From Tiananmen East subway station, we crossed Changan East Street (东长安街) via an underpass and continued on along Nanchizi Avenue (南池子大街). We then turned left to Donghuamen Street (东华门大街) and followed the path to reach the entrance of Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City (紫禁城), also known today as the Palace Museum (故宫博物院), is the beating heart of Beijing’s imperial past. Built between 1406 and 1420 during the Ming dynasty, it served as the home of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. For nearly five centuries, this vast complex was the center of political power, ritual, and cultural life in China.
Enclosed by 10-meter-high walls and surrounded by a wide moat, the Forbidden City spans 180 acres and contains nearly 1,000 surviving buildings. Every roof tile, stone carving, and painted beam reflects layers of symbolism, from dragons representing imperial authority to phoenix motifs symbolizing the empress.
Our journey began at the Meridian Gate (午门), the southern entrance and the largest gate in the Forbidden City.
Walking through its archways felt like stepping through a time portal, leaving behind modern Beijing and entering an imperial city frozen in history.
The central axis led us straight to the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿), the largest and most magnificent structure in the Forbidden City.
Rising on a three-tier marble terrace, it is crowned with a roof of 72 golden ridges. This was the ceremonial throne hall where emperors held coronations, birthday celebrations, and important state rituals.
Inside, the Dragon Throne sits beneath an ornate coffered ceiling, adorned with a legendary “caisson” and a coiled dragon that seems to hover above the emperor. The hall itself is a masterpiece of imperial architecture, symbolizing the cosmic order that bound the empire.
Next building we visited was Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿). Smaller and more intimate, this hall served as a resting place for emperors to rehearse speeches or prepare for ceremonies. It was here that they caught their breath before facing the grandeur of the Supreme Harmony Hall.
Then we came to Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿). This hall was used for banquets, as well as for the final stage of the imperial civil service examinations, where scholars competed for the highest honors.
Beyond this point, we arrived at the Inner Court (内廷) of Forbidden City. It served as the living quarters of the emperor and his family. Unlike the grand Outer Court, which was devoted to state ceremonies and governance, the Inner Court was the private world of daily life, rituals, and family affairs.
We went through the door that led us to the eastern side of the Inner Court where there are several galleries that were included in our admission tickets.
The first gallery where we visited was Clock and Watch Gallery (钟表馆). Located in the Hall of Ancestral Worship, it contains intricate timepieces gifted from Europe and crafted in China, highlighting cultural exchange.
The next building we visited after walking through Ningshoumen (宁寿门) was Hall of Imperial Supremacy (皇极殿).
This hall was used primarily for ceremonial and official purposes, where the emperor might hold audiences, receive officials, or issue important edicts when residing in the eastern palace complex. Architecturally, it mirrors the grandeur of the main audience halls in the central axis, though on a smaller scale. The hall is richly decorated with golden dragons, carved beams, and painted rafters, embodying the same symbolism of imperial authority.
Another gallery that is nearby was the Jewel and Treasure Galleries (珍宝馆). This gallery showcases jade, gold, silver, and precious court artifacts, including elaborate accessories used by the imperial family.
Stone Drum Gallery (石鼓馆) was another one we visited. It houses the famous Stone Drums of Qin (秦石鼓文) which is regarded as the oldest known stone inscriptions in China. These 10 granite drum-shaped stones, dating back to the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), are carved with ancient poems celebrating royal hunting expeditions.
At this point, we decided to take a break after all the walking. It was quite tiring especially under the heat.
After the short break, we walked back to the central inner court where the Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫) is located. This palace was once the living quarters of the emperor, later transformed into a throne hall where emperors held audiences with ministers.
Above the throne hangs a famous plaque inscribed with the words “Upright and Just” (正大光明), a reminder of the ideal virtues of an emperor.
The Imperial Garden (御花园) lies just beyond the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (坤宁宫), forming the northernmost section of the Forbidden City. Unlike the grand halls and solemn courtyards of the Outer and Inner Courts, this space was designed as a private retreat for emperors, empresses, and members of the royal family.
The most striking feature is the artfully arranged rockeries, made from Taihu stones, symbolizing mountains within the miniature world of the garden.
Exiting through the northern gate, the Gate of Divine Might (神武门), we turned back for one last look at the sprawling palace complex.
Across the road from Forbidden City is Jingshan Garden where Qiwang Hall (绮望楼) is located. We originally wanted to visit Qiwang Hall, but we were really too tired to climb up the hill. As such, we decided to give it a miss.
While walking towards the subway station, we took a break at a Tea Shop.
No comments:
Post a Comment