Beijing's Famous Historical Pictures
北京名胜古迹介绍及图片(英文版)
Forbidden City
Beijing dust storm - Forbidden City north wall
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 Square
Within 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.
At the center of the 'Inner Court' lies the Hall of Celestial Heavenly Purity, Hall of Union and Peace, and the Hall of Terrestrial or Earthly Transquility, which are symmetrically flanked by the Six East Palaces and the Six West Palaces.
Jingshan Park & Coal Hill
To the north of the Qianqing Gate or "Gate of Obedience and Purity" and directly across from the "Gate of Divine Prowess" (aka "Gate of Divine Might") is Jingshan Park, which is also known as Coal Hill or Jing Shan Hill (below). The hill is artificial, created from the soil excavated to build the palace moat and adjoining lakes. To this day Jingshan Park is a popular morning gathering spot for the locals to preform Tai Chi.
Overlooking Qianqing Gate Square and Coal Hill
Chongzheng - The Last Ming Emperor
The last Ming emperor Chongzheng hanged himself atop Jingshan Hill (meaning "Prospect Hill" or "Dominating Hill") in 1644, as the rebel Manchu army of Li Zicheng overtook the palace. The Forbidden City is situated to the south of a Jingshan Hill in accordance with the dictates of Feng Shui. This is why Coal Hill is also known as "Feng Shui Hill."
Baohe Hall and Zhonghe Hall marble steps
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