Forbidden
City is too huge, so it is easy to get lost. Now I will take you
for a virtual tour around the mysterious palace complex. We will visit
the Forbidden City from south to north along the central axis.
 Now
start your tour in the Forbidden City from Wumen.
It's the main gate and south gate of the Forbidden City. Inside the
Meridian Gate, there appear Inner
Golden Water River Bridges. Standing on the bridges, one can see
a grand structure called Taihemen (Gate
of Supreme Harmony), which is the most impressive gate in the city
with two bronze lions guarding the front.
Now we
are in the out court, the three main buildings in front of us is Taihedian
(Hall of Supreme Harmony), Zhonghedian (Hall of Central Harmony) and
Baohedian (Hall of Preserved Harmony). These halls are all situated
on three-tier marble terraces, with ornate marble balustrades.
- The
first and grandest hall isTaihedian
(Hall of Supreme Harmony), where emperors exercised their autocracy
over the whole country. This is where the emperor ascended his throne
and granted audience to visiting officials and other important events
were celebrated.
- North
of Taihedian is Zhonghedian (Hall
of Central Harmony), a square building much smaller than Taihedian.
It was the place where the emperor rested on his way to Taihedian
and interviewed his ministers or officials from the Ministry of Rites
and rehearsals for ceremonies were also held here.
- Baohedian
(Hall of Preserved Harmony), the second largest architecture in
the palace. Imperial banquets were often given here to entertain high
officials. It was in this hall, emperors presided the final stage
of national examinations to select officials from all over the country. A huge stone ramp carved
with coiled dragons and clouds is located between the steps leading
up to each hall. The ramp behind the Baohedian (Hall of Preserved
Harmony) is the largest of these.
The gate
to the north of Baohedian is Qianqingmen
(Gate of Celestial Purity), which is the boundary of the Outer Court
and the Inner Court. Inside the gate, is the residence of the royal
family. The Inner Court is divided into three parts. The three halls
on the center axis are the main structures and they are smaller in size
than the three halls in the Outer Court, although they look the same
in style. Xiliugong (Six Western Palaces) and Dongliugong (Six Eastern
Palaces) are also important complexes, for it was here that the imperial
concubines resided.
Yangxindian
(Hall of Mental Cultivation) and Xiliugong
(Six Western Palaces) stand from north to south on the left side
of the Inner Court. Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) was an
important hall in the palace since from Emperor Yongzheng, most emperors
later lived and attended to state affairs here. North of Yangxindian,
is Xiliugong (Six Western Palaces), which consists of Yongshougong (Palace
of Eternal Longevity), Yikungong (Palace of the Queen Consort), Chuxiugong
(Palace for Gathering Elegance), Taijidian (Hall of the Supreme Pole),
Changchungong (Palace of Eternal Spring) and Xianfugong (Palace of Universal
Happiness). The first three are on the right and the second three on
the left along a north-south alley.
On the
right side of the Outer Court, viz. east side, there are Fengxiandian
(Hall for Ancestry Worship), Zhaigong (Palace of Abstinence) where emperors
practiced abstinence a few days before going to offer sacrifices at
the Temple of Heaven or the Temple of Earth, and Dongliugong (Six Eastern
Palaces) which consists of Jingrengong (Palace of Great Benevolence),
Chengqiangong (Palace of Celestial Favour), Yonghegong (Palace of Eternal
Harmony), Jingyanggong (Palace of Great Brilliance), Zhongcuigong (Palace
of Purity) and Yanxigong (Palace of Lasting Happiness). In a separate
enclosure further east are two palaces, which Emperor Qianlong built
for his abdication. They are Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity)
and Huangjidian (Hall of Imperial Supremacy). Further north, there are
Yangxingdian (Hall of Temper Cultivation), Leshoutang (Hall of Joyful
Longevity) and Yihexuan (Pavilion of Sustained Harmony). Now most these
palaces on the east are exhibition halls displaying different curiosities.
North of
the Inner Court is Yuhuayuan
(Imperial Garden). Though small in size, it is exquisitely laid
out with towers, pavilions, artificial hills, springs, rocks, old trees,
flowers and lawns - a replica of the gardens of southern China.
Just behind
the garden is Shenwumen (Gate of Divine
Might), the rear gate of the Forbidden City. On the gate there was
a drum and a bell.
Now start your tour in the Forbidden City from Wumen (Meridian Gate).
Beijing Tour Routes Includes Forbidden City:
Photo of Forbidden City
    
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