From A to Z: Exploring the Forbidden City - China's Most Enigmatic Palace

Introduction to the Forbidden City in China

As a centuries-old imperial palace, the Forbidden City once served as the residence and ruling center for emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, located at No. 4, Jingshan Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, it is the world's largest palace complex, spanning an impressive 720,000 square meters.

Where is the Forbidden City located? (Photo: @chinatraveljoy)

The Forbidden City was constructed over 14 years, from 1406 to 1420. Serving as the imperial palace for 24 emperors, it was not only the venue for ceremonies and political discussions but also the residence of the Emperor and the royal family for 500 years, from the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty in 1420 until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1924.

This palace complex comprises 980 buildings, housing approximately 9,999 rooms of varying sizes. Each structure is designed in the ancient Chinese imperial architectural style, featuring intricate and delicate carvings that exude luxury and elegance.

Recognized as one of the oldest palaces in the world, the Forbidden City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is also listed as the largest preserved wooden architectural complex globally. Today, it stands as one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.

The history of its formation and construction

The Ming Dynasty Era

• In 1403: Zhu Di (Emperor Yongle) ascended as the next emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He decided to move the capital from Nanjing to Beiping (present-day Beijing).
• In 1406: He officially initiated the construction of the Forbidden City, employing renowned artisans, sculptors, and masons.
• In 1420: The Forbidden City's architecture was largely completed.
• In 1557: Three major halls of the Forbidden City—Fengtian Gate, Wenwu Pavilion, and the Meridian Gate—were destroyed by fire and took four years to rebuild.
• In 1597: The Forbidden City faced another fire, requiring 30 years to restore the three front halls and three rear palaces.
• In 1644: Li Zicheng captured Beijing, overthrew the Ming Dynasty, and set the Forbidden City ablaze. Only a few halls survived the fire.

The Qing Dynasty Era

• In 1644: The Qing Dynasty gained full control of northern China and established a new emperor at the Forbidden City.
• In 1645: The Qing Dynasty spent 15 years rebuilding burned halls like the Meridian Gate and Tianan Gate.
• In 1683: Emperor Kangxi ordered the reconstruction of the entire Forbidden City's destroyed architecture.
• In 1695: The complex was nearly fully restored and renovated.
• In 1735: Emperor Qianlong oversaw repairs and the construction of additional palaces like Jianfu Palace, Shouan Palace, and Wuhua Palace during his 60-year reign. The layout of the Forbidden City was finalized and closely resembles its current form.

The Modern and Contemporary Era

• In 1860: The British-French alliance took control of the Forbidden City.
• In 1886: Another fire devastated the Shenwu Gate, Taihe Hall, and Zhaode Hall, which took six years to restore.
• In 1900: Empress Dowager Cixi fled the Forbidden City, which gradually fell under the control of foreign powers before being handed over to the People's Republic of China. Today, the Forbidden City is managed by the Palace Museum.

The Forbidden City holds profound historical significance (Photo: @little_elephant_house)

Opening hours and ticket prices for visiting the Forbidden City in China

Opening Hours

• April to October (peak season): 08:30 - 17:00, last entry at 16:10.
• November to March (off-peak season): 08:30 - 16:30, last entry at 15:40.
• Closed on Mondays, public holidays, or special events. The Palace Museum will announce updates on its official website.

Ticket Prices

• Adults: April - October: 60 CNY (210,000 VND); November - March: 40 CNY (140,000 VND).
• Children (under 1.2m) and seniors (over 60 years old): Free admission.
• Students, military personnel: Discounted tickets available with valid identification.

How to Purchase Tickets

• Online: It is recommended to buy tickets online to guarantee entry, as the Forbidden City sells a limited number of tickets daily.
• On-site: Tickets can be purchased at the entrance, but there is a risk of tickets selling out, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Tips for Booking Tickets

• Book tickets at least a few days in advance, especially during peak seasons and holidays.
• Double-check ticket details and bring necessary identification documents.
• Arrive early to avoid large crowds and enjoy a better experience.

Ideal Time to Visit the Forbidden City

The best time to plan a Beijing tour and fully explore the Forbidden City's architecture is during late spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these periods, Beijing's weather is pleasantly cool, avoiding the intense heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter.

It is advisable to avoid major holidays like Chinese New Year (late January to early February) and China's National Day (October 1st) due to the overwhelming number of domestic tourists, which can make ticket purchasing, sightseeing, and photography challenging.

Choosing the right time to visit the Forbidden City (Photo: @michael_2015_)

To explore the palaces within the Forbidden City, visitors should aim for early morning right at opening or late afternoon. These times are ideal for avoiding crowds and capturing beautiful lighting for photography and videography.

Getting to the Forbidden City

Where is the Forbidden City located? How to get there is a common question for many independent travelers visiting Beijing. Situated in the heart of the capital, the Forbidden City is accessible via various transportation options, including:

• Taxi: 10 - 12 CNY (35,000 - 40,000 VND) for the first 3km, with decreasing rates afterward.
• Bus: 2 CNY (7,000 VND) per trip. Take bus numbers 1, 5, or 52 and get off at the West Tiananmen Gate.
• Subway: 3 - 15 CNY (10,000 - 52,000 VND) per trip. Take Line 1 to the East Tiananmen Gate or West Tiananmen Gate, with subway stations located near the Meridian Gate.

When arriving at the Forbidden City, visitors can enter through the following gates:

• South Gate: Head to Tiananmen Gate to enter directly through the Meridian Gate.
• West Gate: Enter through the left gate, accessible via Zhongshan Park.
• East Gate: Enter through the right gate, accessible via Donghuamen Street.

Map of the Forbidden City

Map of the Forbidden City (Photo: @wiki)

The map of the Forbidden City reveals its vast rectangular layout, stretching from north to south, situated within the Imperial City and surrounded by protective walls. To this day, the palace extends northward to Jingshan Hill and southward to the entrance of Tiananmen Square.

The walls surrounding the Forbidden City serve both as barriers and defensive structures, with a rammed earth core and three layers of baked bricks on either side. Connecting these walls are four corner towers, designed in traditional Chinese architectural style. Each wall features a gate: Donghua Gate to the east, Xihua Gate to the west, Meridian Gate to the south, and Shenwu Gate to the north.

The design of the palaces within the Forbidden City is meticulously planned, symbolizing power, philosophy, and religion. Dominated by red and yellow hues, the architecture follows the principles of the Qian and Kun trigrams, with carefully arranged halls, palaces, and decorative roof ridges.

Unique Architecture of the Palaces in the Forbidden City (Photo: @joeyhoogendoorn)

The layout of the Forbidden City is divided into two distinct sections: the Inner Court and the Outer Court:

• Inner Court: Also known as the Rear Palace, this area served as the living quarters for the Emperor and the royal family. Key palaces include the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Emperor's residence) and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Empress's residence)...
• Outer Court: A solemn space used for grand ceremonies and imperial meetings. This section features the most luxurious designs in the Forbidden City, with prominent halls like the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony...

Must-Visit Attractions in the Forbidden City

When booking a China tour to explore the Forbidden City, make sure to visit the following highlights:

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Beyond its opulent splendor, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is one of the most beautiful palaces in the Forbidden City. Its interior is adorned with intricate dragon motifs, symbolizing the Emperor's majesty and authority.

Standing over 30 meters tall, the Hall of Supreme Harmony spans 9 bays wide and 5 bays deep. During the Ming Dynasty, it served as the venue for imperial court meetings, while in the Qing Dynasty, it was primarily used for hosting significant royal ceremonies.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony on the Forbidden City Map (Photo: @canva)

Imperial Garden

Located behind the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the Imperial Garden is regarded as a heavenly landscape, filled with rare flowers, miniature rockeries, serene ponds, and meticulously designed stone pathways. Notable structures within the garden include the Hall of Imperial Peace, the Studio of Cultivation, and the Pavilion of Eternal Spring.

The Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City, home to rare and exquisite flowers (Photo: @TửCấmThành-故宫北京)

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

According to the introduction to the Forbidden City, the Empress represents Yin and Earth, corresponding to the Kun trigram. For this reason, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility served as the residence of the Empress.

This palace spans 9 bays wide and 3 bays deep, functioning as the primary residence of the Empress during the Ming Dynasty. However, during the Qing Dynasty, much of the Palace of Earthly Tranquility was repurposed for Shamanistic rituals, a religion of the Manchu people.

Palace of Heavenly Purity

The Palace of Heavenly Purity represents Yang and Heaven, corresponding to the Qian trigram. It served as the Emperor's resting place, featuring a structure 9 bays wide and 5 bays deep, built on a marble foundation. The grand hall boasts a double-eaved roof and a ceiling adorned with intricate dragon carvings. The Palace of Heavenly Purity is regarded as one of the most significant palaces within the Inner Court.

The majestic and splendid Palace of Heavenly Purity (Photo: @freddddd_y)

Hall of Mental Cultivation

The Hall of Mental Cultivation features a cylindrical structure with a front hall spanning 3 bays and a rear hall spanning 5 bays. It served as the Emperor's residence starting from the reign of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty. The Emperor's throne is positioned at the center of the main hall.

The rear hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation served as the Emperor's private quarters, with the eastern chambers designated as temporary living spaces for the Empress and the western chambers for the imperial concubines.

What to eat when visiting the Forbidden City?

Dining within the Forbidden City Complex

As a monumental structure with centuries of historical significance, the Forbidden City attracts millions of visitors annually. Beyond sightseeing, the availability of cafes and restaurants has become a notable feature. Within the palace grounds, various dining options offer a range of dishes starting from just 150,000 VND.

One standout option is the Bingjiao Restaurant, built within the ancient ice storage chambers of the Forbidden City. Visitors can explore the historic ice storage area, once used by the royal family, with walls over 300 years old, while enjoying a menu that blends traditional Chinese cuisine with East-West fusion dishes.

The interior of Bingjiao Restaurant (Photo: @jiarujiaru)

Visitors can try braised beef noodles, a dish celebrated as a national treasure of Chinese cuisine, featuring tender braised beef served with fresh noodles and shredded cucumber. This culinary masterpiece, deeply rooted in Chinese culinary art, is currently priced at around 52 CNY (180,000 VND).

Restaurants near the Forbidden City

According to travel tips for China, there are several restaurants located near the Forbidden City offering a variety of dishes at different price points, typically within 1km to 5km of the attraction.

Savor traditional Beijing roast duck at Beijing Da Dong Restaurant (Photo: @tripadvisor)

In addition to traditional Chinese restaurants and modern dining options near the Forbidden City, visitors seeking more food spots around the palace can explore snack streets and food districts such as:

• Longfu Temple Snack Street: No. 1 Longfu Temple, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
• Huguo Temple Snack Street: No. 93 Huguo Temple, Xicheng District, Beijing.
• Wangfujing Snack Street: Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Where to stay when visiting the Forbidden City

Wondering where to stay during your Forbidden City trip? Let Mytour suggest 5 hotels within 3km of the Forbidden City, offering a range of prices and room types to suit every traveler's needs:

*Hotel prices near the Forbidden City may vary depending on peak/off-peak seasons

Hotels in Beijing near the Forbidden City (Photo: @booking)

Tips for visiting the Forbidden City

As the largest palace complex in the world, exploring the Forbidden City typically takes half a day to a full day to cover the main halls. Therefore, take note of the following tips to ensure a smooth visit:

• The Forbidden City sells a limited number of tickets daily, so book early if you plan to visit to avoid missing out.
• Like most Chinese historical sites, visiting the Forbidden City requires personal identification, security checks, and facial recognition. Always carry your passport for easy entry.
• The Forbidden City spans hundreds of thousands of square meters with a complex layout. Prepare a map and plan your itinerary in advance to save time.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and consider renting traditional Chinese costumes available near the palace for memorable photos.
• While there are food stalls inside, visitors are allowed to bring their own snacks. Pack light refreshments like water and fruits for the tour.

Dressing up in traditional Chinese attire and taking photos at the Forbidden City (Photo: @jingjing_yangg)

Visiting the Forbidden City is not just about admiring the scenery; it’s about immersing yourself in the flow of history, discovering the unique cultural values of ancient China, and exploring one of humanity’s most mysterious architectural wonders.

Author: Dung

Image source: Internet & Collected