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Hot in Beijing
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The Forbidden City, called "Gugong" in Chinese and also known as
Palace Museum, which means untouchable to common people, located in the center
of Beijing, was the base of 24 emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly
500 years. Puyi who abdicated in 1911 was the last emperor of the Qing dynasty
and China as well.
The Forbidden City was firstly built in 1406--- the fourth year
of the Ming emperorYongle’s reign and was widened by the following emperors. By
now, it covers an area of 72 hectares, runs 960 meter long from north to south
and 750 meter wide extended from east to west. It is surrounded by 10-meter high
wall and a 52-meter wide moat on all four sides and consists of hundreds of
halls and courtyards.
The walls are
pierced by four large gates, each with three openings and a broad crowning
pavilion.
The
Forbidden City includes two parts -- the Outer Courtyard and the Inner
Courtyard.
This
magnificent architectural complex
has more than 9,000 rooms in all. The
Outer Court includes the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of
Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. The Inner court includes the
Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union, the Hall of Earthly Peace and the
Imperial Garden. Between the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Supreme Harmony,
there is a square when an important ceremonies presided over by the emperor,
guards of honor lined up on the square between the Meridian Gate and the Gate of
Supreme Harmony. The hall of Supreme Harmony , which is 35 meter high, 60 meter
wide and 33 meter on both sides, is a place where important ceremonies like the
enthronement of the crown prince, the emperor's birthday celebrations, and the
initiation of military expeditions were held.
The layout of the
Forbidden City is on the basis of a Chinese original cosmos concept of the
universe that clearly defines the north-south and east-west axes. The buildings
embody the largest and best-preserved examples of Chinese traditional
architecture foundation today. The overall layout is centered on the three
primal Halls of State: Taihedian
（Hall
of Supreme Harmony）, Zhonghedian（Hall
of Central Harmony） and Baohedian（Hall
of Preserving Harmony）.
State ceremonies were held in the
Outer Court
(Wai Chao) of the
Forbidden City.
Today, it has become one of the most
important tourist site in
Beijing. |
