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| Forbidden City China Facts |
Facts About The Forbidden City In China Beijing
Here, we have more than 12 interesting facts about The Forbidden City highlighted in bold, read on.
The Forbidden City in China sits in the heart of the capital city of Beijing for 600 years. In fact, the Forbidden City is the most remarkable symbol of the city’s history as the political center of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As one of China's largest and most well preserved heritage sites, the Forbidden is cherished by the Chinese people and considered a national treasure, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The China Forbidden City in Beijing is in fact a must-see for all visitors to China. It is considered to be among the world's top 5 most important palaces of all time, and is China's most popular single site tourist attraction. After the abdication of the last Emperor in 1911, he and his family lived at the ‘Fasting Palace’ inside the complex up to 1924. Then they had to leave the Forbidden City. Now the Beijing Forbidden City known as the Palace Museum is opened for Public or tourist to tour around.
Read on for the Forbidden City facts and some tourist information for things to do in the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City in China sits in the heart of the capital city of Beijing for 600 years. In fact, the Forbidden City is the most remarkable symbol of the city’s history as the political center of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As one of China's largest and most well preserved heritage sites, the Forbidden is cherished by the Chinese people and considered a national treasure, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The China Forbidden City in Beijing is in fact a must-see for all visitors to China. It is considered to be among the world's top 5 most important palaces of all time, and is China's most popular single site tourist attraction. After the abdication of the last Emperor in 1911, he and his family lived at the ‘Fasting Palace’ inside the complex up to 1924. Then they had to leave the Forbidden City. Now the Beijing Forbidden City known as the Palace Museum is opened for Public or tourist to tour around.
Read on for the Forbidden City facts and some tourist information for things to do in the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City History
In year 1406, the building of the Forbidden City started. The forbidden city where is also known as the Forbidden Purple City or in Chinese 故宫 Gùgōng ‘the Emperor’s Palace’. The fact that the Palace was commissioned by the third Ming emperor, Yongle, and built by the architect Chen Gui. According to tradition, at times more than 100,000 artisans and a total of up to a million workers were involved in the construction of this Imperial Palace. This incredibly great number of workers permitted the building to be completed within 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu in the China Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Why is The Forbidden City Important
The facts that Forbidden City was the home of twenty-four Emperors during 491 years, from 1368 to 1911 made Forbidden City important. The Ming Emperors held control until the Manchus took control in 1644 and moved the capital to Shenyang briefly. The Qing Dynasty later moved the capital back to Beijing and The Forbidden City.
China Beijing Imperial Palace represent the supreme power of the Emperor given from God, and the place where he lived being the center of the world, all the gates, palace and other structures of the Forbidden City were arranged about the north-south central axis of old Beijing of China.
China Beijing Imperial Palace represent the supreme power of the Emperor given from God, and the place where he lived being the center of the world, all the gates, palace and other structures of the Forbidden City were arranged about the north-south central axis of old Beijing of China.
Why is The Forbidden City Called The Forbidden City
The name "Forbidden City" comes from the Chinese Zijin Cheng (紫禁城), literally means "Purple Forbidden City". This refer to the fact that no one from outside the court was allowed in without the Emperor's permission. Ancient China Astronomers believed that the Purple Star (Polaris) was in the center of heaven and the Heavenly Emperor lived in the Purple Palace. The Palace for the Emperor on earth was so called the Purple City. It was forbidden to enter without special permission of the Emperor. Hence, its name 'The Purple Forbidden City', usually 'The Forbidden City'.
How Big is The Forbidden City
Forbidden City is located to the north of China Beijing Tiananmen Square. Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex, which covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat and a 10-meter-high wall houses more than 8,700 rooms. The wall has a gate on each side. The fact that the distance between the south Meridian Gate (Wumen - 午门) and the north Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen - 神武门) is 961 meters (1,051 yards), while the distance between the east and west gates is 753 meters (823 yards). There are unique and delicately integrated towers on each of the four corners of the curtain wall. These give views over both the palace and the city outside China Beijing.
Forbidden City Map
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Forbidden City Map |
The China Beijing Forbidden City tour is generally described in two sections. The "Outer Court", in the south, was designed to be where the business of governing the empire was executed, while the "Inner Palace", in the north, was the home of the Emperor and his family. The usual way to tour around the Forbidden City is on foot or walking, which you don' expect to finish the Palace in just a few minutes. You will be able to see the map when touring the Palace Museum.
The entrance is from Tian'anmen Square to the south Meridian Gate (Wumen - 午门). After entering and walking for awhile you will first come to the Outer Court: Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian), Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian), Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian), Gate of Heavenly Peace (Qianqing Men). Traveling further, you will reached the Inner Court: Palace of Heavenly Peace (Qianqing Gong), Palace of Union and Peace (Jiaotai Dian), Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunning Gong). The tour end with last section of the Forbidden City where the Imperial Gardens is: Imperial Garden, Mental Cultivation Hall (Yangxin Dian). Lastly, tourist will exit from the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen - 神武门).
The entrance is from Tian'anmen Square to the south Meridian Gate (Wumen - 午门). After entering and walking for awhile you will first come to the Outer Court: Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian), Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian), Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian), Gate of Heavenly Peace (Qianqing Men). Traveling further, you will reached the Inner Court: Palace of Heavenly Peace (Qianqing Gong), Palace of Union and Peace (Jiaotai Dian), Palace of Terrestrial Tranquility (Kunning Gong). The tour end with last section of the Forbidden City where the Imperial Gardens is: Imperial Garden, Mental Cultivation Hall (Yangxin Dian). Lastly, tourist will exit from the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen - 神武门).
How Many Tourists Visit The Forbidden City Each Year
Due to the China Beijing Forbidden City cultural significance and unique beauty, the Forbidden City is extremely popular with both Chinese and foreign tourists. The Palace Museum has 14 million visitors annually.
These overwhelming numbers often make for extensive lines, particularly on national holidays and weekends. The Chinese government is working hard to ensure the constant flow of visitors is well-regulated and to prevent harm to the ancient buildings by the large crowds. The palace is considered a must-see for everyone lucky enough to visit Beijing.
These overwhelming numbers often make for extensive lines, particularly on national holidays and weekends. The Chinese government is working hard to ensure the constant flow of visitors is well-regulated and to prevent harm to the ancient buildings by the large crowds. The palace is considered a must-see for everyone lucky enough to visit Beijing.
What Time Does The Forbidden City Open
Forbidden City opening or visiting hours is from Tuesday through Sunday all year round, and on national holidays that fall on Mondays, and is open every day during the summer vacation period (1 July to 31 August).
Hours as follows:
- 1 April – 31 October: 8:30am to 5:00pm. Last entry to museum galleries: 4:10pm. Last tickets are sold at 4:00pm
- Summer vacation (in year 2014: 5 July to 24 August) hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm. Last entry to museum galleries: 4:10pm. Last tickets are sold at 4:00pm.
- 1 November – 31 March: 8:30am to 4:30pm. Last entry to museum galleries: 3:40pm. Last tickets are sold at 3:30pm.
Take note of the last entry time, you will only have 10 minutes if you got the last tickets, so don't loiter and enter the Forbidden City last minute.
Hours as follows:
- 1 April – 31 October: 8:30am to 5:00pm. Last entry to museum galleries: 4:10pm. Last tickets are sold at 4:00pm
- Summer vacation (in year 2014: 5 July to 24 August) hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm. Last entry to museum galleries: 4:10pm. Last tickets are sold at 4:00pm.
- 1 November – 31 March: 8:30am to 4:30pm. Last entry to museum galleries: 3:40pm. Last tickets are sold at 3:30pm.
Take note of the last entry time, you will only have 10 minutes if you got the last tickets, so don't loiter and enter the Forbidden City last minute.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit The Forbidden City
Forbidden City admission fee from 1 April – 31 October: ¥60; 1 November – 31 March: ¥40. For entrance to the Treasures Gallery (including the Stone Drum Gallery) and to the Clocks Gallery, additional entry fee of 10-yuan ticket price is required. Children under 120 cm in height are free of charge.
Special tickets price of ¥20 are available for students enrolled in Chinese primary and Secondary Schools and Universities with valid student ID or certified letter from The School Administrator for Forbidden City entry. This is also applicable to foreign students and students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, but excludes post-graduate and adult education students. However, it's worth an under-18 showing his/her passport and asking for a student ticket price for entry, as it a deal that sometimes work.
Electronic-GPS-enabled audio guides are available after the security gates, price at ¥20 for Chinese audio guides, ¥40 for foreign language audio guides (over 30 languages available). Many non-native English speakers prefer the English version even over those in their language, since it is narrated by Roger Moore, the English actor famous for playing James Bond during the 1970s and '80s.
Last but not least, hopefully, the above facts about the Forbidden City will provides some tourist information for you when going for the Beijing Forbidden City tour in China.