By Paul Wiesner
THE FORBIDDEN CITY
EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THE FORBIDDEN CITY
593 Years of history
7,750,016 Square feet in size
8,707 Rooms
THE FORBIDDEN CITY IS A MAGNIFICENT PALACE.
Constructed by the Yongle emperor
Construction began in the year 1406
Completed in 1420.
THE FORBIDDEN CITY IS A MAGNIFICENT PALACE.
Home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Remained a residence until 1924
Designed by a eunuch named Nguyen An
THE FORBIDDEN CITY IS A MAGNIFICENT PALACE.
The Forbidden City is aligned with the Polar Star along a north-south axis
Ceremonial halls are arranged with southern exposures
Outer Court was for imperial business
Inner Court was imperial living quarters
THE OUTER COURT & THE INNER COURT
The Meridian Gate
The Gate of Supreme Harmony
The Hall of Supreme Harmony
The Hall of Central Harmony
The Hall of Preserved Harmony
The Gate of Heavenly Purity
OUTER COURT
Main entrance to the Forbidden City
Tallest structure
Spanning a height of 98.5 feet.
No building was permitted to be taller.
Used for the palace rituals
The central archway was reserved for the Emperor
THE MERIDIAN GATE
GATE OF SUPREME HARMONY
Most important building in the palace complex
Emperors were enthroned
Formal rituals were conducted here
THE HALL OF SUPREME HARMONY
Added in 1765
Central throne
Where the Emperor would rest before reigning over
major events taking place in the Hall of Supreme
Harmony
THE HALL OF CENTRAL HARMONY
Used for rehearsing rituals
Hosting banquets during the Qing Dynasty
Sits on a three-tiered marble terrace
Hosts the most elaborate throne in the complex
THE HALL OF PRESERVED HARMONY
Entrance to the Inner Court
THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PURITY
Hall of Heavenly Purity
The Hall of Union and Peace
The Hall of Earthly Tranquility
The Imperial Garden
INNER COURT
Living quarters of the Ming emperors
Considered to be a masculine building
Emperors hosted New Year’s Eve banquets
Most the Ming emperors died hear
Site for Imperial funerals
Thirteen Ming emperors made this palace their residence
HALL OF HEAVENLY PURITY
The empress’s throne room
Where the ladies of the court would gather
THE HALL OF UNION AND PEACE
Living quarters for the empress
Was considered to have feminine virtues
Served as a sacrificial hall
THE HALL OF EARTHLY TRANQUILITY
Covers three acres
In the four corners of the garden there are pavilions
This garden was where the emperor, empress and
concubines relaxed and were entertained by the
Chinese opera.
THE IMPERIAL GARDEN
THE END