palace Museum') is a museum in the northeastern corner of Changchun, Jilin province, northeast China. The palace was the official residence created by the Imperial Japanese Army for China's last emperor Puyi to live in as part of his role as Emperor of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. In the People's Republic of China, the structures are generally referred to as the Puppet Emperor's Palace & Exhibition Hall.
In 1931, the Japanese took control of the Northeast of China, the area of modern-day Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, which were historically known as Manchuria. The Japanese created an officially independent state in Manchuria which they named Manchukuo which was in reality a puppet state of Japan. In an attempt to lend legitimacy to Manchukuo, the Japanese installed Puyi, the deposed last emperor of Qing dynasty China, as Emperor of Manchukuo.
Puyi's role was largely a symbolic one as head of state. The one item of state business he was allowed to control was the construction of a new palace. Two groups within the government put forward different plans. The Mantetsu wanted a modern palace design that integrated itself into the new city of Hsinking (modern day Changchun). The Construction Corps Bureau favoured a south facing palace modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Puyi favoured the latter. A site was set aside in the western part of the city for the new palace and another central location was chosen for the construction of a temporary palace. The western site was soon abandoned leaving the central site as the main palace. However, with the onset of World War II, resources for construction were diverted. Work on the palace halted in 1943, and as a result the new palace was never completed.
Without a proper palace, Puyi was instead accommodated in a building outside the urban area, near the railway lines. The building had previously been the offices of the Salt Gabelle, lending the building the nickname of the salt palace. The building was really unsuitable for its purpose, it was small and cramped for the palace of a head of state. Puyi was resident at this palace from 1932 to 1945.
On the 8 August 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on the Empire of Japan. The Soviet Red Army invaded Manchuria from the north. By 20 August 1945 the Red Army had overrun almost all of Manchukuo. The Japanese Empire surrendered unconditionally ending World War II and simultaneously Manchukuo ceased to exist. Puyi fled the palace, attempting to reach Japan by plane, but was captured by the Soviets. The palace and surrounding city were looted.
In 1962 the structures were preserved and opened as the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo (伪满皇宫博物院 / 偽滿皇宮博物院). The exhibits were expanded with that of the former Jilin Museum in 1982, and renovated in 1984. The entire complex was renovated in 2004. The palace was the actual setting in Bernardo Bertolucci's 1987 biographical film of Puyi, The Last Emperor, depicting Puyi's reign as Emperor of Manchukuo.
The Manchurian Imperial Palace was designed as a miniature version of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was divided into an inner court and outer court. The outer or front court was used for administrative purposes and the inner or rear court as the royal residence. The palace covers an area of 43,000 square meters.
The inner court includes the private living quarters for Puyi and his family. Its main structures include the Jixi Building on the west courtyard and the Tongde Hall on the east courtyard. The outer court contained buildings for affairs of state. Its main buildings include the Qianmin Building, the Huanyuan Building and Jiale Hall. The architecture of the buildings is in a wide range of styles: Chinese, Japanese, and European.
Within the complex were gardens, including rockeries and a fish pond, a swimming pool, air-raid shelter, a tennis court, a small golf course and a horse track.
Around the courtyards were nine two-storey blockhouses for the Manchukuo Imperial Guard, and the entire complex was surrounded by high concrete walls.
Streets of Beijing:Walking along the ancient Qianmen Street 前门大街
This video is about Walking along Qianmen 前门
Equipment: GoPro7 Black
Traditionally, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The Outer Court (外朝) or Front Court (前朝) includes the southern sections, and was used for ceremonial purposes. The Inner Court (内廷) or Back Palace (后宫) includes the northern sections, and was the residence of the Emperor and his family, and was used for day-to-day affairs of state. (The approximate dividing line shown as red dash in the plan above.) Generally, the Forbidden City has three vertical axes. The most important buildings are situated on the central north–south axis.
Entering from the Meridian Gate, one encounters a large square, pierced by the meandering Inner Golden Water River, which is crossed by five bridges. Beyond the square stands the Gate of Supreme Harmony (F). Behind that is the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square.[43] A three-tiered white marble terrace rises from this square. Three halls stand on top of this terrace, the focus of the palace complex. From the south, these are the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿), the Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿).
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (G) is the largest, and rises some 30 metres (98 ft) above the level of the surrounding square. It is the ceremonial centre of imperial power, and the largest surviving wooden structure in China. It is nine bays wide and five bays deep, the numbers 9 and 5 being symbolically connected to the majesty of the Emperor.[45] Set into the ceiling at the centre of the hall is an intricate caisson decorated with a coiled dragon, from the mouth of which issues a chandelier-like set of metal balls, called the Xuanyuan Mirror. In the Ming dynasty, the Emperor held court here to discuss affairs of state. During the Qing dynasty, as Emperors held court far more frequently, a less ceremonious location was used instead, and the Hall of Supreme Harmony was only used for ceremonial purposes, such as coronations, investitures, and imperial weddings.
The Hall of Central Harmony is a smaller, square hall, used by the Emperor to prepare and rest before and during ceremonies.[48] Behind it, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, was used for rehearsing ceremonies, and was also the site of the final stage of the Imperial examination.[49] All three halls feature imperial thrones, the largest and most elaborate one being that in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.[50]
At the centre of the ramps leading up to the terraces from the northern and southern sides are ceremonial ramps, part of the Imperial Way, featuring elaborate and symbolic bas-relief carvings. The northern ramp, behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony, is carved from a single piece of stone 16.57 metres (54.4 ft) long, 3.07 metres (10.1 ft) wide, and 1.7 metres (5.6 ft) thick. It weighs some 200 tonnes and is the largest such carving in China.[12] The southern ramp, in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, is even longer, but is made from two stone slabs joined together – the joint was ingeniously hidden using overlapping bas-relief carvings, and was only discovered when weathering widened the gap in the 20th century.[51]
In the south west and south east of the Outer Court are the halls of Military Eminence (H) and Literary Glory (J). The former was used at various times for the Emperor to receive ministers and hold court, and later housed the Palace's own printing house. The latter was used for ceremonial lectures by highly regarded Confucian scholars, and later became the office of the Grand Secretariat. A copy of the Siku Quanshu was stored there. To the north-east are the Southern Three Places (南三所) (K), which was the residence of the Crown Prince.[43]
Back Three Palaces[edit]
At the centre of the Inner Court is another set of three halls (L). From the south, these are:
* Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宮)
* Hall of Union
* Palace of Earthly Tranquility
Western Six Palaces[edit]
* Palace of Eternal Longevity (永寿宫)
* Hall of the Supreme Principle (太极殿)
* Palace of Eternal Spring (长春宫)
* Palace of Earthly Honour (翊坤宫)
* Palace of Gathering Elegance (储秀宫)
* Palace of Universal Happiness (咸福宫)
* Palace of Benevolence Tranquility (慈宁宮 )
*
Eastern Six Palaces[edit]
* Palace of Great Benevolence (景仁宫)
* Palace of Heavenly Grace (承乾宫)
* Palace of Accumulated Purity (锺粹宫)
* Palace of Prolonged Happiness (延禧宫)
* Palace of Great Brilliance (景阳宫)
* Palace of Eternal Harmony (永和宫)
Forbidden City - Panorama of the Inner Court
Recorded 11th August, 2015.
Forbidden City Part IV The Inner Court
The forbidden city in Beijing is the largest palace museum in the world and has a long history. This is a video series arranged as follows:
Part I discusses the concept of spatial planning.
Part II discusses Buildings and Plaza in the South of the Forbidden City.
Part III discusses the outside of the Forbidden City Palace.
Part IV discusses the inside of the Forbidden City Palace
Part V discusses the Palace of Consorts
Part VI Settlements Outside the Palace
Part VII Hutong Art and Tourism
Presented by and
Visit our website and see the video collection.
The version in Bahasa Indonesia can be watched
Finding Beijing, China's Inner Geek
There's more to see in Beijing than the Forbidden City and Great Wall, especially if you are a geek or simply interested in China's growing high-technology industry.
Beijing airport (PEK): International arrival at the Terminal 3
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the main international airport serving Beijing. Beijing Capital added Terminal 3 in 2008 in time for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the second largest airport terminal in the world. It is also the second busiest airport in the world.
This video shows the arrival process at terminal 3. It also shows the resources than are available in the arrival area.
We also show the three transportation options to reach the city center: (1) the Airport Express which connects to the subway network; (2) buses that can take you to various places in the city (cheapest option); or (3) taxis.
The Airport Express operates from 06h21 to 22h51. The fare is 25RMB, payable in cash. You can also pay using the transportation card (Yikatong). The card can be purchased at the ticket counter of the Airport Express. Here is a map of the Beijing subway:
You can also watch our video on how to use the Beijing subway:
There are many buses that can take you to various places in Beijing. This is the most economical mode of transportation. The list of bus lines as well as their stops, fares and schedules can be found on the official airport website:
Taxis are the simplest way to reach your destination in Beijing. The fare to the center of the city is about 90 to 125RMB. Taxi drivers do not speak English. You need the name of your hotel as well as the address in writing in Chinese. This can usually be found on the hotel website. Taxis in Beijing use the meter. If your driver proposes a fixed rate, get out and take another taxi. In addition to the amount shown on the meter, you may have to pay the toll. Minivans are also available for larger families.
To search live China train schedule or book train tickets in China, please check china-diy-travel.com
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Palace Museum / The Forbidden City 故宫博物院 / 紧禁城 Video #1 Beijing Cultural Heritage Site
National Palace Museum aka The Forbidden City 故宫博物院 Video #1
Equipment: GoPro7 Black
Traditionally, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The Outer Court (外朝) or Front Court (前朝) includes the southern sections, and was used for ceremonial purposes. The Inner Court (内廷) or Back Palace (后宫) includes the northern sections, and was the residence of the Emperor and his family, and was used for day-to-day affairs of state. (The approximate dividing line shown as red dash in the plan above.) Generally, the Forbidden City has three vertical axes. The most important buildings are situated on the central north–south axis.
Entering from the Meridian Gate, one encounters a large square, pierced by the meandering Inner Golden Water River, which is crossed by five bridges. Beyond the square stands the Gate of Supreme Harmony (F). Behind that is the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square.[43] A three-tiered white marble terrace rises from this square. Three halls stand on top of this terrace, the focus of the palace complex. From the south, these are the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿), the Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿).
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (G) is the largest, and rises some 30 metres (98 ft) above the level of the surrounding square. It is the ceremonial centre of imperial power, and the largest surviving wooden structure in China. It is nine bays wide and five bays deep, the numbers 9 and 5 being symbolically connected to the majesty of the Emperor.[45] Set into the ceiling at the centre of the hall is an intricate caisson decorated with a coiled dragon, from the mouth of which issues a chandelier-like set of metal balls, called the Xuanyuan Mirror. In the Ming dynasty, the Emperor held court here to discuss affairs of state. During the Qing dynasty, as Emperors held court far more frequently, a less ceremonious location was used instead, and the Hall of Supreme Harmony was only used for ceremonial purposes, such as coronations, investitures, and imperial weddings.
The Hall of Central Harmony is a smaller, square hall, used by the Emperor to prepare and rest before and during ceremonies.[48] Behind it, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, was used for rehearsing ceremonies, and was also the site of the final stage of the Imperial examination.[49] All three halls feature imperial thrones, the largest and most elaborate one being that in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
At the centre of the ramps leading up to the terraces from the northern and southern sides are ceremonial ramps, part of the Imperial Way, featuring elaborate and symbolic bas-relief carvings. The northern ramp, behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony, is carved from a single piece of stone 16.57 metres (54.4 ft) long, 3.07 metres (10.1 ft) wide, and 1.7 metres (5.6 ft) thick. It weighs some 200 tonnes and is the largest such carving in China.The southern ramp, in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, is even longer, but is made from two stone slabs joined together – the joint was ingeniously hidden using overlapping bas-relief carvings, and was only discovered when weathering widened the gap in the 20th century.
In the south west and south east of the Outer Court are the halls of Military Eminence (H) and Literary Glory (J). The former was used at various times for the Emperor to receive ministers and hold court, and later housed the Palace's own printing house. The latter was used for ceremonial lectures by highly regarded Confucian scholars, and later became the office of the Grand Secretariat. A copy of the Siku Quanshu was stored there. To the north-east are the Southern Three Places (南三所) (K), which was the residence of the Crown Prince.[43]
Back Three Palaces
At the centre of the Inner Court is another set of three halls (L). From the south, these are:
* Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宮)
* Hall of Union
* Palace of Earthly Tranquility
Western Six Palaces
* Palace of Eternal Longevity (永寿宫)
* Hall of the Supreme Principle (太极殿)
* Palace of Eternal Spring (长春宫)
* Palace of Earthly Honour (翊坤宫)
* Palace of Gathering Elegance (储秀宫)
* Palace of Universal Happiness (咸福宫)
* Palace of Benevolence Tranquility (慈宁宮 )
*
Eastern Six Palaces
* Palace of Great Benevolence (景仁宫)
* Palace of Heavenly Grace (承乾宫)
* Palace of Accumulated Purity (锺粹宫)
* Palace of Prolonged Happiness (延禧宫)
* Palace of Great Brilliance (景阳宫)
* Palace of Eternal Harmony (永和宫)
Forbidden City, Beijing, Municipality of Beijing, China, Asia
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the centre of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 720,000 m2 (7,800,000 sq ft). The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been under the charge of the Palace Museum, whose extensive collection of artwork and artifacts were built upon the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Part of the museum's former collection is now located in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Both museums descend from the same institution, but were split after the Chinese Civil War. The common English name, the Forbidden City, is a translation of the Chinese name Zijin Cheng. Another english name of similar origin is Forbidden Palace. The name Zijin Cheng is a name with significance on many levels. Zi, or Purple, refers to the North Star, which in ancient China was called the Ziwei Star, and in traditional Chinese astrology was the heavenly abode of the Celestial Emperor. The surrounding celestial region, the Ziwei Enclosure, was the realm of the Celestial Emperor and his family. The Forbidden City, as the residence of the terrestrial emperor, was its earthly counterpart. Jin, or Forbidden, referred to the fact that no one could enter or leave the palace without the emperor's permission. Cheng means a walled city. Today, the site is most commonly known in Chinese as Gùgōng, which means the Former Palace. The museum which is based in these buildings is known as the Palace Museum. The Forbidden City was and is situated on the Imperial City during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Upon the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor moved the capital from Beijing in the north to Nanjing in the south, and ordered that the Yuan palaces be burnt down. When his son Zhu Di became the Yongle Emperor, he moved the capital back to Beijing, and construction began in 1406 of what would become the Forbidden City. Construction lasted 14 years and required more than a million workers. Material used include whole logs of precious Phoebe zhennan wood found in the jungles of south-western China, and large blocks of marble from quarries near Beijing. The floors of major halls were paved with golden bricks, specially baked paving bricks from Suzhou. On 28 October 1420, Beijing is officially designated the capital of the Ming Dynasty on the same year that the Forbidden City is completed. From 1420 to 1644, the Forbidden City was the seat of the Ming Dynasty. In April 1644, it was captured by rebel forces led by Li Zicheng, who proclaimed himself emperor of the Shun Dynasty. He soon fled before the combined armies of former Ming general Wu Sangui and Manchu forces, setting fire to parts of the Forbidden City in the process. By October, the Manchus had achieved supremacy in northern China, and a ceremony was held at the Forbidden City to proclaim the young Shunzhi Emperor as ruler of all China under the Qing Dynasty. The Qing rulers changed the names on some of the principal buildings, to emphasise Harmony rather than Supremacy, made the name plates bilingual (Chinese and Manchu), and introduced Shamanist elements to the palace. In 1860, during the Second Opium War, Anglo-French forces took control of the Forbidden City and occupied it until the end of the war. In 1900 Empress Dowager Cixi fled from the Forbidden City during the Boxer Rebellion, leaving it to be occupied by forces of the treaty powers until the following year. After being the home of 24 emperors 14 of the Ming Dynasty and 10 of the Qing Dynasty the Forbidden City ceased being the political centre of China in 1912 with the abdication of Puyi, the last Emperor of China. Under an agreement with the new Republic of China government, Puyi remained in the Inner Court, while the Outer Court was given over to public use, until he was evicted after a coup in 1924. The Palace Museum was then established in the Forbidden City in 1925. In 1933, the Japanese invasion of China forced the evacuation of the national treasures in the Forbidden City.
Beijing Travel Guide - Forbidden City Documentary (Palace Museum) Part 1 Secrets HD
Seat of supreme power for over five centuries (1420-1911), the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its landscaped gardens and many buildings, constitutes a priceless testimony to Chinese civilization during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
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Situated at the city center in Beijing - The Forbidden City was the imperial palace for twenty-four emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties and it was the most powerful place for about 5 centuries. It is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat and a 10-meter-high wall. It is the best-preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world.
Only the imperial court members were allowed in the city hence to outsiders it was the “Forbidden City”. Even till date a small portion of the city is open to Public. It has about ten thousand room but a few are accessible to public.
You can only do a south-to-north unidirectional visit. Visitors can only enter through the Meridian Gate (Wumen) and leave from the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen) or East Prosperity Gate (Donghuamen). Three to four hours is enough for touring the central axis; if you have interest in exploring more about the imperial palace, more time need to be spent in the west and east wings.
Meridian Gate was the place where the Emperor announced the new lunar calendar on the winter solstice. Enter through Meridian Gate, and go across Golden Stream Bridge, then you will arrive at the outer court.
It is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family.
The Outer Court
The outer court is made up of three main buildings, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian). These halls were where the emperors attended the grand ceremonies and conducted state affairs.
The first hall waiting for you is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important and largest structure in the Forbidden City. The emperors' Dragon Throne (Longyi) is in this hall.
Out from the Hall of the Preserving Harmony, you will notice a huge block of marble carved with cloud and dragon designs. Go straight, and you will see another gate, called the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Qianqingmen). This is the main gateway to the inner living court.
The Inner Court
The inner court is composed of the three main structures at the rear of the Forbidden City, namely the Palace of Heavenly Peace (Qianqinggong), the Palace of Union and Peace(Jiaotaidian) and the Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunninggong).
Exiting and going further north, travelers will find the Imperial Garden. The garden offers an aesthetic change from the crimson and gray building complex to a colorful and luxuriant atmosphere.
Exit
The main exit gate of the Forbidden City is the Gate of Divine Might, behind the Imperial Garden.
Chinese imperial roof decorations are intriguing, there are statuettes placed along the ridge line of official buildings of the Chinese empire.
Only official buildings were allowed to use such roof decorations. Along the ridges, near the corner, a row of small figures is placed. At the tail of the procession will be an imperial dragon, representing the authority of the state. At the head of the procession will be a man riding a Phoenix. In between will be mythical beasts, usually an odd number of them. The number of the figures is determined by the importance of the person living in the building. The maximum number of beasts is nine which is seen here, taken at the Hall of Supreme Harmony (the Emperor’s abode)
The artefacts and the figurers in the Forbidden City are also quite interesting and symbolic.
As already mentioned that not all parts of the city are accessible to tourists, there is a Palace museum where you can see a lot of royal artefacts, and there are also model rooms to showcase the lifestyle of the royals back in the day.
And of course don’t miss the nine dragon’s wall. With in the city.
You will have to walk a lot during you visit to the forbidden city so make sure you the Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Palace of Heavenly Purity / 乾清宫 (Forbidden City / 紫禁城)
The Palace of Heavenly Purity, or Qianqing Palace / 乾清宫 is a palace in the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. It is the largest of the three halls of the Inner Court (the other two being the Hall of Union and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility), located at the northern end of the Forbidden City. During the Qing dynasty, the palace often served as the Emperor's audience hall, where he held council with the Grand Council.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity is a double-eaved building, and set on a single-level white marble platform. It is connected to the Gate of Heavenly Purity to its south by a raised walkway. In the Ming dynasty, it was the residence of the Emperor. The large space was divided into nine rooms on two levels, with 27 beds. For security, on any one night the Emperor would randomly choose from any of these beds. This continued through the early Qing dynasty. However, when the Yongzheng Emperor ascended to the throne, he did not wish to inhabit the palace occupied by his father for 60 years. He and subsequent emperors lived instead at the smaller Hall of Mental Cultivation to the west. The Palace of Heavenly Purity then became the Emperor's audience hall, where he held court, received ministers and emissaries, and held banquets. At the centre of the Palace, set atop an elaborate platform, is a throne and a desk, on which the Emperor wrote notes and signed documents during councils with ministers. A caisson is set into the roof, featuring a coiled dragon.
Above the throne hangs a tablet with a right-to-left script reading zhèng dà guāng míng (正大光明), penned by the Shunzhi Emperor. This tablet has been translated several ways but the loose transliteral meaning is let the righteous shine. It is often used as a Chinese idiom, meaning to be decent, honest and magnanimous, or to have no secret or do a shameless deed.
The Qing dynasty emperors who reigned after the Yongzheng Emperor had designated their heirs in secret, with one copy of the will hidden behind this tablet and another carried at all times by the Emperor himself.
China trip 8b - Part 2 - Forbidden City, Beijing, China - 18 Oct 2013
The Forbidden City is divided into two major sections -- the Outer Court and the Inner Court. The three large Halls in the center, the front entrance buildings and the courtyards on the South are called Outer Court. The ceremonial events took place in this area. There is a set of three smaller halls at the center of the Northern part of the Forbidden City, which is called the Inner Court. The Emperor and his family lived and worked there. The Imperial Garden lies behind the three smaller halls. The old offices and residences of the Palace workers are on both sides of the Inner Court Halls and the Imperial Garden.
Forbidden city is currently a tourist attractive Palace Museum, with buildings built in Chinese architecture within an old fort, in the center of the Capital city of Beijing, China. This Fort was built in a rectangular shape, within 26 feet high wall and 20 feet deep by 171 feet wide moat, during the dynasties of Ming and Qing. Security watch buildings were built at the four corners of the walls for additional protection. During Ming and Qing dynasties common people were not able to enter into the Fort. Therefore, this central Fort came to be known as Forbidden City. The original interior structures that consisted of a palace, administrative offices and living quarters were destroyed during battle times when Qing dynasty took over from Ming Dynasty in1644. Some of the renovated interior structures were burnt in1888 and they were rebuilt in 1889. Again there were damages during the battle of Peking when Qing dynasty lost its power to the Republic of China. So, the current structures of Forbidden City are not the original buildings built along with the Fort wall during Ming Dynasty. Reconstructions and renovations are still going on in the Forbidden City. In 1987, Forbidden City became a World Heritage Site.
The Dutch East India Company that controlled many Asian countries in the eighteenth century built the Church of the Saviour as a Dutch Reformed Christian Church in 1703 in the area where Imperial Garden was created. The current Gothic style Church was built in Xicheng District in 1887 when the British controlled Beijing. Bishop Pierre Marie Alphonse Favier (Church Missionary) of France designed the building. Beijing was known as Peking during the Qing dynasty.
Many believed that the Jesuit Missionaries built the Church of the Saviour in Beijing. The Jesuits were in Asian countries only when the Portuguese had controlled over the colonies. The Jesuits built Roman Christian Churches and Schools to educate the children of the Portuguese who grew up as natives in Portuguese colonies. They also taught the children of the rulers. The Dutch who attacked the Portuguese during mid seventeenth century weren't able to take over the Portuguese administrative Head quarters of Goa (India) and Macau (South China). But they were successful in taking control over other colonies. It was during the British time after 1795, the former Catholics were given freedom to practice Catholicism. Roman Christian Religion was abolished in all Dutch Colonies from mid seventeenth century to late eighteenth century. The descendants of former Catholics secretly prayed the Rosary and followed their old Roman Christian faith in their homes. When Church of the Saviour was built in 1889, it was under the Church Mission. Later the Church was given to the Catholic Church.