Asia Beauty Spot – Asia Scenery

Lying at the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong in Chinese, was the imperial palace for twenty-four emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was first built throughout 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ancient Chinese 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 empeor. Hence its name ‘The Purple Forbidden City’, usually ‘The Forbidden City’.

Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tiananmen Square. The Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here. Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, it houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987, the Palace Museum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions world-wide.

1. Meridian Gate (Wumen)

The Meridian Gate, Wumen in Chinese, is the southern gate and the only entrance now to the Forbidden City. Chinese emperors believed that they were the Sons of Heaven and therefore should live at the center of the universe. They believed the Meridian Line went through the Forbidden City, so this gate was named accordingly. Wumen is the largest and most imposing gate to the Forbidden City. It has five openings and is 35.6 meters high. The gate is surmounted by five pavilions named Wufenglou, which means ‘The Tower of the Five Phoenix’. The tower housed bells which rang to announce the emperor’s departure for the Temple of Heaven, while drums were stricken to announce their departure to the Ancestral Temple. The bells and drums were sounded when the emperor was going to receive his ministers in Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony).

Everyone who entered the Forbidden City had to observe strict rules concerning the use of the Meridian Gate. The central arch was for the exclusive use of the emperor. However, an empress was granted the privilege of using this entrance once, and only once, on her wedding day. As a special honour, the three finalists who achieved the highest awards in the national examinations presided over by the emperor, would be permitted to march through this archway, following their interview with the emperor. The smaller arch to the east was used by ministers while that to the west was used by the royal family. The remaining arches were used by petty officials. Ordinary people were forbidden to enter the city.

A number of special events would take place at the Meridian Gate. On the equivalent of the 1st October, the emperor would issue the lunar calendar for the coming year. The calendar would indicate the days on which various ceremonies would be held. In ancient times, emperors would bestow food on ministers to mark important days in the solar year. After wars, Emperors would receive captives here. Also, to the left of the Imperial Way which passes through the central arch, those who had offended the emperor would receive a flogging as their punishment.

2. Hall of Literary Glory & Hall of Martial Valor

Entering from the south main entrance of Forbidden City – Meridian Gate, you will see the Inner Golden River Bridges. To the east of the bridges is the Gate of Unified Harmony leading to the Hall of Literary Glory. To the west of the bridges is the Gate of Prosperous Harmony leading to the Hall of Martial Valor. These two halls, standing symmetrically on a west-east line, now separately serve as the Pottery Gallery and the Painting Gallery.

Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhuadian)

Pottery Gallery

Hall of Martial Valor

Painting Gallery

3. Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen)

Behind Wumen, The Meridian Gate, one can see five bridges with a courtyard beyond. Occupying the centre of the northern side of this courtyard is Taihemen, The Gate of Supreme Harmony.

The Inner Golden River flows beneath the bridges which are consequently referred to as The Inner Golden River Bridges. The central bridge was used exclusively by the emperor. The two flanking it were for use by members of the royal family. The two outer bridges were for court officials. The bridges have marble balustrades richly carved with dragon and phoenix motifs. With the ever present threat of fire damage to the palace buildings, the river served as a water reservoir as well as being a decorative feature.

The large courtyard beyond the river covers ten thousand square meters. It is treeless as, in Imperial China, the emperor was regarded as the Son of Heaven. Born to rule the empire, his was the loftiest position no one and nothing could appear higher. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, is the highest building in the Forbidden City and not even trees could overshadow it. There are many other instances of this particular arrangement throughout the City.

You will be astonished to learn that the foundations of the palace were laid in a very special way – seven layers lengthways and eight layers crosswise, totalling fifteen layers in all. This precaution was intended to prevent assassins tunnelling into the palace. Paving bricks were specially made so as to make a pleasing sound when walked upon. The rooms on each side are said to have served as warehouses for storing such items as fur, porcelain, silver, tea, silk, satin and clothes.

Taihemen, north of the square, is the main gate of the Outer Court and which is fairly grand. The gate is guarded by two bronze lions. These symbolise imperial power. The lion on the east side is male. Its right front paw is placed on a globe denoting that imperial power extended world-wide. The lioness on the west side has its left front paw on a lion cub. This denotes a thriving and prosperous imperial family.

The gate is important as it was here that the emperors’ wedding ceremonies were usually held. Here to, in the October of the first year under Shunzhi reign of the Qing dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi announced an Act of Grace.

4. Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian)

Entering Taihemen, you will see Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) across the spacious square, which covers of 30,000 square meters. Standing on a three-tier marble terrace, this grandest timber framework ever in China is overwhelming.

The hall was erected in 1406 and has undergone many later repairs. As the heart of the Forbidden City, the so-called Golden Carriage Palace, used to be the place where emperors received high officials and exercised their rule over the nation. Grand ceremonies would be held here when a new emperor ascended the throne. Celebrations also marked emperors’ birthdays, wedding ceremonies and other important occasions such as the Winter Solstice, the Chinese New Year and the dispatch of generals into fields of war.

Alongside the flights of steps which ascend the three tiers of the terrace, there are eighteen bronze Dings, a kind of ancient Chinese vessel, representing the eighteen national provinces of those times. On the luxuriously balustraded terrace, stand a bronze crane and a bronze tortoise, symbols of everlasting rule and longevity. The marble Rigui, an ancient sun dial on the eastern side and the Jialiang, an ancient measuring vessel on the western side demonstrate that the emperor was both just and fair. In front of the hall, there are a couple of gilded bronze vats, which were used to hold water in case of fire.

Since the Hall of Supreme Harmony was symbol of the imperial power, it was the highest structure in the empire during the Ming and Qin dynasties. No other building was permitted to be higher any where in the empire. The heavily glazed hall is 35.02 meters high (37.44 meters including the rooftop decoration). It is 63.96 meters in width and 37.2 meters in length respectively. There is a total of 72 pillars, in six rows, supporting the roof. The doors and windows are embossed with clouds and dragons.

Inside of the hall, the floor is paved with special bricks which were fired long and then polished by being soaked in tungoil. As a symbol of imperial power, the sandalwood throne, standing on a two-meter high platform, is located in the center of the hall and surrounded by six thick gold-lacquered pillars decorated with dragons. Dragons are carved all over the golden throne. Around the throne stand two bronze cranes, an elephant-shaped incense burner and tripods in the shape of mythical beasts. The hall is heavily decorated with dragons, giving an aura of solemnity and mystery. In the middle of the ceiling is the design of two dragons playing with pearls. They were made of glass and painted with mercury. The pearl was said to be able to detect a usurper of the imperial power. If anyone who was not the descendant of the Emperor Huang Di usurped the throne, the pearl would drop down and strike him dead.

5. Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian)

The Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian) is located between the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian) and the Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohedian). These three halls, known as the Three Great Halls of the Outer Court, are on the central axis of the Forbidden City. Of the three halls, the Hall of Central Harmony is the smallest. Covering a total area of 580 square meters, the hall is a square structure built like a pavilion, each side of which is five bays long, measuring 24.15m. The hall has a single-eaved roof with a gilded pinnacle gleaming brightly in the sunshine. A bird’s eye view shows the architectural arrangement of the three halls avoids monotony, presenting the charm of Chinese architectural style, indicating the high level of expertise of the ancient architects.

The Hall of Central Harmony served as a place for rest for the emperor when he was on his way to hold ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. When everything was ready, he would go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to receive homage. It was here that he consulted with his ministers and officials. Each year prior to their departure for important sacrificial rites at the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of the Earth or elsewhere, he would come to this hall to prepare elegiac addresses. Before going to the Altar of the God of Agriculture (Xiannongtan) to plow land and sew seeds himself every spring, the emperor would check the seeds and farming tools used in the ceremony in this hall. The imperial family tree of the Qing Dynasty was complied once every decade. When the compilation was finished, it would be sent to the emperor to be examined, which was also done in the Hall of Central Harmony.

Inside the hall, visitors can see a pair of golden unicorns standing on each side of the throne in the center. Called “luduan” in Chinese, the unicorns were imagined mythological animals and believed to be multilingual and capable of traveling 5592.34 miles (9,000 kilometers) in a single day. Therefore, gargoyles of these mythical beasts, which served as sandalwood burners, were put around the throne as a symbol of the great wisdom and intelligence of the emperor. On the flat ground stand bronze incense burners used to make fire to keep warm. Beside the throne are two sedan chairs used to shuttle the emperor around the Forbidden City. There were rigid regulations concerning the occasion and the kind of sedan chair the emperor should take.

6. Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohedian)

Baohedian, the Hall of Preserved Harmony, stands at the northern end of the three-tier marble terrace. Similar in style but somewhat smaller than the Hall of Supreme Harmony it is larger than the Hall of Central Harmony. It was built in 1420, rebuilt in 1625 and renovated in 1765. The Ming Emperors would usually change into their ritual garments here prior to the ceremonial installation of an empress or crown prince. While during the Qing dynasty, it was usual for imperial banquets to be held here. Such banquets might be to celebrate a princess’s marriage. The emperor would entertain high officials, the bridegroom and his father together with their relatives who served the imperial government. Each year, on the eve of the New Year’s Eve, banquets would be held to feast and honour provincial governors, Mongol princes, civil and military officials.

• Huge Stone Carving

Behind the Hall of Preserved Harmony, in the centre of the stairway, is a huge marble relief of nine dragons playing with pearls. It is the largest stone sculpture in the Forbidden City. Sculpted originally in the Ming dynasty, it was re-sculpted in the Qing dynasty. During these dynasties, anyone who was caught touching this holy stone would receive the death penalty! Weighing about 250 tons, the marble slab is 16.57 meters long, 3.07 meters wide and 1.7 meters thick. The huge stone was hauled into the palace all the way from Fangshan, up to 70 kilometers from Beijing. This difficult task took about a month employing twenty thousand men and thousands of mules and horses. It is said that a well was dug every 500 meters along the way and the well water was poured on the ground so as to form an icy road which could facilitate land boat transportation. Can you imagine that?

Ready to go into Gate of Heavenly Purity, the gate of the Inner Court? Go north!

7. Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqingmen)

The Gate of Heavenly Purity (Gate of Celestial Purity or Qianqingmen) on the central axis divides the Forbidden City into two parts, the Outer Court and the Inner Court, therefore, it serves as the main entrance to the imperial household. To the east of the gate are Inner Light Gate (Neizuomen) and Ministry for Courtiers (Jiuqingfang) and to the west are Inner Right Gate (Neiyoumen) and Office of Grand Council of State (Junjichu). In the south of the gate, there is Qianqing Men Square, 200m long and 50m wide. To the east of the square is the Gate of Great Fortune (Jingyunmen) and to the west is the Gate of Great Ancestors (Longzongmen). In the east side inside the gate, there are Hall for Cultivating Princes (Shangshufang) and the Gate of Sun’s Shine (Rijingmen). In the west side inside the gate, there are the South Study (Nanshufang) and the Gate of Moon’s Radiance (Yuehuamen).

The Gate of Heavenly Purity was established in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655. Five bays wide, three bays deep and sixteen meters high, the Gate of Heavenly Purity is a structure with single-eaved roof, resting on the 1.5-meter-high white marble base of Buddhist-style building surrounded by carved stone balustrades.

8. Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong)

Inside Gate of the Heavenly Purity (Qianqingmen), you will see the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong or Palace of Celestial Purity). This was the sleeping quarters of the emperors inside Forbidden City.

The Palace of Heavenly Purity is a smaller version of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. As it was deemed inferior to the Hall of Supreme Harmony everything within it is smaller than similar items in the superior palace. However, it is the largest palace in the Inner Court of Forbidden City and it is superior to any other structures there. It was built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1798 as a consequence of fire damage Ming emperors and the first two Qing emperors lived in this palace where they attended to daily affairs of state. Here they also read, and signed documents, interviewed ministers and envoys. Occasionally, banquets and other ceremonies would be held here too. Twice, in 1722 and 1785, a ‘Banquet for A Thousand Seniors’ was held here . Old men over 60 from the nation attended these events. Emperor Qianlong even gave them presents. Later, Emperor Yongzheng moved his living quarters to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which is located to the west of this palace. Nevertheless, the Palace of Heavenly Purity continued to play a significant role in the imperial life.

Moreover, in the Qing dynasty, no matter where the emperor died, his coffin would be placed in this palace for a few days for memorial ceremonies. Later the coffin would be moved to Jinshan, and then buried in the mausoleum on a selected day.

In the centre of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the throne is on a raised dais, surrounded by cloisonne incense burners, long red candles, and large mirrors, which were placed beside the throne to ward off evil spirits. On the surrounding columns, there are two pairs of couplets written by Qing emperors. Over the throne hangs a plaque engraved with four Chinese characters, written by Emperor Yongzheng and which mean ‘Justice and Brightness.’ From the time of Emperor Yongzheng, the name of each crown prince would be written on duplicate documents and a copy would be placed in a box behind this plaque. The other copy would be retained by the emperor. Only if the name on each document was the same would the designated prince take the crown upon the death of the emperor.

9. Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (Jiaotaidian)

The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (Jiaotaidian), or the Hall of Union and Peace, is one of the three main palaces in the Inner Court of the Forbidden City. It is between the other two main palaces, the Palace of Heavenly Purity (qianqinggong) and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunninggong). The hall was established in the reign of Jiajing (1522-1566) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was restored twice in 1655 and in 1669. In 1797, it was damaged by a fire and thus rebuilt the next year. The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union is a single-roof structure with a gilded bronze spherical pinnacle. Square in shape, it is three bays wide and three bays deep, smaller than the Hall of Central Harmony (zhonghedian) which is a similar architectural style. The name of the hall was adopted from the Book of Changes, meaning the union of heaven and earth, and peace and harmony of the whole nation in Chinese. In view of the authoritarian role of eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi (1644-1661) ordered to place an iron sign forbidding the eunuchs’ interference into government affairs in this hall.

• Qianqiu Festival Celebration
• Jade Royal Seals Storage
• Big Chime Clock
• Bronze Clepsydra

Courtesy of China Tourism Board