Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is a sprawling complex of palace buildings in the center of downtown Beijing. For centuries it was the home of the emperor and the heart of the Chinese government. In past years it was not permitted for normal citizens to enter the Forbidden City, but nowadays anyone is free to explore it.

Possessing around 1000 intact buildings and nearly 9000 rooms, a tourist could spend days fully exploring the Forbidden City. The complex is divided into two separate parts: the outer court, where imperial ceremonies were traditionally performed and guests were entertained, and the inner court, which was used as the imperial family’s living quarters.

Places like the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the ceremonial seat of power in imperial China, are in the outer court. The inner court has areas such as the Palace of Heavenly Purity, which served as the emperor’s residence for many years.

Many of the rooms and areas in the Forbidden City are filled with artwork and valuable antiques, many dating hundreds of years back. Literally thousands of relics can be found here, including paintings, bronze ware, ceramics, jade and more. The buildings are some of ancient China’s most intricate and beautiful architecture and have been carefully restored and preserved. There are also ponds and gardens spread throughout the complex.


History

The Forbidden City was built on the site of the old Mongol palaces that existed during the Yuan Dynasty. After the Mongols were driven out of Beijing by the Ming Dynasty, the old palaces were burned to the ground and the capital city was moved to Nanjing in the south.

A later Ming Emperor moved the capital back to Beijing and began work on the Forbidden City in 1406 and the complex was not completed until 1420. Materials from far-flung corners of China were used, including special clay floor tiles from Suzhou in southern China and teak wood from south western jungles.
   
After the Ming Dynasty collapsed in 1644, the invading Qing Dynasty continued to use the Forbidden City as the center of political power and as the emperor’s residence. The complex was raided and occupied by European forces twice – once during the Second Opium War in 1960 and again in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion.
   
After the collapse of the imperial system in China in 1912, the Forbidden City’s inner court continued to serve as the residence for the former imperial family for over a decade. There was limited damage to the site during the Cultural Revolution. The Forbidden City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.


Who should go: Anyone interested in Chinese history will be able to spend hours exploring the Forbidden City. Likewise, art enthusiasts will find many priceless pieces inside.

When to go: The Forbidden City can be visited any time of year. Much of the complex is outside so remember to bring weather-appropriate dress.

Price: The ticket to enter all parts of the Forbidden City is 40 RMB from November through March. It’s 60 RMB from April through October. For another 20 RMB, you can listen to a high-quality guided audio tour.

Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (April 16 through October 15)
              8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (October 16 through April 15)

How to get there: Take the Line 1 subway to either Tiananmen West (天安门西) or Tiananmen East (天安门东). From the subway exit you can see Tiananmen Square at the walls of the Forbidden City.