Forbidden City: Uncover Its History and Facts You Didn’t Know

The Forbidden City (Chinese name: Gu Gong Gugong ‘Former Palace’) was the palatial center of China. It was an empire-building palace from The Ming as well as the Qing Dynasties (1368-1912) located in Beijing, China.

In the list of the 5 most significant palaces around the globe, The grand halls and walls display the essence and the culmination of the traditional Chinese architectural style, appropriate as the capital city in the world’s biggest nation. You can easily generate chinese names with a chinese name generator.

Are there any interesting details concerning The Forbidden City?

It is three times bigger than Louvre Palace, which is located in France.

It is home to one of the biggest and most well-preserved wooden structures anywhere in the world.

The City was built over 14 years (from 1406 until 1420) and was constructed by more than 1,000,000 people comprising more than 100,000 artisans.

It was the palace of the Imperial Court in China for four92 years (1420-1912) as well as the residence of 24 emperors, 14 from the Ming Dynasty and 10 of the Qing Dynasty.

The Palace Museum in the Forbidden City is among the biggest cultural museums in the world that welcome 14 million people each year.

Exotic structures? They have European and Arabic-style buildings within the Forbidden City.

There are no trees!

There aren’t any trees in the Outer Court because emperors thought they would obstruct or overshadow the splendor of the court.

No Birds? Birds can’t land on palace roofs, which are specific designs to maintain the purity and splendor in The Forbidden City.

Cold Palaces? The palaces in which concubines and princes committed mistakes and were not able to win the respect of the emperor were referred to as”Cold Palaces’.

9,999 1/2 rooms? Legend says that Forbidden City was renovated to include 9,999 1/2 rooms. A quarter of a room was left out to prevent displeasing The God who is in Heaven (who has been believed to be having had 10,000 rooms in his palace of heaven).

The palaces of higher status located in the Forbidden City were more elaborate in their designs of windows and doors.

Fakes! Fakes! Palace Museum also (deliberately) showcases a selection of “fakes”. They are very similar to originals and are just as important.

The daily routine of the emperors during their time in the Forbidden City was extremely regular. They typically woke up around 4:00 a.m. and went to bed around 8 p.m. Read The Day in the life of the Emperor Qianlong within the Forbidden City.

Why Is It Called the Forbidden City?

Its English term “Forbidden City” is a translation of the Chinese name Zijincheng.

In earlier times the emperor was believed as a child of Heaven so the supreme power of Heaven was bestowed on him. The palace of the emperor was constructed to the north as an earthly counterpart to the Heavenly Purple Palace, i.e. it was the North Star, though to be the home of Emperors like the Celestial Emperor.

As a sacred place, It was surely forbidden to common folk, and that is the reason why the Forbidden City is called.

Today, in China it is often known as”the “Former Palace”.

• Forbidden City History

The Forbidden City is 602 years old, 2022. It was constructed between 1406 to 1420, under the instructions of Zhu Di — Ming Dynasty Emperor Yongle (reign 1402 – 24).

He took the throne of his son. To strengthen his power as a ruler and to ensure his security the Emperor decided to relocate the capital of Nanjing to Beijing the capital of his throne. Therefore Emperor Yongle demanded Kuai Xiang design the Forbidden City in Beijing.

The Forbidden City was the site of three fires and many of the buildings were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty.

In the Second Opium War (1856-1860) The Forbidden City was ruled by French forces from the Anglo-French alliance and was occupied up to the time of the conflict.

Puyi the last Emperor was a resident of the Forbidden City until his exile in 1924. Then The Palace Museum in the Forbidden City was established and accessible to the public.

• The Layout of the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is spread over an area of around 72 Hectares (180 acres) and has an area of 150,000 square meters (1,600,000 cubic feet).

The Forbidden City is divided into three parts: the defensives (moat and walls) and the Outer Court, and the Inner Court.

Forbidden information graphic on City Layout

1. Forbidden City Gates & Walls – for Defense

The Forbidden CityDefense Wall in the Forbidden City for security. The City is surrounded by a wall that is 10 meters high with a circumference that is 3,430 meters. At each point in the Forbidden City, is a stunning watchtower, which was well-guarded.

The Meridian Gate (Wumen in Chinese) is the main gate to the Forbidden City. It had three entrances. The emperor was the only one who could pass through the middle. This was where the emperor would issue imperial decrees and battle orders.

Visitors have to go by Tian’anmen (‘Gate of Peace in Heaven’) to reach the Meridian Gate.

2. The Outer Court

The outer court is comprised of three main structures, where the emperors would attend grand celebrations. During the Ming Dynasty era, emperors were able to hold sessions inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony to oversee official matters.

The first hall that awaits your arrival is known as the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian) The most significant and biggest structure of the Forbidden City. The Dragon Throne of the Emperor (Longyi) is situated in the hall. In the Qing Dynasty, it was predominantly used for ceremonial reasons like coronations, and investments. As well as weddings for the imperial throne.

Another hall located behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian) which is the place of the rest of the emperor prior to presiding over the grand celebrations held within the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Emperors would prepare their speeches and speeches here before going to the Temple of Heaven for the rituals of sacrifice.

The last hall is known as the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian) which was used for banquets, and later, for imperial exams.

There are some garden areas with interesting halls that you can explore. Consult an expert in your area if are interested in visiting the gardens and would like to take time to look around the palace.

3. The Inner Court

In Qing Dynasty, the emperors resided and worked at the Inner Court.

In the Hall of the Preserving Harmony, You will see an enormous block of marble that is carved with dragon and cloud designs. If you continue straight, you will find a gate that is known as”the Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqingmen). The Gate of Heavenly Purity is the primary gate into the inner living court.

The court’s interior comprises three main structures that are located to the north in the Forbidden City:

The first building in the inner court is called the Palace of the Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong). Before the reign of Emperor Yongzheng (r. 1722-1935). It was the home of the Emperor. It later became the audience hall of the Emperor.

The second building, which is behind it can be described as the Palace of Union and Peace (Jiaotaidian) where the seals of the Imperial Court were kept.

This third room is known as the Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunninggong). The hall was built during the Ming Dynasty, it was the palace of the Empress. It was during the Qing Dynasty, that it became an area of worship for shamans. It was also used for the night of the wedding ceremony of the Emperor.

Other significant structures:

The Mental Cultivation Hall (Yangxindian) from the time of the 3rd Qing emperor Yongzheng All the resting Qing emperors, eight in all, lived within this room.

In the Six Western Palaces as well as the Six Eastern Palaces each side of the three major structures was home to the concubines of the imperial family. It was also where a number of Qing Emperors were born and raised.

Furthermore, it was an area for the family of the emperor to unwind and enjoy. The garden provides a beautiful shift from the gray and red construction site to a lively and luxurious ambiance.