The imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with over 9,000 rooms and 600 years of history
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A comprehensive guide to the Forbidden City, one of the world's most iconic historical sites.
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a vast imperial palace complex located in the heart of Beijing. It served as the home of emperors and their households for over 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1420-1912).
Covering an area of 720,000 square meters with over 9,000 rooms, it is the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Chinese civilization, showcasing the pinnacle of traditional Chinese architecture and imperial culture.
The complex is divided into two main parts: the Outer Court, where ceremonial and official activities took place, and the Inner Court, which was the private residence of the emperor and his family. Today, it houses an extensive collection of imperial artifacts and artworks.
The Forbidden City is best explored by following a route that covers the main ceremonial and residential areas. Start at the Meridian Gate (Wumen), the southern entrance, and proceed north through the Outer Court to the Inner Court.
Key attractions include the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), the largest wooden structure in China and the ceremonial center of the empire, the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian).
In the Inner Court, visit the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong), the emperor's residence, the Hall of Union (Jiaotaidian), and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunninggong), the empress's residence. Don't miss the Imperial Garden (Yuhuayuan) at the northern end.
The images on the right show 2 route maps. Please refer to them.
Forbidden City Route Map (3-4 Hours)
Forbidden City, DongchengNo.4, Jingshan Front Street, Beijing, China
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