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If you appreciate good architecture or are interested in the history of
China you will find plenty to enjoy while strolling through the Forbidden City.
From a westerner's point of view it is the most characteristically
"Chinese" place we visited. At the time of our visit it was undergoing
extensive refurbishment and repair in preparation for the 2008 Olympics
but even so the gardens and courtyards that we were able to visit
were incredible. We were told that the name referred to the fact that
no commoners were allowed in the palace complex but today even American
tourists are allowed to visit. There is a nominal fee for admission.
We entered the Forbidden City through the Tiananmen Gate after crossing the outermost of the 5 bridges over the narrow moat that surrounds the nearly 180 acre tract. The center bridge was roped off and we were told by our guide that the tradition of it being reserved for the emperor alone is respected in this way. |
more pictures from the Forbidden City |
We were told that the initial construction took place in the early 1400's and that 24 emperors occupied it until the last emperor of China abdicated in 1912.
The walls surrounding the palace complex are over 30 feet in height. Inside is a complex arrangement of courtyards and buildings each having its own ceremonial purpose during the age of Imperial China. There were halls used for coronations, investitures and weddings. There was a courtyard where the emperor dealt out rewards or punishments to his ministers and officers. Inside what was known as the Outer Court are found the imperial library and archives.
In 1860 British troops occupied the Forbidden City - the only foreign power to do so. In 1947 many historical artifacts from the Forbidden City were moved to Taiwan to protect them from being plundered.
The beggars and street vendors working the exit from the Forbidden City can be very aggressive so watch out! One especially persistent vendor had to be physically restrained by our driver and guide when we declined his offer to sell us a small plastic dragon for 100RNB.