Facts and History About The Forbidden City In China

With its rich history, the Forbidden City in China was home to 24 different emperors throughout the years 1406-1911. Located in the center or the heart of Beijing, China, the Forbidden City was named after its tight security against regular citizens, yet it was a prominent place for all of the Chinese people. The Forbidden City was built for the Ming and Qing dynasty as the imperial palace of that era. The emperors felt that the city should be a sacred place where only the elite should be allowed to enter. By limiting access to the Forbidden City, the emperors of China believed that the city maintained its supremacy.

The construction of the vast city was requested by Emperor Chengzu. He requested it's isolation, and it was forbidden until Puyi of Qing dynasty abdicated the throne. Puyi of Qing was the last emperor to live there, and he lived there until he abdicated the throne. Due to its forbidden nature, the security was extremely tight. The men who guarded the city was its strength against infiltration along with many structures ranging from watch towers, the walls, and a moat. This city contains a lot of history, both known and unknown. Here is a small portion of what is known.

The Palace Museum

The uses of the Forbidden Dynasty changed drastically after the Qing Dynasty was destroyed. In 1925, the Forbidden City opened the city to the public and established the Palace Museum. Since it was no longer a city where people resided, they wanted to preserve the great history that the city holds, allowing those who call China their homeland to know its rich history. In 1961, the Palace Museum became one of China's key places for preservation of cultural relics. Many priceless items have found a home here and are very well protected from ever being destroyed or stolen. The Palace Museum can only be entered through the Tiananmen Gate. This gate lies north of the Forbidden City.

Construction of the City

Construction began in 1406 during Ming Emperor Yongle's reign, it took 15 years and 100,000 skilled technicians and millions of laborers. It is built in a rectangular fashion with walls on each side surrounding 720,000 square meters. The walls are 10 meters high and the perimeter is 73.5 kilometer built in a trapezoidal fashion. The bottom is larger and gets narrower towards the top. There are four corner towers which acted as defense watch towers and contained four gates on each side of the rectangular wall. If the walls were not deterrent enough for possible invaders, workers created a 52 meter wide moat surrounding the walls of the Forbidden City in 1420 during the eighteenth year of Emperor Yongle's reign.

Inside the Walls

Inside the walls are numerous pavilions, squares, and gardens.Within the buildings that are within this vast Forbidden City is 8704 halls and rooms. All construction coincides with the Yin Yang philosophy as well as the five elements. Going along with this philosophy, the palace is split into two parts; the Inner Court and the Outer Court. State affairs were held in the Inner Court. This was also home to the empress and imperial concubines.

Gate for Supreme Harmony

The cities buildings are ornately created with detailed patterns on tapestry and luxurious colors such as deep red and gold. Probably one of the neatest features is the pair of bronze lions at the Gate for Supreme Harmony also known as the Meridian gate. They are the largest set in the Forbidden City, due to the Meridian gate being the highest ranking gate in the entire city. This is where the emperors would handle all of the state affairs, as well as listened to the ministers reports and even issued many imperial edicts here.

This was not only a place for great work, but also magnificent enjoyment. The emperors held numerous important ceremonies at the Hall of Supreme Harmony like the emperor's enthronement and even an imperial wedding took place here. During the Qing Dynasty, an emperors wedding was a fantastic event that caused the whole palace to be decorated with lanterns and colored hangings.

Imperial Garden

The Imperial Garden is another place of great interest. It is 11,000 meters squared and located at the northern point of the axis line. Dozens of Lianli trees grow here. A Lianli tree s where two trees branches interlock. The pair that cross the axis line is the most famous and many famous photos have been taken here including one with Qing Emperor Puyi and his wife. The florists takes very good care of the gardens here.

The Forbidden City is a place of great history in China, where many emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled. Although one can explore the great city there are many great facts that will forever be lost within these walls. It brings great meaning to the saying, "If these Walls Could Talk."

• The Zhen Fei Well was named after emporer Guangxii's favorite concubine. The story goes that Cixi, Guangxii's wife, ordered Zhen Fei to be drowned in this well, because she was extremely jealous of her.
• An image of the water God Xuanwu is enshrined in the hall believed to be protecting the city against an outbreak of fire and allowing for there to be safety during constructions.
• Above the bed in the black hall of Yangxin Dean (Hall of Mental Cultivation), where the emperor lived, a sign reads, "You Ri Xin," which means Reeping Renewal
• The Highest Structure in the Forbidden City is the Wei Mein also known as the Meridian Gates which is the front gate at 38 meters. high.
  
• Emporer Shunzhi's was the young reigning ruler who ascended the throne at six-years-old