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Many will be astonished to uncover the intimate lives within the imperial chambers or the clandestine power struggles within the palace walls.
Unraveling the Enigma: Secrets of the Forbidden City's Inner Sanctum
Existing for centuries like a cryptic cipher to the outside world, the Forbidden City once housed the most powerful individuals of Chinese dynasties. Numerous secrets only come to light as historians and archaeologists delve into the vast historical architectural complex.
Clash in the Inner Chambers
Countless concubines within the Forbidden City vie for supremacy from childhood. All must vie for favor to catch the emperor's discerning eye.
During the Qing Dynasty, the Mau Tuat Uprising occurred in 1898. At that time, Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi ordered the arrest of Emperor Guangxu (1871–1908) and his close advisors. The favored concubine Tran Phi, also imprisoned in the cold palace, became a thorn in the eye of Empress Longyu.
When Beijing fell during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, the court had to retreat to Tay An for refuge. Before departing, Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi ordered the eunuch Ly Lien Anh to push Concubine Tran Phi into a small well, instructing servants to fill it with stones. According to records, Tran Phi's remains were only removed from the well a year later.
The Sorrows of a Eunuch
During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), there were up to 100,000 eunuchs serving in the palace. Eunuchs were castrated to eliminate the threat to the court—they couldn't have children and had little chance of usurping the throne.
The duty of eunuchs was to serve the imperial family daily within the palace, and many rose to positions of significant power, such as political advisors to the emperor.
According to tradition, boys selected before puberty had to undergo complete castration. If they didn't die from urinary tract infections or blood loss, they would typically recover within around 100 days.
The removed parts are preserved in glass jars before being dried and placed in small pouches for eunuchs to wear at their sides. These will be buried when the eunuchs pass away, allowing them to return as men in the afterlife.
As the reproductive organs can still develop, eunuchs undergo annual physical examinations upon entering the palace, known as inspection. Many eunuchs are infamous for their foul odor, as incomplete castration leads to urinary incontinence, as reported by the Morning Post.
Emperor's Intimate Affairs
Chinese emperors of various dynasties had thousands of concubines awaiting them in the imperial harem. Becoming a royal concubine, young women had only two duties: bearing children for the emperor and satisfying his desires in bed.
Each night, the emperor would select a woman to indulge himself with. Eunuchs were tasked with recording the files of the concubines for accountability; those who became pregnant by the emperor would be closely monitored.
According to historical records, eunuchs would escort concubines into the emperor's bedroom and bind their feet to prevent them from straying too far. Concubines were only allowed to wear a single silk cloth, ensuring they couldn't carry anything harmful to the emperor.
Concubines are also not permitted to stay overnight with the emperor. Eunuchs will escort them to a temporary bedroom and wait until morning to return to the harem.
Additional Information:
The Forbidden City (also known as the Imperial Palace) is one of China's most famous tourist destinations. It served as the royal palace for over 600 years, from the Ming Dynasty to the final Qing Dynasty, covering an area of 720,000 square meters with 800 palaces and 9,999 rooms.
Visitors to the Forbidden City will easily notice it is divided into two sections, the Front Court and the Inner Court, connected by a long courtyard. The Front Court to the south is for ceremonial purposes, while the Inner Court to the north is where the emperor, empress, and imperial family reside.
As the management only allows a maximum of 80,000 visitors per day, it's advisable to visit in the morning. If you speak Chinese, you can book up to 10 tickets on the online ticketing system, with payment options like Alipay or Zhinfubao.
According to Pham Huyen/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourSeptember 20, 2017
