Beijing Forbidden City
Beijing Attraction – Forbidden City – Beijing Palace Museum
The Beijing Forbidden City was the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties, known as the Palace Museum. Consitruction took 14 years and was completed in 1420. In subsequent years, capotal Ming Dynasty was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Twenty-four emperors of the Ming and 14 in 10 in the Qing Dynasty to rule here. The last dynasty fell in 1911, but the Emperor Pu Yi was still living in the courtyard until 1924, when he was banished from the palace of the troops of General Feng Yuxiang. After that, the palace was opened to the public as the Palace Museum and it was no longer prohibited from ordinary people.
Forbidden City
Beijing Forbidden City, located in central Beijing, an area of 72 hectares. It has a rectangular shape, 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters from east to west. There are a total 9999.5 rooms in the whole clmplex. There is a 10-foot wall, surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat.
Beijing Forbidden City is the largest part of ancient Chinese architecture still standing. Some of the buildings were damaged by lightning and rebuilt in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It had beed expanded several times, but the original model was retained.
After liberation, some expensive repairs were made, and the Forbidden City is listed as one of the most important historical monuments under special preservation by the Chinese government.
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The Forbidden City Beijing
The Forbidden City was under heavy guard, but the emperors still do not feel sufficiently confident and worried that someone can dig a tunnel to the palace. Thus, they are ground with bricks laid in a very special way: seven layers of longitudinal and eight layers crosswise total fifteen layers. Emperors changed rooms they stayed in almost every night to avoid the killers, only those close to them eunuchs knew where emperors were left each night.
Beijing Forbidden City Architecture
All buildings in the Forbidden City were made of wood, which was prone to fire. Thus, the fire safety measures should be taken. Around the courtyard you can find a lot of iron tubs which were used for storing water from a fire. In general, the complex, there are 308 water tanks, 18 of them gilded. Unfortunately, the gold was scraped off from the occupation forces out of the eight allied powers in 1900. Most tanks are made in the Ming Dynasty have large holes compared to those made in the Qing Dynasty. In winter, fires were lit to keep the water inside from freezing. On the north side under the tanks are the vents for the fan fires. In addition, lightning rods were installed on the roofs of buildings in 1953.
Beijing Forbidden City
Double-layer roof is the tallest building of all rank. In ancient Chinese buildings, the roofs were important social status symbol. I’ll show you some of the various ranks, during our visit, and you can surely tell the difference yourself. Looking at you can see 11 of mythical animals on an inverted cornice of the building. I have heard that in your country, some structures are built with eaves turned into an ancient Chinese style.
In ancient China, there once large wooden nails to prevent tiles from slipping. They were replaced by glazed tiles which were later formed into a mythical animals such as dragon and phoenix. They were considered auspicious animal that can ward off disasters and ensure happiness and unity. Currently, they serve only decorative purposes.
Heads of mythical beasts appear from the edge of the terrace, 1142 in number, who serve as decoration and as rainspouts. If you have arrived on a rainy day, you can witness the misty and mysterious scene here. Water pours from the mouth of the mythical monsters, making ticktack sounds that echo in the quiet, a vast complex.
Take the stairs and get to the terrace. Central has been reserved for the emperor, which was held in a palanquin on the marble ramp.
In the eastern part of the terrace is sun-dial which is used to tell time when there was sun. People looked at the marking of time on the upper part of the summer and at its bottom in the winter. Who can tell the time, he was not looking at the clock? There is the question: “When there was no sunlights, that will be used to tell time just a wide variety of water-clock timing equipment is kept in the Forbidden City now look at what is in the western part of the small! .. Pavilion, in which a measure of copper stored grain. It was used in as a national standard in the Qing Dynasty. the measure of grain and sundials were the symbol of imperial justice and fairness. dragon headed turtles and storks were censers. They were both symbols of longevity.
Base and throne carved from Sandlewood. Throne, was a symbol of imperial power. The floor was paved with gold bricks which were baked at 136 days and then immersed in tung oil to polish it all the time. Looking at you can see cluster ceilings, designed to create an aura of solemnity and mystery. In the middle of the ceiling design of two dragons playing with pearls. They were made of glass and painted with mercury. Most gem called “Xuan Yuan Jing” in Chinese, because according to Chinese legend, Emperor Huang Di, who was also called “Xuan Yuan Shi” and created the first glass. Pearl was said to be able to detect any usurper of imperial power. If someone was not a descendant of Emperor Huang Di took the throne, she will fall down and hit him to death. Yuan Shih-kai, who usurped the throne in 1912, was so frightened that he moved the throne a little forward to avoid being hit.
Beijing Forbidden City – Meridian Gate
Beijing Forbidden City – Meridian Gate is the southern entrance to the Forbidden Purple City. This massive gate, consisting of five holes, has the shape of a huge inverted alphabet capital “U”. It is the largest gates of the Forbidden City, 35.6 meters in height and overcome the five pavilions. The central pavilion is rectangular in shape, while the remaining four, two on each side, square, henee nickname “Five Phoenix Tower”.
Forbidden City Meridian Gate
Meridian Gate was so named because the Chinese emperors believed that they lived in the center of the universe, and the Meridian Line went through the Forbidden City.
14 emperors of the Ming and 10 emperors of the Qing Dynasty ruled China with absolute power who probably has no parallel in human history. However, except for the room that the Emperor chose to stay overnight to avoid the possible killers, they are very little personal life. When they entered the church sanctuary, the bells in the west of the pavilion were amazed. When they went to the temple of ancestors, the drums in the eastern pavilion were beaten. VIPS Modern simply follow their example, sirens and motorcycles in front, long car park behind.
“Why are there five holes?” Just because people of different social classes and the statue does not go through the same hole. Center hole was reserved for the emperor’s only empress was entitled to pass through the opening times on their wedding day:
The first three successful candidates in imperial examinations may enter the opening once, too, when they should have been received from the emperor. East opening for the ministers while the West is opening for the royal family. Other openings were for minor officials. Ordinary people were forbidden to enter the city. Today, only two holes are ready for visitors, one for emperors and one for ministers
Beijing Forbidden City Outer Court
Beijing Forbidden City – outer court is made up of three main buildings, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian).
Beijing Forbidden City – Hall of Supreme Harmony
Beijing Forbidden City – Hall of Supreme Harmony is also nicknamed “the throne room.” It was built in 1406, but the current structure dates back to 1695, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi’s. It was renovated in 1765 and repainted in the Yuan, the captain and recently restored. Since the Qing emperors were the Manchus, the inscriptions on all the halls of the palace were both in Chinese and Manchu, as can still be seen on the inner courts.
Large yard is in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Yard 10.000 square meters in area. 33 single-room units on each side were used as warehouses for the storage of items such as furs, china, silver, tea, silk and satin and clothes. Now I have a question for you.
Forbidden City Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Throne Hall, built in 1420. This is the largest wooden structure still standing in China. It has been used for large ceremonies such as the celebration of Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year, the birthday of the Emperor and the ascension to the throne, and sending generals battles. In such cases, there would be an imperial guard of honor stood before the hall and extends to the main gate.
Forbidden City Hall of Supreme Harmony
There are no trees here! It’s quite strange that there are no trees in such a large place. There are some interesting reasons for this. In the Ming and Qing emperors took part in public affairs, or are just basically Grand Hall of Supreme Harmony, the symbol of imperial power. Emperors considered themselves sons of heaven, born to reign over the country, so they should hold high positions. Nothing was allowed to rise above the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the trees were no exception. Another reason was that the emperor feared that the killers can use trees as shelter. The third reason was related to Chinese characters. Tree in the square corresponds to the word trouble. Emperors were so superstitious that they believed the trees in the yard, probably not bring the end of the work of the monarchy.
There’s something interesting about it. In 1911, after the Qing dynasty fell, the last Qing emperor Pu Yi was allowed to remain in the courtyard. The outer court, however, was transferred to the so-called “democratic government”. In 1915, Yuan Shikai, commander, wanted to be emperor. He was preparing for his inauguration, when he ordered all the Manchu inscriptions on the outer court to be removed. But he was ousted only 83 days after he ascended the throne and the inscription here has seen him in scandal.
Three flights of marble stairs lead to the terrace in the middle of the central flight of huge stone carvings in the design of “dragons playing with pearls” over which the emperors of sedan chairs were carried out. On the terrace, on the east corner was a sundial, on the west corner stands a small temple in which the grain measure was retained. Sundial and grain measures are symbols of morality and justice. Surrounding the hall 18 bronze incense burners, representing China’s 18 provinces at the time; 308 tubs of water around the palace has been used to protect it from fire.
Hall of Supreme Harmony is 35 meters, 60 meters wide and 33 meters on both sides. Currently, the largest, most well-preserved wooden hall in China. Twenty-four pillars supporting the roof, the central six gilded and painted designs of dragons, and the rest are painted red. throne of the emperor, surrounded by treasures of art symbolic value, is in the middle of the hall. Above the throne of gold painted caisson, or coffered ceiling, with dragon designs, from which hangs a pearl is called atmospheric Xuanyuan mirror. This gem was supposed to be able to distinguish right from wrong. The warlord Yuan Shikai was afraid that the jewel in the caisson could fall and hit him, he ordered the throne moved back a little. That’s why you see the throne is not directly under the caisson.
This hall was used for large ceremonies, as well as celebrating the winter solstice, the publication of the list of successful candidates in imperial examinations, Emperor’s Birthday and enthronement.
Imagine a majestic and amazing scenes in the past. When the emperor was sitting on the throne, the ministers and all their subordinates will kneel, bow, and repeat aloud, “Long Live Your Majesty”, with incense burning and curled up in the room, and bells and drums beating in unison in the corridor.
Each of the 24 pillars supporting the hall was made from one piece of wood, about 18 meters. Moreover, it took 136 days to bake the tiles before they were immersed in tung oil for another 49 days to be polished.
To maintain the palace during the Qing Dynasty, 280,000 taels of silver were needed each year. They came from taxes and rents of the royal estate. During the Ming Dynasty, 9000, ladies in waiting and 100.000 eunuchs served here. Some eunuchs as Wei Zhongxian in the Ming Dynasty and Li Lianying in the Qing Dynasty became even more powerful than the emperor.
Beijing Forbidden City – Hall of Central Harmony
Forbidden City - Hall of harmony
Beijing Forbidden City hall of Central Harmony was built in 1420 and renovated in 1627 and again 1765. It is square in shape, with windows on all sides. It is the smallest room among the “big three” in the outer court.
Hall of Supreme Harmony. stands along the north-south axis on a triple marble terrace. Each terrace is higher than the other, surrounded by marble balustrades carved with dragon and phoenix designs. Dragon and phoenix were symbols of the emperor and empress, respectively. You’ll find 18 bronze incense burners, representing 18 provinces of China during the Qing Dynasty.
Emperors came here once a year to perform rituals, as the study of seed for sowing, to rest before dressing up for the main ceremony in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to get ministers and welcomed the foreign ambassadors, or to deliver speeches to the royal family. The main function room to provide the Emperor with a place for rehearsals, before he entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony for important ceremonies.
In the center of the hall stands a throne, with two sedan-chairs on display from both sides. One to the east was made in the late Ming Dynasty, and one to the west in the early Qing Dynasty. There are many types of sedan-chairs in China, but one that is used exclusively for the emperor is always carried out for 8 people.
Beijing Forbidden City – Hall of Preserving Harmony
Beijing Forbidden City - Hall of Preserving Harmony
Beijing Forbidden City – Hall of preserving harmony was the last Hall forecourt, similar in style, but slightly smaller than the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It was built in 1420, rebuilt in 1625 and renovated in 1765.
In 1789, Hall became the site of the Palace Examinations “, high level national system of imperial examinations. There are four levels of examinations, namely: the county level, provincial level, national level and palace examinations. Those who survived the palace exam will receive the title “doctor” (Jin Shi), and their status and wealth were unsure.
This survey system began in the Han Dynasty and suspended time and again, and finally abolished in 1904. In 1898, Capital University (Beijing University) was founded and about the same time, China has sent students to study in foreign countries like Japan and France. In 1911, Qing Hua University, a famous university, both at home and abroad has also been established. Thus, modern Chinese education began.
The original throne in the center, surrounded by several beautiful bronze. This hall was the most decorative of all the halls, and the Great Imperial banquets were held here.
Beijing Forbidden City – Stone Carving
Beijing Forbidden City - Stone Carving
There is a Large Stone Carving at the Forbidden City behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony. In ancient China, especially in the Forbidden City at the highest level at this time, of course, also represent stonework. Behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony between the stair ways a huge piece of marble sculpture of dragons playing with pearls is. This marble was here all the way from Fangshan District, brought about 70 km from the city proper of Beijing. It is about 17 meters long, 3 meters wide and 1.7 meters thick, weighs about 250 tons. In the Ming and Qing dynasty, could anyone who was caught touching this holy stone run. No means of modern transportation, you can imagine how difficult it was for the Chinese workers to such transport a large piece of stone here! For every mile, wells were dug and water pumped over the ice road, until then, that the stone could be pushed onto the ice. In summer, however, the balls were used. Nothing was impossible for the Chinese! Nothing was too extravagant for the emperor, the Son of Heaven! It is a masterpiece of traditional sculpture on a dragon, which symbolizes a greater degree the power of the emperor and the collection of royal authority. In the Forbidden City, it is the power of classes.
Beijing Forbidden City Inner Court
Beijing Forbidden City – Inner court is composed of the three main structures at the rear of the Forbidden City, namely the Palace of Heavenly Peace (Qianqinggong), the Palace of Union and Peace (Jiaotaidian) and the Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunninggong).
Beijing Forbidden City – Palace of Heavenly Purity
Forbidden City - Palace of Heavenly Purity
The general layout of the Palace of Heavenly Purity in Forbidden City is very similar to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with the exception of the fact that most structures are just a bit smaller (because the larger the size, the tallest building). Also there is a small sundial, little turtle, measure the smallest grain, small storks and other small items.
This palace is the largest of the three palaces back. It was built in 1420 and was repeatedly burned. The palace we see today date from the year 1798. During the Ming and early Qing emperors lived in this palace. The Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty moved the headquarters of life in the Hall of mental cultivation, which is located immediately west of the palace.
Palace of Heavenly Purity
But also drew after the emperor Yongzheng, the palace continued to be a place for emperors to conduct routine matters and to hold private hearings. Foreign ambassadors were also received here. The imperial throne in the middle, as always, surrounded by some decorations like cloisonne incense, some long, red candles and mirrors. Mirrors in the central hall of the palace were said to ward off evil spirits attached. This belief is still deeply rooted in the minds of many Chinese.
On the wall in the middle is a tablet with an inscription that says “To be fair and open.”
The last emperor, Puyi, was married in December 1922 in the palace.
Beijing Forbidden City – The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
Beijing Forbidden City - Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
Beijing Forbidden City – Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (JiaoTaiDian), was first built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655 and 1798. Meaning of the name is the wish that the emperor (heavenly) and Empress (terrestrial) have a good marriage. The room looks like the room of Harmony (ZhongHeDian) is in the form and his little sister. It is the smallest of the three main palace in the courtyard.
Normally empresses formal birthday greetings would you get here. Empresses would also inspect the preparations before he presided over memorial services for the god of silkworms and silkworm breeding practices. For the Emperor Shunzhi that eunuchs were allowed to attend to affairs of state was made here.
On the right side of the throne, visitors can enjoy an old Chinese water pot clock – a clock to beat and there – the equivalent of an hourglass. Both timers were a reference to the Drum Tower and Bell Tower.
The large bell on the left was built in 1798 in the palace during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and, miraculously, the clock still works. The Clock of the water on the right was built in 1745th It is one of the most remarkable inventions of China and dates back about 2500 years ago. Only the mechanical clock was in China after the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) that the use was abandoned in the water introduced Clock.
This room also holds 25 imperial seal – for the Emperor Qianlong hopes that the ruling Qing dynasty would last 25 to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the longest dynasty in China exceed. But as history has disappointed the Qing dynasty lasted only ten kingdoms.
There is a white-to-end, the two Chinese characters “Wu Wei” is – “. Let it be” literally “to refrain from action” or This reflects the philosophy of Taoism, a religion which is indigenous to China. The Tao (“way”) taught that we need to find and follow our true self and tries to show the beauty of the act without effort / struggle.
Taoism is a philosophy that balances perfectly rule-based Confucianism. It is, however, was often abused by the feudal lords as an indication that the people must accept their place and people from taking any actions that could disturb the imperial status quo.
Beijing Forbidden City – Palace of Earthly Tranquility
Beijing Forbidden City – Palace of Earthly Tranquility is the northernmost of the three main halls in the courtyard of the Forbidden City – Palace Museum, the other two rooms Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Hall the Union.
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility is a building, double-eaved, nine bays wide and three bays deep. In the Ming Dynasty, it was the residence of the Empress. In the Qing Dynasty, large parts of the palaces for worship leaders by Manchu shamans have transformed news. Sun featured the hall before the shrines, icons, prayer rugs, and a large kitchen where the victim was made flesh. Since the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor, the Empress left the palace for the Emperor’s departure from the Palace of Heavenly Purity. However, two rooms in the Palace of Harmony earth for use on the wedding night of the emperor were selected. The wedding would take in the main room, and after the Emperor and Empress went to one of these spaces
Beijing Forbidden City – Imperial Garden
Beijing Forbidden City – Imperial Garden is located on the central axis of the rear of the the Forbidden City, palace of earthly tranquility, referred to as the ” palace after the court”. Beijing Forbidden City – Imperial Garden built in the Ming Yongle eighteen years ( 1420), later had the amendment, now still retain the basic pattern of the construction in the early. The whole garden north-south longitudinal 80m, east-west width of 140m, covers an area of 12000 square meters. The main building, An Dian Zhongyan kind of roof, is located in the Forbidden City on a north-south axis, with its as the center, to the front and sides, pavilions, terraces and open halls. The green pine, cypress, bamboo interspersed with rocks, forming the four seasons evergreen landscape.
