World Cultural Heritage
The Forbidden City - Imperial Palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties
Panoramic view of the Forbidden City, showing this magnificent imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties
Panoramic view of the Forbidden City, showing this magnificent imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties
The Palace Museum, formerly known as the Forbidden City, is the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. Located at the center of Beijing's central axis, it represents the essence of ancient Chinese palace architecture. Construction began in the 4th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1406) and was completed in the 18th year of Yongle era (1420). It is one of the largest and best-preserved wooden structures of ancient architecture in the world.
The Forbidden City covers an area of approximately 720,000 square meters with a building area of about 150,000 square meters. It houses more than 70 palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden architectural complex in the world. In 1987, it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site.
After the Xinhai Revolution, the Qing Emperor abdicated. On October 10, 1925, the Palace Museum was established, transforming the imperial palace into a national museum. The Palace Museum has a rich collection, with a total of over 1.86 million items, including more than 1.68 million precious cultural relics, making it China's largest museum of ancient Chinese art and culture.
Emperor Chengzu of Ming, Zhu Di, ordered the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing.
The Forbidden City was completed, and Zhu Di officially moved the capital to Beijing.
The Qing army entered the Shanhai Pass, and Emperor Shunzhi moved the capital to Beijing. The Forbidden City became the imperial palace of the Qing Dynasty.
The Xinhai Revolution broke out, ending the rule of the Qing Dynasty.
The Palace Museum was officially established and opened to the public.
The Forbidden City was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.
The North District project of the Palace Museum was launched, scheduled to open in 2023.
The architecture of the Forbidden City strictly follows symmetrical layout, extending north-south along the central axis. It represents the highest level of ancient Chinese architectural art and embodies traditional Chinese ritual thinking and the concept of imperial supremacy.
The Forbidden City's architecture is symmetrically arranged along the north-south central axis and divided into two main parts: the Outer Court and the Inner Court. The Outer Court, centered on the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, is where national ceremonies were held. The Inner Court, centered on the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, is the main residence for the emperor and empress.
The Forbidden City buildings adopt a wooden frame structure connected by mortise and tenon joints without using a single nail. The roofs are covered with yellow glazed tiles, symbolizing imperial power. The palace foundations are made of white marble, and the walls are painted red, reflecting the hierarchical system and aesthetic concepts of ancient Chinese architecture.
The Forbidden City features exquisite decorations, with exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, colored paintings, and glazed works. The Golden Dragon Throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the "Upright and Pure Brightness" plaque in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Nine-Dragon Wall are all masterpieces of ancient Chinese decorative art.
The Forbidden City has high walls and a moat. The walls are about 10 meters high and 8 meters wide, with watchtowers at the four corners. The Forbidden City has four gates: Meridian Gate, Divine Might Gate, East Flowery Gate, and West Flowery Gate, each heavily guarded, reflecting the security of imperial architecture.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the main hall in the Forbidden City and the essence of ancient Chinese palace architecture. It was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held grand ceremonies. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was originally named the Hall of Imperial Supremacy and was rebuilt several times.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is 11 bays wide and 5 bays deep, with a building area of 2,377 square meters and a height of 26.92 meters. Including the platform, the total height is 35.05 meters, making it the largest hall in the Forbidden City. The architectural standards and decorative techniques of the Hall of Supreme Harmony rank first among ancient Chinese buildings.
The Hall of Central Harmony is located between the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. It was where the emperor rested before grand ceremonies. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was originally named the Hall of Canopy and was rebuilt several times.
The Hall of Central Harmony is a square hall with a pyramidal roof and verandas on all four sides, paved with golden bricks. Before attending grand ceremonies, the emperor would rest here, receive greetings from cabinet ministers and officials from the Ministry of Rites, and then proceed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Hall of Preserving Harmony is the last of the three main halls of the Outer Court. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was originally named the Hall of Diligent Governance and was rebuilt several times.
During the Qing Dynasty, the Hall of Preserving Harmony was the venue for the imperial examination finals, which were held every three years to select the most outstanding scholars in the country. Additionally, Qing emperors held New Year's Eve banquets and banquets for foreign envoys here.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity is the first palace of the Inner Court's Three Rear Palaces. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was the residence of Ming dynasty emperors. Qing emperors did not live here for long; after Emperor Yongzheng, the emperors moved to live in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity has a高悬 "Upright and Pure Brightness" plaque. Behind the plaque was where Qing emperors kept their secret wills for selecting heirs. The emperor would write down the name of the chosen successor, seal it in a box, and place it behind the plaque. After the emperor's death, it would be taken out to announce the new emperor.
The Hall of Union is located between the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, its name is derived from the "I Ching," meaning "Heaven and Earth unite, bringing peace and happiness."
The Hall of Union is where the empress received greetings on important festivals and where celebrations were held on her birthday. The hall houses the "Inscription of the Hall of Union" written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, as well as 25 imperial seals symbolizing imperial power.
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility is the last of the Inner Court's Three Rear Palaces. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was the residence of Ming dynasty empresses. During the Qing Dynasty, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility was renovated: the eastern part became the bridal chamber for the emperor's wedding, and the western part became a place for Shamanist rituals.
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility has a unique architectural style that combines Manchu and Han cultural characteristics. During a Qing emperor's wedding, the empress would enter the Forbidden City through the Great Qing Gate, pass through the Meridian Gate and the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and finally enter the bridal chamber in the eastern warm pavilion of the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
The Imperial Garden is located at the northern end of the Forbidden City. It was a place for the emperor and imperial concubines to relax and enjoy themselves. Built in the 18th year of Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420), the garden features pavilions, towers, artificial hills, ponds, and exotic flowers and trees, making it a typical imperial garden.
The Six Eastern and Six Western Palaces are located on either side of the Three Rear Palaces. They were residences for imperial concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Each palace has its own courtyard with unique features. Most of these palaces are now open to the public, displaying various cultural relics and artworks.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation is located to the south of the Six Western Palaces. Built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, it became the residence and daily working place for Qing emperors starting from Emperor Yongzheng until the end of the Qing Dynasty.
The Treasure Gallery is located in the Ningshou Palace area, displaying various jewels and jade artifacts collected by the Forbidden City. The Clock Gallery is located in the Hall of Imperial Ancestors, displaying ancient clocks collected by the Forbidden City, which are special exhibitions of the museum.
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