Beijing | Forbidden City
 Beijing dust storm - Forbidden City north wall Beijing's Forbidden City Palace MuseumText & Images - Copyright © 2009 Kevin Hulsey The Forbidden City, also referred to as the Palace Museum, is one of the China's most significant historical monuments, and the Forbidden City complex is representative of the traditional classical Chinese architecture of the dynastic period. The entire palace was designed for the viewing pleasure of the emperor only, and few outsiders ever saw the 'Inner Court' part of the city. The Forbidden City was completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. The palace was the home to twenty four Chinese emperors from the Ming and Qin dynasties, spanning over 491 years from 1420 and 1911. 
Tai'he Gate Square - Looking at the north Meridian Gate The Meridian Gate (above) was constructed in 1420, and is the main gate of the Forbidden City. It was used primarily by the emperor, who always entered from the south. The Meridian Gate is over 37 meters high, and is the second main gate after the outer-most 'Tian'anmen Gate' or "Gate of Heavenly Peace." Tai'he Gate SquareWithin the Tai'he Gate Square lies the Golden Water River, which snakes through the square like a winding jade belt. Five marble bridges span the Golden Water River. The use of wide open space was designed to limit an invader's ability to hide. The stone flooring in the square was several layers thick to prevent someone from tunneling into the compound. 
Tai'he Gate Square - Golden Water River The Forbidden City occupies a total space of more than 720,000 square meters, surrounded on three sides by imperial gardens. The entire complex is surrounded by a 50 meter wide moat and a 10 meter high wall with watch towers at each of its corners. The palace walls have a total length of 3,400 metres. The Forbidden City complex consists of two main parts: the 'Outer Court' and the 'Inner Court.' The Forbidden City complex contains 9,999.5 bays or "rooms," which is .5 less rooms than the 1000 rooms heaven was believed to be. 
No. 2 Long Alley looking towards the western palaces The 'Outer Court' centers around the Hall of Preserved Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Midway Hall of Harmony, all of which are flanked by the Hall of Literary Glory and the Hall of Military Prowess. Continue To: Forbidden City - Page 2 |
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