Beijing is an Ancient City with a large number of historic Monuments and Hotspots. At the very center of the City stands its crown jewel, the Forbidden City, the Former Imperial Palace of the Emperors, home of the Dynastic Dragon Throne.
Starting with the settling of the Mongol Kublai's who invaded from the North and devasted the original city of Beijing, then named Zhong Du, and through the subsequent Yuan Dynasty (1206 AD - 1368 AD), Beijing has been the Capital City of China, with only brief intersessions, since the Year 1280 AD. The first break was made during the first three Reign Periods of the Ming Dynasty, who moved the Capital to Nanjing (Jiangsu Province) in 1368 AD. Only half a century later, in the year 1406 AD, during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD ) the Capital City was moved back from southern Nanjing, the early Capital of the Ming, to Beijing, the key city underneath the Northern Defenses, the Great Wall of China holding off the Hsueng Nu (Northern Tribes), China's Main Enemy.
During the subsequent Ching Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD) Beijing remained the Imperial Capital and the City population and area were enlarged, leaving roughly the layout of the (Central) City today with at its very (geographic) center the Imperial Palace, the "Gugong" so called "Forbidden City" now known as The Palace Museum. Today the Imperial Palace, last restored in the year 2006 AD is largely open to the Public and the Main Tourist Attraction in Beijing.
Jingshan Park / Coal Hill / Prospect Hill Imperial Pleasure Garden.
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Maps to find your way to and inside the Palace Museum.
1) A Map depicting All Sites in Downtown Beijing in the Area around TiananMen Square.
2) The TiananMen Square Area, north of which stands huge the Palace Museum, a city within the City.
The Palace Museum of Beijing was designed and constructed during the Reign of Emperor Yongle, the 3rd Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. In 1406 AD Beijing, the Capital of the personal Fiefdom of Yongle, the Prince of Yan, was once more designated the Capital of the Chinese Empire. Construction on the Huge Imperial Palace, the largest Palace since the Tang Dynasty, was begun in the same year. Construction would last for only 15 years.
The Palace Museum and its Halls follow the traditional Ming Dynasty Confucian Style of Architecture similarly displayed in its predecessor, the Imperial Palace of Nanjing. The
Interiors of the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Inner Court).
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between the two Main Halls. The Last and most Northern Hall of the outer court is Bao He Dian, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, which is another large Throne Hall used for several purposes depending on Time and Era. The Hall of Preserving Harmony gives access through to the Inner Court and its large ceremonial entrance square. Today's visitors pass west- and east- of Bao He Dian, using Minor passages leading away from the Ceremonial Platform and Halls.
Wider Perimeter & Gates of the Palace
Nightview of an illuminated Tian An Men - the famous Gate of Heavenly Peace at Tian An Men Square and gateway to the Palace Museum.
Discover Beijing with the grandiose and interesting film "Bodacious Beijing". Great intro to the City and Sites !
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The Outer Walls and Gates of the current Palace officially begin at Wu Men
- the Southern Gate and Entrance of the Imperial Palace, significantly located halfway between
the status of this separating wall. To the East- and West adjacent, the perimeter Walls lead away and around the Palace. This is what is known as The Purple Forbidden City, the Inner Palace City. Only High Officials could enter through Wu Men, and then still only on official invitation by the Palace. Entrance was that exclusive.
Go across the giant square in front of Wu Men and leave through one of the side gates. Taxi's and small busses drive through here all the Time. This is Beijing's First Ring Road. The First ring road enters at the West Flowery Gate, the circles south along the Palace Wall and Moat and passes through a small gate onto the square south of Wu Men. From Wu Men the first ring road the continues on between Wall and Moat to leave the Route at Dong Hua Men, the East Flowery Gate more or less famous for its nightmarket with peculiar foods like snakes and scorpions.
The Palace Walls turn to their normal color of grey brick once outside the view of the magnificent Meridian Gate and its square. From Wu Men and the side-gate a road and walking path lead around both to the East and the West Gates. The Northern Half of the Palace Walls cannot be approached. That is, there is only a narrow strip of land between the Palace Wall and the Moat on the East side, leading North from DongHuaMen. Usually the Gate is closed as this area is reserved as make-shift parking for Palace Workers. There is nothing worthwhile to view anyhow.
The Moat in the East, beyond DongHuaMen is equally un-approachable due to the dense housing built immediately on its banks. Only in the North-East Corner great views of both Palace Wall and Watch-towers return.
In The West, North of the Western Gate the Moat is wide and equally difficult to approach. High two- or three-story wooden structures are built against the Palace Wall on the Palace Side, making it appear even higher. A single strip of housing prevent a walk along the Moat to the North.
Today's Palace Museum is not the same Palace that stood during the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1644 AD). Today's Palace (Museum) covers 720.000 square meters and includes the largest wooden hall in China (TaiHe Dian).
The entire palace officially totals 9 Thousand 999 + 1/2 rooms, making it the largest preserved collection of wooden structures in the World. The number of rooms in the Palace is considered very auspicious and of vital symbolic significance as it refers to the number 10.000. The Emperor was the Lord of 10 thousand years, however, as he would bow only to God himself, symbolized by the complete number 10, his power was symbolized as 9 (or here 9,999), the closest as a human could come to being God himself.
According to our sources the 1/2 room is not located inside the Walls of the Forbidden City itself, but should be found at the (former) Imperial Library and Academy (XiCheng District), located due West of Beihai Park and located on BeiHai's Shore. This was a place where the Emperor would regularly confer with his Highest Advisors as well as teach to young officials in training. The HanJin Imperial Academy has its own Holy and Symbolic Imperial Architecture.
In reality, in the current Palace there are over 980 wooden buildings and at least 8700 rooms.
During its lifetime as the Imperial Palace of China the complex has been home to no less than 24 Emperors of the Ming & Ching Dynasty. Its last Emperor, Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi, was evicted from his Palace in 1924 AD. The Imperial Palace has been open as a Public Museum since the year 1925.
The Palace Museum of Beijing was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 AD.
The Museum has a collection of well over 1 million items, the number of which has been steadily growing in the years since China's economic succes and new archeological finds and excavations. The bulk of the original collection includes articles of daily use by the emperors, empresses and consorts, stone tablets and carvings, gold and silverware, ceramics, lacquer ware, cloisonné, enamelware, items used for calligraphy and painting, textiles, clocks with frames embedded with precious stones, and many other valuable articles which had been amassed by the imperial court. Many valuable items which had been in private collections beforehand, have been bought at auctions by the Museum or Private Chinese Donors and have returned to the Palace Museum today.
New Exhibitions have been added in the years since 2002 AD.
Angry chinese rickshaw-driver-who-wants-to-be-payed outside of the Eastern Side Gate of the Meridian Gate Ceremonial Square.
Follow the moat here to Dong Hua Men or visit the Imperial Ancestral Temple !
The Yu Huan Yuan, or Palace Garden in the Palace Museum is found in the Northern Half, where it is part of the Nei Ting, or Inner Court. The Palace Garden was the largest but certainly not the only Garden inside the Palace and Forbidden City. Not all, but many of the larger North-Western, as well as North-Eastern Palaces have or had their own smaller garden or rockeries.
Furthermore, the Imperial Family had extensive and exclusive access to various other Parks & Gardens. First there was JingShan Park, just North of the Palace. Then there was Bei Hai Park and the Imperial Yong An Temple due West of the Forbidden City. BeiHai connects South to the Middle Lakes Zhong Hai and Na Hai in which the Yingtai (Water Terrace Pavilion) Island on which the Guanxu Emperor was held captive. This is now the ZhongNanHai Complex, the reclusive Chinese Leadership compound dubbed the new Forbidden City.
Further away on the outskirts there were two Summer Palaces. Of these today only the YiHeYuan Summer Palace remains. The older Palace, just East of the
English Tutor to Last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Pu Yi (Xuan
Tung). Currently, it is not open to the Public. The most treasured structure in the Palace Gardens however is the central Palace of Imperial Peace. The Palace of Imperial Peace is surrounded by its own red chalked walls which are decorated with Colorful Ceramic depictions of animals and pierced by a colorful ceremonial gate that is guarded by a set of small golden Lions. It is a magnificent little jewel inside an otherwise already impressive garden.
The Palace Garden further features the necessary smaller open pavilions, wooden halls, many old trees, stone rockeries, garden ponds and its own look-out mountain with a small Temple on Top.
The quickest and shortest route to the Palace Garden is the one through the Palace North Gate - Shen Wu Men in the outer wall, then directly south into the Garden through Chun Cheng Men in the Inner Wall.
During the Qing Dynasty this route was used in an assasination attempt on the Emperor.
behind of the Gate of Supreme Harmony lies the main ceremonial square. On the North Side of the Outer Court and this huge Square, atop their elevated white marble
platforms stand the three Main Ceremonial Halls of the (former) Imperial Palace.
The Palace Museum has many exhibitions on site, and the number has been
growing in the Last Few years. With newfound affluence in Beijing, and larger donations from wealthy supporters the Palace Museum has opened several new wings and opened several dedicated exhibitions on new subjects.
Walk either West or East around the Palace, quite a distance, and end up at Shen Wu Men. Shen Wu Men, the Northern Gate and another public entrance with a ticket office stands across from Jingshan (Coal Hill) Park, which was once a part of the Imperial Palace Structure and a favorite pleasure Garden of Emperor Qianlong (of the Ching Dynasty). Jingshan was created with the debris of the raised Yuan Dynasty Palace which stood North of the Ming Palace location. In Agony, Shame and Despair over his sudden impotence, The Last Ming Emperor, Chong Zhen, killed himself at Jingshan when faced with the advancing Paeasants & Ching Armies in an undefended City.
Find the "China Ware" - Ceramics at adnex Halls immediatly West of BoaHeDian, the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Enter either adjacent the Right Hind Gate or pass through it and turn left and west. The permanent exhibition of original and famous Ceramic Treasures is inside of here.
The Bronzes Exhibition is found more northernly inside the Courtyard Adnex Halls of the Qian Qing Gong - Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Central Palace in the Inner Court (Nei Ting). It holds the fabulous archeological wealth aquired by the Palace & Museum and gives a very acurate overview of the history of chinese bronze casting. China's was one of the first cultures in human history to achieve this technical feat, and their skills were unprecedented in Time. An impressive and interesting display of artifacts of all times and ages (See our Summary of all Chinese Dynasties) can be viewed upclose.
Exhibition of Imperial Treasures and Gifts : at the Palace of Peaceful Old Age.
Information on where exactly to find the other exhibitions is under research and will be available here at a later date.
Naturally, the original collections of the Museum are the Ceramics Ware's that China is so Famous
Clocks & Watches Museum at the Hall of Worshipping Ancestors, holding mainly remnants of Ching Dynasty Era imported clockery. There are some of the first chinese made mechanical clocks on display too. They date to the 1800's AD. Hidden away in one of the many palaces of the Inner Court are a multitude of other displays, permanent or just temporary. Among them the cloisonne (clausenet) exhibition, the Jade's exhibition at the Palace of Immortality, the Exhibition on symbolic Back-Scratchers studded with Jewels - a famous gift of the Ching Dynasty, the Exhibition on Empress-Dowager Cixi, and a few surprises more.
Military Council during both the Ming and the Ching Dynasties. The Central structure here is the Hall of Military Eminence, Wu Ying Dian, the council Hall with its own white marble access bridge over the Golden River and a ceremonial Gate and Courtyard. Inside is a huge exhibition, so far in Chinese language only. The other exhibitions include an authentic wooden slab Buddhist library, the official one used by the Ching Court. You can have a peak at them yourself in the Eastern annex Hall! (only through glass, not to handle).
Other buildings include the BaoYun Tower and the Yingsi Gong. The Yingsi Gong houses part of the exhibition, but the BaoYun Tower is not open to the Public at the moment.
Detail of Pond Theme Decorations on Cup, Eggshell porcelain, Qianlong Period of Ching Dynasty.
for, the Bronzes Exhibition displaying China's long and early tradition of high quality bronze casting is equally impressive. Other highlights include the
Even newer is the renovated West-Flank of the Palace. Go West immediately after passing through Wu Men and find a new part of the Palace Museum Grounds opened to the Public. Here the Western Gate of Harmony (Xi He Men) gives access to a large swath of Garden Green inside the Palace. This section was not another Palace Garden but in use as the
The Palace Museum Location - How to Get There
Due to the Imperial design of the City (author Ming Emperor Yongle), much of which still determines the lay-out of the Inner City today, the Palace Museum of Beijing is very easily located. Find it as the centerpiece of the Former Imperial City, right in the geographic middle point of City Center. Technically it is part of DongCheng District which starts out across Chang An - Eternal Peace - Avenue from TiananMen Square. Any Map will do. For those who need more, here a few handy maps examples useful for navigation to and from the Palace.
Tickets can be bought at the Ticket Office West of and outside Wu Men.
Those who are already familiar with the Palace can also buy a ticket and enter the Palace through Shen Wu Men, the North Gate of Divine Military Might standing across from Jingshan, the Coal Hill, and its Park. From here pass through to the Palace Garden, Yu Huan Yuan.
Tickets cannot be bought at the Western and Eastern Flowery Gates. The East Flowery Gate, in walking distance of Wanfujing Street is reserved strictly for the Palace Museum Administration and Workers. The West Gate is usually closed.
Names for The Palace Museum
The official name of the former Imperial Palace Grounds Museum is: The Palace Museum of Beijing. However, locally the Palace is known as the Gugong.
Internationally the Palace Museum mainly goes by the slang-nickname " Forbidden City". Historically it was known as " Da Nei ", the Great Within, which signified the inaccessibility and Forbidden Nature of the Palace Grounds leading eventually to the name nickname Forbidden City cast by Sir Reginald Flemming Johnston, aptly naming his book on his years at the Imperial Court of Qing Dynasty Emperor Pu Yi "Twilight in the Forbidden City".
Sir Reginald Flemming Johnston was the only western Tutor to the secluded last Ching Emperor, the boy Pu Yi. He left a unique account of the Court & Life in his Book "Twilight in the Forbidden City".
Hall of Abstinence (Zhai Gong), Eastern Palaces of the Inner Court.
Display window at a temporary exhibition of Clay & Ceramic Statues excavated during archeological digs at several locations in China's Provinces.
Six Colored Cloisonne Long Vase, with Gold Adornments, dated Qing Dynasty.
Part of the Permamanent Exhibitions at the Palace Museum.
The Northern or XiShiKu Church on its new location. The original Jesuit Church was moved in order to expand the Imperial Palace Grounds.
The Evil Empress-Dowager Cixi and her control over the Reign of the Guanxu Emperor. Great Costumes and Historic Drama in the Forbidden City !
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new location, was burnt down in 1900 AD by invading forces during the "Boxer War" and only a Park with remnants remains. Last but not least there was even a Qing Dynasty mountain retreat far away in Chengde, North Hebei Province to play around in.
There are several Hall and Lodges inside the Palace Gardens. Internationally, the Most Famous of these is the Lodge of the Nourishment of Nature, Yang Xing Chai, along the Western Wall of the Garden. This Lodge was the Palace Home of Sir Reginald Flemming Johnston , the
The Palace Museum - Inner & Outer Imperial Palace Perimeter Map, A unique satellite image overview of the Palace Museum Perimeter and the greater Imperial Palace Area. As described in the adjacent text, structures of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park, the Park of the Peoples Culture and the Imperial Ancestral Shrine were a a part of the larger Palace City.
Find NanChiZi Dajie' running North-South along the East of the Palace, where the Imperial Library Vault is still located and open to visits.
Burning of Imperial Palace - The Sequel to the "Reign Behind a Curtain".
Review coming soon !
12 Stories Tall : Wu Men - the Gate of the Meridian with its Five Phoenix Pavilions on Top.
The Palace has not always had its current structure. The current Palace Museum is only the Inner Core of a larger Imperial Palace City. As hinted above and on several of our maps, in the Past the Imperial Palace had an even larger size at several Times.
More details on this will Follow on this Page, soon !
A Satellite based Birds Eye View of Beijing City Center, with added information. Clearly depicted Ancient City Walls, Imperial City Borders, Inner Palace + City Landmarks.
First and foremost, the construction of a new Capital City and a Giant Imperial Palace required a giant logistical operation. Preparations were lenghty and complicated as construction materials were required and needed to be ordered from all Provinces of the Empire. For instance - the Nanmu Wooden pillars holding up the Pillars of all main Halls were imported from far away Sichuan Province, the only region where the gargantuan trees suited for the task were available. The transport route of the wood from Mountainous Sichuan Province to Beijing covered well over a thousand miles.
In the construction of the Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty some two to 3 hundred thousand workers, artist and artisans were employed. Many involuntarily. Officially, construction started in 1406 AD and lasted until 1420 AD, although there is more to the story. Preparations were lengthy and there was considerable political maneuvering necessary to have the political Capital move North. However, in the end a new Palace was commissioned in Beijing, to be completed in the year 1420 AD. A Grandiose opening ceremony for all Ministers & High Officials of the Empire was held on the Lunar New Years Day of the year 1421 AD.
Renovations at The Palace Museum
Nanjing Palace, founded by 1st Ming Emperor Zhu YuanZhang is now destroyed and only ruins remain. Not coincidentally, the Palace Museum was built on the exact location of the earlier Dadu Imperial Palace of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1206 AD - 1368 AD), the one that was eliminated by Ming Founding Father Zhu Yuanzhang.
Hidden away behind and North of Bei Hai Park Imperial Pleasure Garden and World Heritage site, the Lakes of Beijing continue with Qian Hai and Hou Hai Lake (Shishahai Area). Part of the Ancient Main Watersource of Beijing, Qian Hai waters come from HouHai and continue through Bei Hai to the Imperial Palace Golden River. Nowadays Qian Hai is an easy parklike space surrounded by original Hutong and decorated by the Drum Tower. Once a favoured place for Beijing Men to take their Love for a Boat Ride under Moonlight, lately Qian Hai offers a growing number of small Bars, Restaurants & Cafe's that cater to modern needs. Come to Qian Hai on a Hot Summer's Eve to relax and Enjoy the splendid City.
The current Perimeter of the Palace Museum grounds is rectangular in shape. Its purple enclosing wall extends from Wu Men - the Meridian Gate in the
North, a distance of 960 meters. The enclosing Wall is 750 meters long from East to West, spanning from Nanchizi Dajie (the location of an interesting affiliated site -the Imperial Library) nearly to Nanchang Jie. The Wall is near 10 meters
in height, seven-and-a-half meters thick on average and is further enclosed by an impressive, 52 meter wide, but now mudded up Moat. Originally this moat was 6 meters deep.
At each of the four corners of the enclosing wall stands a Watchtower, the design of which is unique to the Imperial
Thus, the square "Forbidden City" or Purple Forbidden City, the Inner Palace, reaches its 720.000 square meters in surface area.
However, as you may have inferred from our explanations on how to get to The Palace Museum and what the customary first-time route through the Palace is, in the Past the Palace Grounds were larger and included several adjacent structures, many of which can still be found today.
To explain in the easiest and most recognizable way, starting in the South the Palace Perimeter extendeds well beyond the Meridian Gate - Wu Men. As is still clearly recognizable today, the Southern-most Point of the Palace lay at Tian An Men - the Gate of Heavenly Peace, which at the Time was an announcement Gate. The downtrodden public, the ordinary citizen, was kept well outside of TiananMen Gate, where a small river and the five white marble bridges separated the masses from the Great Within (Da Nei). The Gate was then known as Guo Men - Gate of the State and the White Pillars outside of Tian An Men, still standing today, were pillars where the public
could proclaim their complaints to the Emperor and Court. The Public could further hear the official announcements made on behalf of the Emperor shouted down from the Gates gigantic platform.
From Tian An Men, only the invited could proceed, well watched by the Palace Guards. Invited High Officials would proceed from Tian An Men, through Duan Men, to gather outside and underneath of Wu Men, where the Emperor would speak to them from the Gate Platform.
The normal citizen would therefor never see the Emperor, except perhaps when he left on a tour through the City before offering prayers at the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) (twice a year).
Cross Nanchizi DaJie' once more and find the Eastern side-entrance into the Imperial Ancestral Temple complex, just a bit to the North and inside a hutong-like alley.
From here one can enter the Ancestral Shrine (buy a ticket!), but one can also explore a little bit southward again to find some last remaining Palace Remnants running between the hidden hutong dwellings here. These are officially slated for destruction and old-styled rebirth, however, this little corner hangs on untill today.
View along Nanchizi Dajie' with its lush green trees. On the left the outer wall of the Imperial Library Vault, the home of the Wanfung Modern Art Gallery.
From the Corner of Nanchizi Jie' and Dong Chang An Avenue Northward extends the Perimeter of the Outer Imperial City and Palace. Follow Nanchizi Jie' northward to find find the Park of the Peoples Culture leading back West inside the Red Wall.
Cut through the Park and continue North on Nachizi Jie' to find an interesting affiliate site to the giant Imperial Palace. Just East and across Nanchizi Jie, just past the Park of the Peoples Culture stands the Former Imperial Library Vault. This Library Vault, was a functional part of the Imperial Palace, however, as a protection against fire-hazzards, it was placed inside its own enclosure, away from the wooden palace structures. As you will note upon your visit, as a further safeguard, the Imperial Library Vault was constructed in stone.
These structures taken together form the larger Palace or what is known as the Outer Palace & Wall.
Palace of Beijing.
In the East, the Wall can still be recognized as well. Leading away from TiananMen Gate eastward, the Outer Red Wall first gives access North through a colorful Ceremonial Gate to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Usually missed by first Time visitors due to the many Times more Impressive Site of the wellknown TianAnMen, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was a very important part of the Imperial Palace Architecture. Here the sacred tablets of representing the spirits of the Imperial Families' Ancestors and deceased Emperors were kept safe and were worshipped on a daily basis. Explore the Site during a later visit to the huge Imperial compound.
Heading Due East along the Red Outer Wall past the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the visitor moves along the Park of the Peoples' Culture, which is located inside the Outer Perimeter Wall and pleasantly hidden away from busy Dong Chang An Avenue. Here the first intersecting street leading North is Nanchizi Dajie'.
Symetrical with the Western Flank of Tian An Men, well inside the corner of Nanchizi DaJie', the second minor Gate overarching Dong Chang An (East Eternal Peace) Avenue was located. In the recent past, some remnants of this minor gate were recognizable here. However, they were cleared somewhere after the year 2002 AD during the construction of a new Ministry at Chang An Avenue's south side and none can be found today.
To Enter the Park of the Peoples Culture one has continue ones walk along the Red Wall (and Dong Chang An Avenue) untill reaching Nanheyan DaJie' and the modern day Grand Hotel Beijing, where the Eastern Entrance of the Peoples Culture Park is located.
In the West, a Red Wall leads away from TiananMen Gate to the Gate of what is now Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park and even beyond. Here the Red OuterWall crosses NanChang Jie to continue to the Gate of New China (XinHua Men) at ZhongNanHai and further, including the ZhongNanHai compound in the whole. The Western Wall only ends at the corner of FuYou Jie', the Road and Wall leading North along the West Banks of Zhong Hai and Nan Hai Lakes.
Inside the Western Outer Wall, at Sun Yat-Sen Park, the Square Altar was located, remnants of which can still be visited at the Park.
As can be seen in some of the old Films of the Grand Military Reviews at Tian An Men, in The Past, the Space of South of Tian An Men Gate, now TiananMen Square (and originally much smaller), was seperated to the West & East by two minor red wall gates arching over Chang An Avenue.
XinHua Men, The Gate of New China, south ceremonial Gate to ZhongNanHai Park and Palace, since 1949 AD the residency of the Chinese Political Leadership. In the Past a part of the extended Imperial Palace of the Ching Dynasty. Famous residents - The imprisoned Guanxu Emperor and Chairman Mao Zedong.
At Times, the Palace extended even further. During both Ming and Ching Dynasties many Minor and some very Major changes were made inside the Purple Forbidden City Palace. However, during the Ching Dynasty, the original Palace was enlarged and extended, first northward, then mainly west-ward.
Before ZhongNanhai, west of the current day Palace Museum, became the Leadership Residence Compound of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 AD, it was part of the extended Imperial Palace of the (later) Ching Dynasty. During the Reign of Emperor Qianlong, The Imperial Palace was extended west-ward to include the Zhong Hai and Nan Hai lakes and their Western Banks.
In 1887 AD, the original main Christian Church in Beijing, the Jesuit Cathedral located at CaiShiKou on the western banks of what is now ZhongNanHai (since the early Ming Dynasty), had to be demolished, relocated and entirely rebuilt to enlarge the Palace further. Find a much larger and newer Church at new Location at XishiKu Northern Church.
Hidden Secrets and China's love & hate affair with the Forbidden City !
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Last Ching Emperor, the boy-king Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi, Emperor Xuan Tong (Reign 1909 AD - 1911 AD) as depicted on a Ching Dynasty Silver Dollar.
Elevated to Emperor at the young age of 4, Pu Yi, son of Loyal Prince Chun (2nd) spent all of his life imprisoned in his own Palace, secluded from reality by his own courtiers, as vividly depicted in the epic Film "The Last Emperor".
View of Jingshan and its Park looking North along the Imperial Cities' Central Axis from ShenWu Men, the Northern Gate of Divine Military Might.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony, Tai He Dian, is the Ceremonial Centerpiece of the Entire Palace, and the Power Seat of the Ancient Empire. Inside this largest wooden Hall in China, in the exact geographic Center of the (Old) Imperial City, stands the Dragon Throne, China's seat of Emperors and the political heart of the Chinese Feudal Empire.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony, Tai He Dian, stands on the central north-south axis line of the Palace, 30 meters high above Supreme Harmony Square, atop a Three-layered white marble Platform, the largest in the Palace. On Top of the Platform, along its balustrade are multiple statues and ritual symbols of Imperial Power (such as the grain measure).
The Tai He Dian is the highest, widest and deepest building of the Palace
Schematic Map of the 1900 AD Legation Quarter, the Legations and current day Remnants. Summary of Main Streets included - Now Available, Click Map !
Court, from which white marble steps and the largest dragon carved stone in China lead toward the Entrance Gate.
One of the Impressive Golden Lions standing outside of Qian Qing Men - the Gate of Heavenly Purity. Two lions guard the richly decorated Gate and Entrance of the Inner Court of the Palace.
Leading North on both sides adjacent to the Three Central Halls are the Western Long Corridor and the Eastern Long Corridor. These Long Corridors lead North-ward towards the Palace Garden - Yi Huan Yuan, meanwhile separating off side-alleys leading either to the Central Halls and Axis or away to one of the 6 Palaces of that side of the Palace Complex. It is a virtual Labyrinth !!!!
The Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qian Qing Gong) - the Main Hall of the Inner Court guarded by the Impressive and Colorful Gate of Heavenly Purity, the main ceremonial access Gate to the Inner Court.
The Inner Court is the most complex and architecturally innovative part of the Palace. Within are 12 different palaces, 6 Palaces of the West and 6 Palaces of the East. Furthermore, on the Central Axis in between of these 12 Palaces and lined by two north-south corridors stand the Main Three Halls.
Dynasty in the East. Currently, it is still under conservation and it's interiors are not yet open to the Public. Some of the more minor but interesting features of the Inner Court are the Rain Flower Pavilion with its miraculous design and Golden Dragons on the Roof, The Lodge of Fresh Fragrance Theatre, due West of the Yu Huan Yuan Palace Garden - a Theatre Favored by Cixi on her 60Th Birthday, and the Shou An Palace of the far Western Corner of the Inner Court. The Shou An Palace has its own Garden - the Ying Hua Tien with rockeries rivaling the Main Garden - Yi Huan Yuan (described below). All of these are as yet not opened to the Public, but the Yellow Tiled Tower can be viewed from the Courtyards of the Western Palaces of the Inner Court.
In East, architecturally out of sync with the Inner Court and Wider Palace some further structures enrich the Museum. Among these : the Nine Dragon Screen - a part of the Huge Palace of Peaceful Old Age where the Imperial Treasures & Gifts Museum is located, the Exercise Field and Archery Pavilion and the Chapel of Serving the Ancestors - Feng Xian Dian, the home of the Clocks & Watches Museum.
In these Palaces the Ming and Ching Emperors lived, backed by their Empresses, surrounded by the Princes Palaces and served by the Eunuchs and Concubines in adjacent Quarters.
During the (later) Ching Dynasty official Court was also held inside the Inner Court. The reigning Palace of Empress-Dowager Hsu-Tzi and of Last Emperor Pu Yi was the Mind Cultivation Palace (Yang Xin Dian). It is one of the finest Palaces of the Inner Court. Located in the South-West of the Inner Court, it is the first Palace accesible through the Western Long Corridor.
View along the Western Long Corridor of the Inner Court. From here a maze of small alley-ways and courtyards extends north-ward. In the background the pavilions of Jingshan loom over the Imperial Palace Grounds.
The Western Palaces of the Inner Court are accessible through a Decorated Gate located due West of Qian Qing Men - The Gate of Heavenly Purity. From Here the Western Long Corridor leads Northward towards the Imperial Gardens.
The First Palace in the West, on the left Hand in the Long Corridor is the Yang Xin Dian or Palace of Mental Cultivation (and Ti Shun Tang). As mentioned above, the Mental Cultivation Palace was the Reigning Palace of the Ching Dynasty, the home of the Qianlong Emperor and last used by Empress-Dowager Hsu-Tzi, then by Last
An Empty Courtyard in Front of the Gate of the Palace of the Cultivation of the Mind - Yan Xin Dian. In the background the roof of the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qian Qing Gong) is visible.
The Eastern Palaces of the Inner Court are accesible through the Eastern Long Corridor and through corridors leading away from the Central Palaces. In a Pavilion adjacent but
Naturally the Garden is also accessible from the Central Residential Palaces of the Emperor. Enter from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kun Ning Gong), through the decorated Gate of Earthly Tranquility to move directly into the Green. Other historic moments in the Garden include the First Tennis Match played in the Forbidden City, in the Garden and organized by none other than Emperor Pu Yi.
A ceramic Double Dragon Motif on a Screen Wall, part of the Yang Xin Dian - Palace of Mental Cultivation.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity - Qian Qing Gong, was during the Ming Dynasty the living Quarters and Residence Palace of the Emperor. Only on rare occasions High Officials would be escorted to the Palace to meet with the Emperor in Person. Later, during the Ming Dynasty it diminished in importance considerably and it was mainly used for the practicing of Inner Court religious ceremonies.
During the Ching Dynasty, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was mainly abandoned, except for Official Ceremony. Due to its traditional ceremonial importance, it was also the Palace where the Ching Emperors would lie in State, after their Death.
The Interior of the Palace of Heavenly Purity mainly features a Richly Decorated Throne. Above the Throne hangs a Plaque with the
The Hall of Union or Literally translated Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union is the Middle Hall, standing between the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kun Ning Gong). It is much smaller in size than the other Palace Halls. This small square Hall was mainly used as a storage room. During the Ching Dynasty it was the Ceremonial Storage Room of the Highly Important Imperial Seals, the conveyors of Imperial Powers and Edicts. Today it is once more in use as such. Currently 25 of such Imperial Seals, of Emperors and Empresses, are stored at the Hall of Unity among a golden silk covered interior with plentiful dragons
Double Happiness Decorations from the Imperial Bedroom at the Yi Kun Gong.
Inscription : "Justice and Honor". It was behind this plaquette that the secret edicts of the Emperor designating the Crown prince would be hidden, to be recovered only after the Emperors Death, a practice invented by Emperor Kangxi of the Ching Dynasty.
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility - Kun Ning Gong was the main residential Palace of the Ming Dynasty Emperors. Where the Emperor on rare occasions would receive his Highest Ministers at the Palace of Heavenly Purity, None were allowed here at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. This was the most private Palace of all.
Later, during the Qing Dynasty the Court offered its daily sacrifices in Rituals of Manchu Lamaism at this Important Hall. The Grand Nuptuals, the Imperial Wedding, was also held at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. This is the Palace Hall where the Ching Emperors KangXi, Tongzhi and Guanxu and their Empresses had their wedding ceremonies. The Palace consists of a large and wide room flanked by two smaller side-rooms in the east and four side-rooms in the west. In one of these the actual Bridal Bed of the Empress with the traditional 100 children design is still on display. Other interesting pieces of furniture, beautifuly decorated, abound.
and ancient inscriptions and caligraphy.
outside of the Decorated Eastern Gate of Eastern Long Corridor of the Inner Court the notorious Starbucks Outlet inside the Forbidden City was located. This has however been closed in summer of 2007. Pass through the Gate and through the Long Corridor to find the Eastern Palaces in symetry with the Western Palaces.
The First Palace in the Eastern Section of the Inner Court is the Hall of Abstinence (Zhai Gong), flanked by the Palace of Bringing Forth of Blessings (Yu Ching Gong), which in the last days of the Ching Dynasty functioned as Emperor Pu Yi's School Building. Adjacent lies another Eastern Palace, the Chapel of Imperial Ancestors (Feng Xian Dian). Behind these three magnificent Palaces lie the Six Palaces of the East.
Visit the the Palace of Bringing Forth of Blessing, The Ancestral Chapel, the Archery Grounds (Jian Chang) and Pavilion and the Far Eastern Palace of Peaceful Old Age, via the Gate of Prospect and Good Fortune (Jing Yun Men). The Hall of Abstinence is only accesible through the Long Corridor of the East.
The Six Palaces of the East are in succession : The Palace of Great Benevolence (Jing Ren Gong), the Jingsi Gong, The Palace of the Treasures of the Sky (Chien Qian Gong), The Palace of Eternal Harmony (YungHe Gong), Chung Tsei Gong and the Palace of the Great or Radiant Yang (Ying Yang Gong).
Behind the 6 Eastern Palaces lies one more hidden Estate. This is the Palace of Inheriting Heaven (Xuan Qiong Bao Dian), in the far North-Eastern Corner of the Inner Court's Eastern Palaces.
The North-Eastern Palaces of the Inner Court were mainly in use as residences of the various Imperial Concubines. Today they are the location of many of the Permanent as well as Temporary Exhibitions of the Palace Museum.
The Last and most Northern of the Three Main Halls is the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Bao He Dian). This Large Hall, standing on the same three tiered white marble platform, is the secondary Throne Room of the Palace. Initialy it was used as a banquet Hall but later it also served for a long time as the examination Hall of the Highest Level of the (Confucian) Imperial Exams.
From Bao He Dian, White Marble Stairs in between of which a huge dragon-carved stone slab, lead down to the Square. After ceremonies, this was the route along which the Emperors carrying-chair would retreat on its way to the Inner Court. While the carriers were using the stairs, the Emperor would glide softly down over this largest stone-carved slab in China, to cross over the Square and be carried back to his residential Palace inside the Gate of Heavenly Purity of the Inner Court.
In the East and West, there are two minor gates in a purple wall likewise giving access to the Entrance Square of the Inner Court. This is the less grandiose route, currently reserved for the humble Palace Visitor.
Apart from the Three Main Halls on the Central Axis of the Palace, there are two more Palaces of the Outer Court. Hidden somewhat out of sight, outside of the main ceremonial Supreme Harmony Square and away from the center, the Hall of Martial Valor (Wu Ying Dian) stands in the West, on the path north along the western Axis of the Imperial Palace. On the Eastern Axis, outside of Supreme Harmony Square stands the Eastern Palace, The Hall of Literary Glory (Wen Hua Dian). Here Important Books, Manuscripts and Edicts of the Emperor were stored, on hand for the Courts use. This eastern hall is however off limits to the visiting public.
Behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony, balancing the two Main Ceremonial Halls stands the Zhong He Dian or Hall of Balancing Harmony. This small Ceremonial Hall is in architectural Unity with the Main Halls, but only served minor functions, mainly as a resting place and dressing Room for the Emperor before or in between of holding Court, Meeting Officials or Conducting Grand Ceremonies.
The Zhong He Dian - Hall of Central Ceremony on a snowy day in Januari of 2000 AD.
Behind it the Tai He Dian - the Hall of Supreme Harmony, largest wooden hall in China.
The Palace of Peaceful Old Age. The 18Th Century retirement Palace of the Powerful and Succesful Qianlong Emperor of the Ching Dynasty can be considered one of the most exquisite parts of the Palace Museum. Located due East of the Inner Court and even the Eastern Palaces, this large section of the Palace Museum was the secluded retreat of the Emperor after his official abdication in 1796 AD. The main halls of the Palace were symbolicly modelled after the Central Halls of the Inner Court, signifying the Power of the Retired Emperor, who for a long time could not
The Huge Palace Complex, larger then the Central Halls and the Palace Garden combined is lavishly decorated and very well designed. No expense was shyed in its creation and its interior decorations are said to be among the greatest treasures of the entire Palace Museum and of incredible historic value. As much of the Palace had been sealed up for years, preservation activities at the Palace have only recently been completed. The Palace is however open to the Public. Inside the Main Hall of Imperial Supremacy, some of the Imperial Treasures and Gifts are on display. Behind the Main Halls is a magnificent Garden and several lesser Pavilions and Halls. It is very worthwhile a visit ! Start at the Nine Dragon Screen and dwell Northward.
Large Scale Map o/t Palace Museum, all structures.
--> Click Map to Open in Seperate Window !!
Visitors gawk at the colossal Nine Dragon Screen, part of the Palace of Peaceful Old Age (Ning Shou Gong) of the Eastern Inner Court, now the Clocks & Watches Exhibition of the Palace Museum Inventory.
resist the urge to "advise" his son the JiaJing Emperor, who by then was of
During the Ching Dynasty, the Central Halls of the Inner Court no longer functioned as the Home of The Emperor but the residential Palace(s) of The Emperor were moved to the North-Western Palaces. Hence, these are among some of the Finest Palaces and Halls of the complex.
The next of the Six Palaces of the West is the Palace & Hall of Great Supremacy (Tai Yi Dian) with the Hall of State Unity (Ti Yuan Dian). The Palace of Great Supremacy is the South-Western most of the Six Palaces and is hidden behind the Palace of Immortality.Although most easily reached by entering the West Parallel Corridor from the South, currently this gate usually remains closed and the route for Tourists is as above through the Western Long Corridor to the Gate of the Palace of Immortality, then from there continue due West to enter the Palace of Great Supremacy through its own Gate followed by an access alley leading to its large frontal Courtyard.
Cultivation (Yang Xin Dian) and the Six Palaces of the West.
Turn into the first left-hand Main Gate to find yourself inside of the frontal Alley giving access to both the Palace of Immortality and the Gate and Palace of Great Supremacy beyond. To make matters complex, the frontal access alleys of both Palaces are separated by further decorated Gates in between of which the southern length of what is known as the Western Parallel Corridor. This Corridor runs North-South between the Six Western Palaces creating inter-connections on both sides, very useful for eunuchs and court servants but not easy for first time visitors.
In the Ching Dynasty, this entire area of the Palace was reserved for the Emperors use only. As a result each Palace is different and famous for either it's decorations, its architecture or its history. Or all of those. Today the Palace of Immortality is the home of the Precious Jade Treasures Exhibition of the Palace Museum.
From the Frontal Courtyard one can explore the interiors of the Palace, or walk around to find the Hall of State Unity (Ti Yuan Dian), behind which lies yet another Courtyard.
Through minor Gates in the back Courtyard of the Hall of State Unity connects through to the North and the next row of Palaces. Here you will find yourself suddenly inside the Palace of Eternal Spring (Chang Chun Gong).
Both the Hall of the Great Supremacy and the Hall of State Unity were in
The Middle two Palaces of the Six Palaces of the West are the Palace of Giving Blessings to Mother Earth (Yi Kun Gong) and the Palace of Eternal Spring (Chang Chun Gong). The Northern
The Northern-most two Palaces of the Six Palaces of the West are the Palace of Gathering Excellence (Chu Xiu Gong) and the Palace of Complete (or Established) Happiness (Qian Fu Gong). Both of these were the Residential Palaces of the Imperial High Consorts of the Ching Dynasty.
Inter-connecting Passages connect the Palace to the Palace of Giving Blessings to Mother Earth (Yi Kun Gong) in the South. As a result one can enter the Palace in the South through passageways from the Hall of Manifest Harmony (Ti He Dian), the lavishly furnished Concubines' Quarters behind Hall of Giving Blessings to Mother Earth (Yi Kun Dian). The other route to the Palace of Gathering Excellence is from the East through the Northern Most stretch of the Western Long Corridor.
The Chu Xiu - Gathering Excellence Palace is the site of one of the ancient Folk Tales that relate to the Court Affairs inside the secluded Palace. It is the Tale of "The Red Crowned Crane at the Chu Xiu Palace", a short tale about a Crane Bird and the Qianlong Emperor.
The Palace of Gathering Excellence further was the residential Palace of Hsu-Tzi during her Time as reigning Empress-Dowager. During her long Time at this Palace she gradually made a name for herself as "The Dragon Lady", a ruthless and sadistic ruler, finally to go down in history as the undoer of the Ching Dynasty and the most hated Feudal Lady of the Land.
For her 50Th birthday the Empress-Dowager spend a huge amount of cash and the interiors of both the Hall of Manifest Harmony and the Hall of Gathering Excellence are of a lavish foreign inspired design modern for the Times. All Halls in the Palace were reserved for the Empress-Dowager Hsu-Tzi during her Reign behind and over the TongZhi Emperor and Guanxu Emperor, leaving even the Last Hall of the Palace, the LiJing Xuan richly decorated.
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service as residence quarters for the Imperial Concubines, during both Ming and Ching Dynasties.
Interior designs of the Palace of Eternal Spring (Chang Chun Gong), another of the Imperial Concubines Residential Quarters.
Front of Coin commemorating the Life and Reign of Empress-Dowager Hsu Tzi, who was behind the Tongzhi and Guanxu Reigns of the Ching Dynasty.
Courtyard behind the Hall of Giving Blessings to Mother Earth directly connects it to the Northern Palace of Gathering excellence via several open passages in the back.
The Palace is open to the Public with small Exhibition of the belongings and sumptuous furniture of the Empress-Dowager inside the several Halls of the Complex and the interiors of the other Halls can be gleaned through windows and open doors.
Hidden away in the north-western hind-corner pavilion of the Palace of Gathering Excellence, inside the very last Pavilion there is a small but interesting Exhibition on the Last Emperor Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi (XuanTong). Here one can find the Emperors glasses, the famed bicycle he rode inside the forbidden city and other Pu Yi parafernelia.
Emperor XuanTong
View of of the Hall & Square of Supreme Harmony from inside TaiHeMen - Supreme Harmony Gate.
Within the Outer Court, the Emperor held his Grand Ceremonies and Banquets on
special occasions. During the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1644 AD), on normal days the Emperor would hold court at the Outer Palaces with their Throne-Rooms, and/or receive foreign and Chinese dignitaries there.This was not a daily recurring event however.
During the Ching Dynasty, the Emperors would hold court more frequently and in later Times official State Visits were usually received at the Inner Court (Nei Ting), rather than
The function of Wai Chou, or Outer Court, was first and foremost : to impress.
The enormous size of the Triumphal Meridian Gate, the vast expanses of the outer courts large Square of Supreme Harmony, the gold, glitter and splendor of the surrounding Buildings, and the Impressive Three Central Halls on their high Platforms, all were meant to instill a sense of awe into whomever was regarded high enough or important enough to enter this place. Receiving Entrance was a very high honor, indeed.
at The Official Throne Hall (Tai He Dian).
The day to day administrations of Empire were generally conducted by high officials from minor offices inside the buildings surrounding the Outer Court.
The Outer Court was reserved for Official State Affairs, including the Grand Ceremonies on the Lunar New Year, coronations of Princes and of course the Imperial Wedding(s).
The Huge Dragon Stone Slab - largest in the Palace, North & Behind BoaHe Dian in the Inner Court Entrance Square.
and measures nine bays wide and five bays deep (bay=space between 4 pillars), the nine and the five symbolic numbers symbolically refering the the Imperial High Grace and Divinity.
On the inside, not surprisingly, the Tai He Dian is the most lavishly decorated Hall of the Palace. Among its features today - giant single-piece Nanmu woooden pillars imported from Sichuan province, the XuanYuan (Yellow Emperor) Mirror hung from the ceiling by a gigantic golden and coiled Dragon and ofcourse - standing between gold-guilded nanmu pillars, on top of its own platform, The Dragon Throne itself.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Security at The Palace Museum
Since the establishment of the First Republic of China, who were in use of the Three Main Halls and the Outer Court from 1911 AD onwards, the Palace Museum has its very own Ceremonial Guard Detail.
These Guards not only hold a spectacular parade each sun up and sundown at The Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian An Men) in combination with the raising and lowering of the National Flag at TiananMen Square, they also help securing the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum.
ceremonial, the responsibility for Security at The Palace Museum is shared with the Beijing Police (aka the Public Security Bureau). The Beijing City Police has its very own Police Station located due East of the North Gate (Shenwu Men) and North of the Imperial Garden, inside the Palace. If your property has been stolen and need a receipt for insurance, or if you are in other need of Police attention, head for the Police Station of the Palace Museum.
Directions are given on signs inside the Palace Museum, or otherwise, one can ask a member of the Palace Museum Staff, who are on hand in numbers.
In modern days this means that the Guards detail is on regular patrol within the Palace Museum to ensure the security of all visitors and if possible their belongings as well. In recent years the Palace Museum has been a favored spot for pick-pockets, due to its large tourist crowds with plenty cameras and other items to steal. However, since Patrols have been stepped up and central security camera systems have been installed the problem has dwindled. Mostly, the Guards keep an eye on unwanted tourist activity such as climbing walls or monuments, vandalism, possible theft, arguments and brawls and other incidents. These are uncommon.
In addition to the security provided by the Official Guards Detail, who's functions are mainly
Guards on Patrol at the Palace Museum.
The Palace Museum of Beijing is currently undergoing large scale renovations, the first phase of which, the renovations of the exteriors of the main palaces on the Central Axis, is already complete.
Renovations on the Palace Museum began on April 10Th of 2005 and are scheduled to last for a staggering 19 Years. In the process the Palace Museum's exteriors as well as interiors will be restored its original splendor of Times long Past.
More area's of the Palace Museum grounds will be opened to the Public after renovations.
Dong Hua Men - The Eastern Gate of the Imperial Palace in the Dongcheng District.
When walking around the Palace along the Walls and Moat, keep an eye out for the interesting corner watchtowers. Study them with the eye and discover a magnificent design of complex wood-work and high grade carpentry. The corner watchtowers rank among the architectural masterpieces of the Palace !
Super-source Book on the Forbidden City by Frances Wood, original Publication by the British Museum in London and Press.
All the Main Facts and Many Details on the Court Procedures and other rare but interesting know-how on the Palace Museum.
