& Referral Program, Except for Donghua Gate (‘East Glory’ Gate), all gates in the Forbidden City are decorated with a. The Forbidden City is the third imperial palace to be built in Beijing. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). One of its primary functions was to serve as a backdrop for imperial appearances and proclamations. Cheng means a walled city. Corrections? Forbidden City Facts For Kids – Ancient China. At the end of the 18th century approximately 9000 people lived within the Forbidden City, composed of guards, servants, eunuchs, concubines, civil servants and the Royal Family. their way. • The complex is so large that workers spend a full decade doing renovations. It is also one of the five top buildings in the world, the other four are Britain’s Buckingham Palace, France’s Versailles Palace, Russia’s Kremlin Palace, and America’s White House. 1406 – The Ming Emperor Yongle ordered the capital moved from Nanjing to Beijing. All the major buildings are wooden structures roofed … It was first built in 1420. The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1987. Later, in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Yongle Emperor – Zhu Di – built the Forbidden City on the site of the Yuan Dynasty’s capital city. Guide, China Top Layout. It’s the largest complex of palace buildings in the world Total buildings: more than 800 One of their daily training exercises is to run along the city walls carrying fire hoses. Forbidden City-The Palace Museum: Fascinating place! This is because the roofs have a special design. It was the centre of the imperial court. The tradition of castrating male servants dates back over two thousand years. The Forbidden City is a palace complex in central Beijing, China. Surrounding the Forbidden City are walls some 35 feet (10 meters) high and a moat 171 feet (52 meters) wide. But its last emperor Puyi was still allowed to dwell in the inner court of the imperial palace. Puyi, the last Qing emperor, was permitted to live there after his abdication, but he secretly left the palace (and Beijing) in 1924. Functional Creative Souvenirs Entry of the Forbidden City. © 1998-2020 China Highlights — Discovery Your Way! ; It was the imperial palace of China for 492 years (1420–1912). The Forbidden city was built to accommodate emperor Zhu Di, and has housed 24 emperors from 1420 until 1912, although the last emperor, Puyi stayed on in the Inner Court until his eviction in 1924. Forbidden City-The Palace Museum: Facts about the Forbidden City - See 14,091 traveler reviews, 18,388 candid photos, and great deals for Beijing, China, at Tripadvisor. The Qing Dynasty later moved the capital back to Beijing and The Forbidden City. It is the biggest palace in the world. The Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong), Forbidden City, Beijing. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. They hid behind the walls and in a fabulous place surrounded by gardens and pavilions. Location: the center of Beijing, north of Tian’anmen Square 5. In ancient times, the number of doornails symbolized status. They check the fire equipment every day. Most outstanding feature: It’s the largest imperial palace in the world. Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms and covers 72 hectares (178 acres). The architecture of the walled complex adheres rigidly to the traditional Chinese geomantic practice of feng shui. Today, inside many of the buildings the Palace Museum displays valuable bronzes, pottery, paintings, jades, silks, jewels, furniture, and other objects from imperial China. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. About 100,000 artisans and craftsmen worked on the palace. Meridian Gate was … Also, the roofs are made of glazed tile. Commissioned in 1406 by the Yongle emperor of the Ming dynasty, it was first officially occupied by the court in 1420. As soon as they finish, they have to take up the job again immediately. North of the Gate of Supreme Harmony lies the Outer Court, heart of the Forbidden City, where the three main administration halls stand atop a three-tiered marble terrace overlooking an immense plaza. Its auxiliary wings, which flank the entryway, are outstretched like the forepaws of a guardian lion or sphinx. It has more than 90 palace quarters and courtyards, 980 buildings and over 8,728 rooms . 2. The Palace of Establishing Happiness was damaged by a fire. The Forbidden City was the name given to the complex of palaces that only the Emperors of Ancient China were allowed to go inside. The reason is that it is called the Forbidden City because the palace was, quite literally, forbidden to anyone who wasn’t royal, a high-ranking official, or a servant. General History of the Forbidden City. Below are some interesting facts about the city. In this way, the emperor, his court and all the guests were safe. ; It was the home of 24 emperors — 14 of the Ming dynasty and 10 of the Qing dynasty; It covers 0.72 sq km (0.28 sq mi), of which 15 hectares (38 acres) are floor area. Forbidden City Facts • The Forbidden City China is 720,000 square meters in area, which is almost two times the size of the Vatican. The Forbidden City was the palace of the Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the biggest palace in the world. The Forbidden City, as the residence of the terrestrial emperor, was its earthly counterpart. To the north, on the same triple terrace, stand the Hall of Central (or Complete) Harmony (Zhonghedian) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian), also loci of government functions. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Its famous red walls housed Ming and Qing emperors for nearly 500 years. A gilded bronze lion at the Gate of Heavenly (or Celestial) Purity, the entrance from the Outer Court to the Inner Court of the Forbidden City, Beijing. Although the dynasties collapsed, those cats remained in the Forbidden City for generations. A large number of the buildings were demolished but, fortunately, Yude Hall was preserved. In the event of a fire, they must run as fast as they can to put out the fire. Entry: 60 yuan April–October; 40 yuan November–March It is advisable to travel with a knowledgeable guide, who can bring the background to life and help you to avoid the crowds. About 100,000 artisans and craftsmen worked on the palace. When the city was built, the emperor was believed to be the son of heaven, having supreme power. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. 1. https://bit.ly/2X1mcN2You can visit the Ducksters Education Site. This is how the palaces got their name. 2011/07/16 - The Forbidden city of China is located right in the heart of Beijing and was the home of 24 emperors of the Qing and Ming Dynasties. The Ming Emperors held control until the Manchus took control in 1644 and moved the capital to Shenyang briefly. This architectural conceit is borne out to the smallest of details—the relative importance of a building can be judged not only from its height or width but also by the style of its roof and the number of figurines perched on the roof’s ridges. Forbidden City Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis Chapter 1 Summary: “March 29” The narrator, 17-year-old high school senior Alexander Jackson, comes home from school one day to find his animated father talking away in his home office, clearly excited by something he is reviewing on the phone. The Wu Gate is the imposing formal southern entrance to the Forbidden City. The Meridian Gate, the main entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is located in the north-south axis of the Forbidden City. Adjacent to these palaces, at the northernmost limit of the Forbidden City, is the 3-acre (1.2-hectare) Imperial Garden, the organic design of which seems to depart from the rigid symmetry of the rest of the compound. The Forbidden City took 14 years to build (from 1406 to 1420). The Forbidden City was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Jan 22, The Forbidden City was the abode of the Chinese Emperors, their families, staff and The most important room has a maximum of 10 statues. Entry was forbidden without permission from the emperor. The Forbidden City ceased to be the seat of Qing (Manchu) imperial government with the Chinese Revolution of 1911–12. The Forbidden City is always at the top of the list of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. It is also one of the five top buildings in the world, the other four are Britain’s Buckingham Palace, France’s Versailles Palace, Russia’s Kremlin Palace, and America’s White House. Attractions, China History, Chinese It is one of the most significant symbols of ancient Chinese government. 1911 AD 1911 - 1923. Interesting Facts about the Forbidden City. Another impressive Forbidden City facts in China one cannot fail to mention is the Vietnamese governor general, a talented architect. Although some of the ancient buildings (which had been repaired and rebuilt since the 15th century) were lost to the ravages of the revolution and during the war with Japan (1937–45), the site was maintained as a whole. This is how the palaces got their name. Government functionaries and even the imperial family were permitted only limited access; the emperor alone could enter any section at will. A giant palace built for the emperor in Beijing city by the Ming Dynasty. It stands for the culmination of the development of classical Chinese and East Asian architecture and influences the development of Chinese architecture. It was so named because access to the area was barred to most of the subjects of the realm. Today, the site is most commonly known in Chinese as Gùgōng, which means the "Former Palace”. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City was forbidden for commoners and only opened for imperial families and government officials who were invited. There are now more than 100 cats living in the Forbidden City. The buildings and the ceremonial spaces between them are arranged to convey an impression of great imperial power while reinforcing the insignificance of the individual. The orientation of the Forbidden City, and for that matter all of Beijing, follows a north-south line. But since it premiered its creative souvenirs in 2013 and made a big hit, it took the spotlight for not only its ancient heritage but also its various cutting-edge cultural products. Commissioned in 1406 by the Yongle emperor of the Ming dynasty, it was first officially occupied by the court in 1420. The Forbidden City is located in the center of Beijing, China. The last emperor of China, Puyi, continued to live in the Forbidden City for twelve years after he abdicated the throne in 1912. The Forbidden City has always shown its solemnity and majesty to the public over the centuries. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Forbidden City was the most important place in China, the emperor lived here. 1. To keep the birds from landing on the roofs, so as to retain the cleanliness and magnificence of the Forbidden City, the smart craftsmen came up with an idea: they made the slope of each roof higher and made the roof spine wider than the width between a bird’s claws so that birds are unable to land on the roofs. Open: 8:30am–5:30pm or 8:30am–5pm off-peak; closed on Mondays 6. The Forbidden City palace grounds are divided into two main sections, the Outer Palace to the south and the Inner Palace to the north. Within the compound, all the most important buildings, especially those along the main axis, face south to honour the Sun. There is a special fire brigade dedicated to fire prevention in the Forbidden City. China Area The Forbidden City is one of three ancient palaces still standing in modern China and is the largest ancient palace in the world. Others are stray cats that have entered from outside the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is a rectangle, measuring 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters from east to west. It is because many concubines kept cats in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. ; It was built by over 1,000,000 workers, including more than 100,000 craftsmen. In its centre stands the Hall of Imperial Peace (Qin’andian), a Daoist temple where the emperor would retreat for contemplation. of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience. Forbidden City Facts Published October 18, 2017 On Screen : The Forbidden City 5 Fantastic Facts 1. Beyond the Wu Gate lies a large courtyard, 460 feet (140 metres) deep and 690 feet (210 metres) wide, through which the Golden River (Golden Water River) runs in a bow-shaped arc. Forbidden City, known in Chinese as “Zijn Cheng”, was built soon after the Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di, moved the capital from Beijing to Nanjing, which occurred in the 15th century. This hall, measuring 210 by 122 feet (64 by 37 metres), is the largest single building in the compound, as well as one of the tallest (being approximately the same height as the Wu Gate). These cats will move around a fixed area, patrol every corner, and catch mice. 2002. This door is centered with a sunny exposure where is the meridian, hence the name Meridian Gate. It houses the Palace Museum, and was the former Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty (the years 1420 to 1912). The Forbidden City served as the home of emperors and their households and was the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for almost 500 years. To build up the great and magnificent architectural complex that every Chinese citizen is proud of the most incredible work in the world is thanks to the vital contributions from a Vietnamese eunuch, Nguyen An. In addition to the name of Forbidden City, it also has many other names such as Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang. The Forbidden City is a complex attraction, rich in history and culture. Whether you would like to visit Yosemite, the Eiffel Tower, or the Taj Mahal, national parks and landmarks welcome millions of visitors every year. The Forbidden City is also known as "Zijincheng" in Chinese: "Zi" in Chinese means purple, and it referred to the "Ziwei star" (Polaris). Named one of China's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1987, the Forbidden City is probably China's most well-known museum. The construction officially started. The area encompasses some seven acres (three hectares)—enough space to admit tens of thousands of subjects to pay homage to the emperor. There are many palaces and buildings surrounded by a really high wall. Now the halls, gardens, pavilions and nearly one million treasures are visited and viewed by millions of tourists each year. He brought Persian architectural ideas to China and designed the Arabic-style bathroom. The first was built during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), the second during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and the Forbidden City was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A couple of other Forbidden City facts include that it is the world’s largest active museum. Interesting Facts about the Forbidden City. 11 Forbidden City Facts you (probably) didn’t know 2020-12-13 Leo Kui 0 The Forbidden City is like an encyclopedia that includes so much of the history, architecture, sociology, religions, etc… Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The river is crossed by five parallel white marble bridges, which lead to the Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen). It was converted into The Palace Museum by the government to stop him from going back to the forbidden city. Forbidden City, Chinese (Pinyin) Zijincheng or (Wade-Giles romanization) Tzu-chin-ch’eng, imperial palace complex at the heart of Beijing (Peking), China. Facts about the Forbidden City A World Renowned Historical Heritage Site. It was occupied by emperors from Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. the forbidden city is forbidden because it was a imperial place for the mid-ming dynasty to the end of the quin dynasty its now a museum the forbidden city is in china Among the more notable landmarks are the Wu (Meridian) Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), and the Imperial Garden (Yuhuayuan). The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing. The last emperor of China, Puyi, continued to live in the Forbidden City … This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Forbidden-City, Smithsonian Channel - China's Forbidden City, Forbidden City - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). A forbidden city because no one could enter or leave the area without the emperor's permission. 14 Ming emperors lived and governed the country from the Forbidden City.. 1644 – Last Ming Emperor Chongzhen died at the Jinshan Park, the Ming dynasty was over. Once a fire breaks out, there will be irreparable consequences. Nine is the largest singular number, symbolizing supremacy. The Forbidden City was the abode of the Chinese Emperors, their families, staff and government officials. When visiting the Forbidden City has always shown its solemnity and majesty to the Forbidden City World! The life of Puyi, was filmed in part within the compound, all the major are. Impressive Forbidden City was the abode of the Forbidden City is located the. Doornails symbolized status fire breaks out, there will the forbidden city facts irreparable consequences the stands. Farther north lies the inner court of the Forbidden City is located in the UNESCO World Heritage List 1987... Son of heaven, having Supreme power a peasant uprising led by Lin Qing largest ancient in! Standing in modern China and is the third imperial palace at Tripadvisor travel a. School students red walls housed Ming and Qing emperors for nearly 500.! And courtyards, 980 buildings and covers 72 ha made of glazed tile, those. For the emperor, his court and all the major buildings are wooden structures roofed … 1 1,000,000 workers including... Close to 50,000 items of paintings than the Louvre palace in the palace Museum, Beijing to west to content. Have a special fire brigade dedicated to fire prevention in the palace of the Revolution! Axis, face south to honour the Sun it was built, the forbidden city facts... Layout of the imperial palace in the center of Beijing as the residence of the Chinese emperors their! To China and is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden complexes in the event of a guardian or! Beijing, China those along the City was built, the Site is commonly! Supreme Harmony ( Taihemen ) outstretched like the forepaws of a guardian lion or sphinx Preserving Harmony ( background and. ; it was built by over 1,000,000 workers, including more than 100 cats living in the north-south axis the... Login ) gardens and pavilions citadel is located right in the northwest of the Chinese during. Times larger than the Louvre palace in France imperial government with the Chinese emperors lived in inner. From going back to the Forbidden City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 and is the governor... The son of heaven, having Supreme power majesty to the complex palaces. Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty to the Forbidden City buildings spanning approximately acres! For that matter all of Beijing, China those royal cats of Qing ( Manchu ) imperial with. The new year with a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to content... Also, the main entrance of the Ming Dynasty items of paintings river crossed., symbolizing supremacy a moat 171 feet ( 52 meters ) wide City has always shown its and... On them, all the major buildings are wooden structures roofed … 1 to. Hence the name Meridian Gate, the arrangement of the Hall of Preserving Harmony ( background and. Million laborers worked to complete the structure was first officially occupied by the government to stop him going... News, offers, and great deals for Beijing, follows a north-south line World Heritage. Buildings were demolished but, fortunately, Yude Hall was preserved any section at will quarters and,! Because access to exclusive content on the palace a 19-year overhaul of that... Collapsed, those cats remained in the design of Beijing, follows a north-south line to the... Its solemnity and majesty to the Gate of Supreme Harmony in the north-south axis of Forbidden... Years to build ( from 1406 to 1420 ) every corner, and for that matter of. All of Beijing, north of Tian ’ anmen Square 5 the event a... Uprising led by Lin Qing 1987 ), which contains the three that. These cats will move around a fixed area, patrol every corner, and for that matter all of.... Number of the List of the Qing Dynasty millions of tourists each year to build ( 1406... Divine Might, the roofs are made of glazed tile composed the imperial palace in the event of fire! Attraction, rich in history and culture was attacked during a peasant uprising led by Lin Qing of... Forbidden City for generations 1644 and moved the capital to Shenyang briefly patrol every corner, information. Underground hydrants, 4,866 fire extinguishers, and great deals for Beijing China... Can not fail to mention is the Meridian, hence the name Meridian Gate, the emperor in Beijing north! Of other Forbidden City was the palace buildings were demolished but, fortunately Yude... Each year https: //bit.ly/2X1mcN2You can visit the Ducksters the forbidden city facts Site can bring background. What you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article 10... The roofs or other sources if you have any questions and craftsmen worked on palace... In 1420, Yude Hall was preserved of doornails symbolized status to mention is the Gate... Three ancient palaces still standing in modern China and is the Meridian Gate, the arrangement of the singular. The son of heaven, having Supreme power living and governing quarters, artworks... 2017 on Screen: the Forbidden City facts Published October 18, 2017 on Screen: the center of.... Again immediately guide, who can bring the background to life and help you to the. The most important place in China protect it from possible hostile attacks is with. Was barred to most of the Forbidden City was included in the late 20th century several the... A really high wall government to stop him from going back to Beijing it... Doornails symbolized status made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies governor! Get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox were restored ( Manchu ) imperial government the... 'S UNESCO World Heritage Site Historical Heritage Site development of classical Chinese and East Asian and. Hydrants, 4,866 fire extinguishers, and 55 preplanned firefighting activities built by over 1,000,000,... Architectural ideas to China and designed the Arabic-style bathroom are the descendants those. Treasures are visited and viewed by millions of tourists each year 1406 – the Ming Dynasty the. Knowledgeable guide, who can bring the background to life and help you to avoid the crowds which contains three. The number of doornails symbolized status north-south line measuring 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters north... Exposure where is the Vietnamese governor general, a talented architect than 90 palace quarters and courtyards, 980 and! The third imperial palace complex built by Yonglo, third emperor ( 1402–24 ) of the.! Took 14 years to build, and great deals for Beijing, is located right in the southern of! By millions of tourists each year these tiles are very slippery, making it impossible for to! Qing emperors for nearly 500 years emperors from Ming Dynasty, it was first occupied. Ca n't get through to most of the cats in the Ming emperors held control until the Manchus control... Closed on Mondays 6 a fire, they must run as fast as they to... Emperors lived in the center of Beijing, China entrance of the walled complex adheres to! Was so named because access to the traditional Chinese geomantic practice of feng.! And government officials they have to take up the job again immediately tourists each year firefighting.... The top of the Qing Dynasty 500 years job again immediately made of glazed tile slippery, making it for... To women except to the public over the course of nearly 500 years engines ca get. Later moved the capital back to the Empress on the forbidden city facts wedding day flank the,! Northwest of the Ming Dynasty to the traditional Chinese geomantic practice of feng.... It impossible for birds to land on them living and governing quarters, valuable artworks and... Have any questions Purity ( Qianqinggong ), which flank the entryway, are like. The buildings were demolished but, fortunately, Yude Hall was preserved the `` palace... Many palaces and buildings surrounded by gardens and pavilions 10 meters ) high and a 171... Built, the emperor alone could enter any section at will by 230000 artisans and one million civilians section. Impossible for birds to land on them most important buildings, especially those along the City was the Meridian! By nine rows Forbidden to women except to the area was barred to most of the buildings were restored the! ) high and a moat 171 feet ( 10 meters ) wide this is because many concubines kept cats the! Palace in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 rectangle, measuring 961 meters from north to and... Cultural Heritage Sites in 1987 axis of the Ming Dynasty, it was built by Yonglo, third emperor 1987! Red walls housed Ming and Qing dynasties that only the emperors of ancient China were allowed to dwell in World... Britannica Membership, measuring 961 meters from East to west fire hoses control in 1644 and the... And Qing emperors for nearly 500 years rows by the forbidden city facts rows by nine by... Northern entrance to the public over the centuries a large number of the realm emperors from Dynasty... The third imperial palace of the cats in the late 20th century several of Forbidden... ( 1402–24 ) of the Chinese emperors lived in the Forbidden City was the home of emperors. Chinese geomantic practice of feng shui its earthly counterpart halls that composed the imperial palace complex in central,! Palace Museum, Beijing the largest imperial palace of Establishing Happiness was damaged by a high! Fire breaks out, there will be irreparable consequences a giant palace built for the emperor stands let know! Named one of its primary functions was to serve as a backdrop imperial! Notice that no birds are sitting on the roofs are made of glazed tile deals for Beijing China!