Chinese Imperial Palace. Forbidden City. Hall of Ancestor Worship and Palace of Fasting

The Forbidden City in Beijing is the largest and most mysterious palace complex in the world. Home to 24 Chinese emperors for more than 500 years, the palace was closed to ordinary citizens. Anyone who dared to break this rule would face death. And despite the fact that most of the complex is open to visitors today, the history of the Forbidden City still remains a mystery.

The royal complex, comparable in scale to the Palace of Versailles in France, covers 72 hectares and consists of more than 800 buildings with 9999 rooms (the Potala Palace in Tibet has 999 rooms), with a total area of 150,000 sq.m. The city is surrounded by a ten-meter wall and a moat with water, which is called “Golden Water”. The site for construction was chosen in accordance with Feng Shui: the building is surrounded by mountains from the north, the entrance is oriented to the south, a river flows inside the city, gently bending around the palaces, which, according to Feng Shui beliefs, allows one to accumulate energy. The Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing was cut off from the rest of the city by moats and purple-red walls. Only the emperor and his entourage had the right to be here, and this part of Beijing was inaccessible to mere mortals. The Forbidden City was the center of the Chinese Empire, and in the eyes of the Chinese themselves, the center of the whole world. Rulers from the Ming and Qing dynasties lived here and ruled the country until the fall of the empire in 1911.

There is a legend that the design of the Forbidden City came in the dream of a monk who drew the designs for Prince Zhu Di at the end of the 14th century. After becoming Emperor of China, he began to realize his dream. Zhu Di built the Forbidden City in Beijing and declared it the new capital of China and the center of the universe, from where the divine emperors could rule the Celestial Empire more effectively. At the same time, he launched a second large-scale project: Taoist temples and monasteries on Mount Wudangshan. The Forbidden City took 15 years to build. According to legend, a million workers were employed, 100 million bricks, 200 million tiles and an untold amount of marble were used. The complex was completed in 1421. It was then that Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty moved his capital from Nanjing to Beijing. With enormous efforts, palace buildings were built that corresponded to the greatness of the imperial power. In 1644, when the Ming Dynasty was overthrown by the Manchus, the city was sacked. But the Manchu rulers, who came to power under the name of the Qing dynasty, restored it to its former splendor. New temples and palaces were erected, ponds were dug, and gardens of incredible beauty were laid out. By the 18th century, the city approached the zenith of its splendor.

The territory of the Forbidden City is a square in plan. The city lies on the so-called Beijing axis (from north to south) and is surrounded by wide moats and walls 10.4 meters high. Behind them are symmetrically located palaces, gates, courtyards, streams and gardens. The closed palace housed the royal families and servants, consisting of thousands of eunuchs and concubines. Entering the city without permission meant death for the offender, and the punishment was slow and painful. Despite this, many curious people wanted to see what was happening inside. Some received this opportunity in 1644. Emperor Ming lived in luxury when new taxation literally starved the population. An uprising broke out and broke into the Forbidden City. The Ming Emperor is said to have been in a drunken stupor when the rebels arrived. To protect his harem from desecration, he killed all the women and cut off his daughter's hand. Then he hanged himself, thereby opening the way for the Qing Dynasty. Tradition says that the emperor placed a curse on the Qing family: “The Qing house will fall by the hand of a woman.” However, in 1644, the Qing Dynasty settled in the Forbidden City and its secrets became even more intriguing. The eunuchs of the palace, of whom there were about three thousand, began to prepare their own conspiracies and recruited spies from the concubines. There are many scandalous stories about this, in which it is impossible to distinguish fact from fiction when describing the Forbidden City.

In 1853, a seventeen-year-old girl, Cixi, was brought to the palace as a concubine. Over time, she became the most powerful woman in Chinese history and is widely believed to have led to the destruction of not only the Qing Dynasty, but Imperial China as a whole. Cixi broke tradition and became empress dowager. She ruled the country until her two-year-old nephew Pu-Yi succeeded her. Pu-Yi was the last owner of the Forbidden City in Beijing. In 1912, at the age of five, he abdicated the throne, but was allowed to remain in the palace.

A major fire in 1923 destroyed the city's warehouses. Many believe that it was set on fire by eunuchs to hide thefts from the royal treasuries. In 1925, Pu-yi, the last twenty-fourth emperor of China, left the Forbidden City. Twenty-four years later, the complex was opened to the public.

The main entrance to the Forbidden City is on the south side through the Midday Gate. The entire complex is divided into the Inner and Outer Palaces. The main premises of the Outer Palace, where the emperor held state events and ceremonies: the halls of Supreme Harmony, Complete Harmony and Preservation of Harmony. The northern part, the Inner Palace, was occupied by the emperors' families and concubines. Here are the halls of Heavenly Purity, Peace Unification and Earthly Tranquility. They are surrounded by three imperial gardens: Longevity, Kindness and Tranquility. Behind them is the elegant Imperial Garden with gazebos and picturesque rock formations. The entire city is divided by an eight-kilometer central axis. In the center of this axis is the Throne, symbolizing imperial power. The imperial throne in the Palace of Supreme Harmony, intended for special occasions.

In the Forbidden City there are only 9,000 rooms in which the emperor and the women around him (mother, wives, concubines), as well as countless servants and eunuchs lived. Life at court was subject to the strictest rules of etiquette. The Forbidden City was something like a cage where, isolated from reality, the emperor lived with his entourage.

The facades of all main buildings face south. Thus, the Forbidden City turned its back on all the hostile forces of the north, on the cold winds from Siberia. The main entrance is also on the south side. It is called Wumen (midday gate), where the emperor inspected his troops. Behind the gate is a courtyard, which is crossed by a small Golden River. Five marble bridges are thrown across it, symbolizing the five virtues and leading to the Gate of Supreme Harmony. Behind them is another large courtyard. It is so big that 20,000 people can fit there. On its opposite side, on a high marble terrace, rises the most significant building of the Forbidden City - the Palace of Supreme Harmony.

In this palace, on especially solemn days for the state, the emperor sat on the throne. While the bells were ringing, he was surrounded by waves of incense from managers, dignitaries and nobles.

The palace, now a museum, contains about a million precious historical relics from China's ancient dynasties and is listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site. In Beijing, you can visit the Palace of Peace and Harmony, also known as Yonghegong Monastery or Lama Temple. The most popular temple in Beijing is undoubtedly the Temple of Heaven - the pinnacle of China's cosmic quartet: the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon and the Temple of the Earth.

Forbidden City, video:

The Forbidden City is located in the center of Beijing. Open daily from 08.30 to 17.00, admission costs 40 yuan in winter and 60 yuan in summer.

The gate has five doors - three in the center and two doors on the sides. The side doors were used by maintenance personnel and are now closed. Of the three central doors, the right one was used by officials, the left by members of the imperial family, and only the emperor himself could pass through the central large door, but there were two exceptions.

The first exception was made only for the empress and only once - on her wedding day. The second exception was made once every few years for the winners of the imperial examination. We recommend that tourists go through the central door. Feel like an emperor.

Tourists should pay attention to the rivets on the doors. In total there are 9 rows of rivets and 9 columns (you can count it yourself in the photo in the gallery on the right). 9 is the emperor's lucky number, and you will see him constantly in the Forbidden City.

The Midday Gate is stunning in its size - it is 35 meters high, which is equivalent to an 11-story building. At the top there are 5 towers called “Phoenix Towers”. The whole structure really resembles this mythical bird.

The main bells and drums of Beijing were installed at the edges of the central tower. Bells rang every year, announcing the departure of the emperor to the Temple of Ancestors, and drums beat when the emperor departed for the Temple of Ancestors. During the most important ceremonies, bells and drums sounded simultaneously, announcing the coronation or wedding of the emperor.

The noon gate was a place of “communication” between power and peace. Here new laws were officially declared, the emperor greeted his subjects on holidays, hosted parades and looked at the punishments of guilty officials.

Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihimen) (2)

After the Midday Gate you will come to a large square - the Outer Court of the Forbidden City. There is a water canal called the Inner Golden River, with five bridges across it. The rules for passing through these bridges were completely similar to the rules for the doors in the Midday Gate.

This channel had several functions. The first is a source of water in case of fire, the second is a natural barrier for attackers in the event of an attack on the Forbidden City. Tourists should pay attention to the balustrades of the bridges, decorated with figures of dragons and phoenixes - symbols of the emperor.

Another interesting point in this square that is worth paying attention to are the bricks of the pavement. These bricks are made using a special technology; they produce a pleasant ringing sound when you step on them. This property of covering an area has almost disappeared, but in some places this sound can still be heard.

The main attraction of the square is two giant bronze lions. The right lion holds a sphere under its paw, symbolizing the power of the emperor, which extends to the whole world. The left lioness holds a lion cub under her paw, symbolizing the well-being and fertility of the imperial family. The Chinese believe that such lions protect the house from evil spirits and attract good ones. Naturally, these lions are the largest in China.

Behind the lions is the Gate of Supreme Harmony itself. The name “gate” is a convention; in fact, it is a real pavilion. It was used in all cases when someone was not allowed to continue, but a meeting with the emperor was necessary. For example, receptions of foreign ambassadors or the imperial court.

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihidian) (3)

Once you pass through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will enter the largest square in the Forbidden City - 30,000 square meters. Behind it rises the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the main building of the Forbidden City.

This is the “heart” of the Forbidden City. It was here that the emperor received officials and generals, and all the most important ceremonies and celebrations were held here. The hall is located on a marble base in three tiers. Two large staircases lead upstairs. In the center there is a marble slab weighing 250 tons, which we have already described above, decorated with bas-reliefs of phoenixes and dragons.

The height of the building is 37.5 meters, and for a long time the Hall of Supreme Harmony was the tallest building in Beijing. The law prohibited the construction of buildings above it. When you look at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the thought does not even occur to you that this building is the height of a 12-story building.

Traditional Chinese architecture has never strived for gigantism. Harmony of size, shape and content was the main goal of ancient Chinese architects. And, to be honest, they did it great.

Some websites on the Internet write that the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest wooden building in the world. Of course this is not true. The Odate Jukai Dome Stadium in Japan is 52 meters high and covers an area of 25,000 square meters. Compared to it, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is small.

Even in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, tourists will see a lot of interesting things. Pay attention to the huge water vats - another fire safety measure. The main sundial in the Forbidden City is also located here. Also here you can see very interesting stone columns, similar to lanterns, which served as a repository for standards of weights and measures.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is 64 meters wide and 37.2 meters deep, with an area of 2381 square meters. The roof is supported by 72 columns - 6 rows of 9 pieces. Note that the number 9 is also used here - a symbol of imperial power.

Inside is the main imperial throne. It is called the Throne of Supreme Harmony. It can be difficult for tourists to see it because it is dark inside. In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, more than four doors are rarely opened, and there is not enough light. The central door is opened very rarely, and you have to look at the throne at an angle. In addition, from this angle the throne is blocked by columns. In the photo on the right you can see how sad it looks.

There are a lot of people who want to see the throne, and you still need to “break through” to the open doors. On weekdays this is quite possible, but on a weekend it is an epic feat. Hence the conclusion: do not go to the Forbidden City on weekends and holidays. On weekends in Beijing, it is better to go to the markets or or walk around the shopping centers of the area. Cultural attractions are always crowded with visitors these days.

In addition to the throne, inside you can see six gilded columns decorated with bas-reliefs of dragons. These columns can be seen a little better (see photo on the right). On the roof directly above the throne is a large golden dragon playing with a pearl. There is a legend that if someone usurps the throne, this pearl will fall on him and crush him to death. This dragon is very difficult for tourists to see, and even more difficult to photograph.

Hall of Central Harmony (Jonghedian) (4)

This is a small building with a pyramid-shaped roof. This hall served for the emperor to rest and change clothes before ceremonies. There is also a throne inside, but it is much more modest than the Throne of Supreme Harmony. The hall was often used as a place for conversations between the emperor and his close ministers and generals.

The inscriptions near the throne read: “The path of Heaven is deep and mysterious, but the path of humanity is difficult. Only if you draw up an accurate and unified plan and follow it, you can rule the country well.” These words were left here by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. He knew what he was talking about, because he ruled the country for 60 years.

Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohedian) (5)

This is the last building of the “outer palace” - the working part of the Forbidden City. After it you will find yourself in the “inner palace” - the residence of the emperor and his family.

The Hall of Preserved Harmony had many functions. During the Qing Dynasty, it most often served as a banquet hall. During the Ming era, it served as a place for the empress and princes to prepare for ceremonies.

In appearance, it is similar to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, but smaller in size. There is also an imperial throne inside, and also of a smaller size.

All these three halls stand on a single base of three tiers. If it rains during your visit to the Forbidden City, don’t be upset right away. This is a good opportunity to look at the amazing drainage system. Tourists notice stone dragon heads at the base, and it seems that these are just decoration, but these are the outlets of pipes that lead water down. There are a total of 1412 of these dragon heads.

For almost 500 years, the Forbidden City was the heart of China. Emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) lived there. It is located north of Tiananmen Square, from which it is separated by the Tiananmen Gate, and east of Zhongnanhai Lake, where the residences of modern Chinese leaders are located, also known as the “Lake District”. There are watchtowers at each of the four corners of the wall, which are visible far beyond Beijing. You can get to the Forbidden City through one of the four gates that are located on each side of the wall.

When the Yongle Emperor (1360-1424) began construction of the Forbidden City in 1406, he wanted to create a “state within a state,” an “inland empire” that would not be dependent on Beijing in any way. It was an impressive, powerful fortress that became the center of the emperor's power. Here he was completely safe from external and internal enemies, from here he could rule his country. No one had the right to enter the city, and once entered, no one could leave. The city was divided into two parts - the Inner Palace, intended for the emperor and his family, and the Outer Palace, which served for ceremonial purposes, in which numerous servants and other residents who did not belong to the imperial family lived. This guaranteed the self-sufficiency of the city, which even had its own markets and schools.

The inner palace was intended exclusively for the emperor, his family members and the highest officials of the country. To occupy such a high position, an official had to spend many years studying and pass difficult exams. Although the residents of the Inner Palace could lead a full life - shops and markets were open, children went to school - members of the imperial family led an extremely isolated life. Only the emperor and senior officials had constant contact with the outside world. Each member of the emperor's family was under constant surveillance by eunuchs and servants. Naturally, there could be no talk of any personal life in such conditions. The emperor and his relatives had numerous obligations to the state and the people, which is why their life was filled with numerous ceremonies and was regulated by ancient customs and traditions. This way of life existed for many centuries until the monarchy was abolished in China in 1912.

After the Xinhai Revolution of 1912, the Forbidden City lost its function as the political center of the country. The last Chinese emperor Pu Yi, who was only 6 years old, lost power and had to remain within the walls of the city. In 1924, the new Chinese government expelled Pu Yi from the capital and turned the Forbidden City into a museum. Today, the most common name for the city in China is “Gugong” - a former palace.

After the fall of the monarchy, troubled times came for the Forbidden City. During the Civil War and World War II, many artifacts and works of art were stolen or destroyed. Many items were transported to Taiwan, where they were exhibited in the Imperial Palace Museum in Taipei, which was created specially for this purpose. The walls and buildings of the Forbidden City were also damaged, becoming targets for the rebels and the Japanese army. However, the greatest damage to the city was caused during the years of the Cultural Revolution, and only the efforts of the Premier of the People's Republic of China Zhou Enlai, who organized the defense of the Forbidden City from the Red Guard, saved this unique complex from complete looting. Only after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, calm times came for this historical monument and its full functioning began as a museum for the Chinese people and guests of Beijing.

In the West, the Forbidden City became widely known after the release of Bernardo Bertolucci's film “The Last Emperor,” based on the biography of Pu Yi. Bertolucci became the first Western director who was allowed to film on the territory of the complex. The film perfectly showed the internal structure and life of the Forbidden City, and also became a symbol of the significant warming of relations between China and the Western world.

It is noteworthy that despite the fact that the Forbidden City is open to visitors, tourists are not allowed into the interior of the buildings. Their sizes, such as the size of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, are too small to accommodate those who wish to participate. Therefore, the Chinese authorities decided to leave the doors and windows of the buildings open, so that anyone can look inside and enjoy the beauty of the decoration and furniture.

The Forbidden City certainly deserves to be called one of the most beautiful places in China. Everything here breathes with antiquity, rich history, which you can feel as soon as you set foot on its territory. The architecture is stunning and impressive, and the paintings of the palaces and halls are colorful and detailed. This place is a must-visit for anyone interested in Chinese history and who appreciates authentic ancient beauty.

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The Forbidden City of Gugong is the largest and most famous palace complex in the world, located in Beijing. It served as the residence of twenty-four powerful rulers of two dynasties of the Celestial Empire - Ming and Qing.

The place for its construction was determined by astronomers and, in their opinion, it is located exactly in the center of the globe.

Today, when heading to the Forbidden City, you need to go through only three gates: Tiananmen, Duanmen and, finally, the main gate of the palace - Wumen. In earlier times, for foreign ambassadors and officials, the path to the palace was longer: they passed through five gates.

All the decoration and design of the Forbidden City is permeated with philosophical and religious ideas and principles of China, including the fact that the emperor, despite all his greatness, must be fair and wise.

A little history

The construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406. The emperor who gave instructions for its construction was Zhu Di. There is a legend that one of the monks dreamed about the project of the Forbidden City, and he told about it to the prince, who later became the emperor.

The main material used for the construction of the palace is wood, as well as brick, marble, and tiles. Almost all the buildings inside the complex are one-story, and the massive roofs rest on powerful columns; this design is the most resistant to earthquakes. The facades of all the main buildings face the south - thereby the Forbidden City turned its back on all the hostile forces of the north. The main entrance is also on the south side.

Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is not just a pretty name, it is also a statement of fact. Ordinary people did not have access here. The family of the ruling emperor and their numerous servants lived in a closed palace. It was forbidden to enter the city without permission under pain of slow and painful execution - although the most curious were sometimes not frightened even by this. However, it was not only curiosity that forced people to enter the Forbidden City; for example, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty was driven to suicide by residents who broke into the palace and were angry about exorbitant taxes and hunger.

According to legend, the Qing family, the last ruling dynasty in the Forbidden City, was cursed - the Qing house would fall at the hands of a woman. In general, this is what happened. The former concubine Cixi ruled China after the death of her husband, until her nephew, two-year-old Pu Yi, became her successor. The Kid became the last emperor and owner of the Forbidden City. In 1912, at the age of five, he abdicated the throne, but remained to live in the palace.

Currently, the Forbidden City no longer contains the residence of rulers; now it is the Imperial Museum “Gugun”, which anyone can visit.

According to legend, there are ten thousand rooms in the palace of the Heavenly Emperor. The Palace of the Son of Heaven, as the emperors of China called themselves, should be at least a little more modest so as not to overshadow the Heavenly Ruler. So it occupies an area of 72 hectares, on which there are about eight hundred buildings and a total of only 9,999 rooms.

In reality, of course, there are fewer of them there - obviously, the Chinese’s love for the number nine simply seemed to be there.

The city is surrounded by a high wall and a moat filled with water - the Jinshuihe (Golden River) Canal. Several bridges were thrown across the moat - the central two were intended only for members of the imperial family, the next ones - for senior military and civil officials, and the outermost ones were called public and any inhabitant of the Forbidden City could cross them, regardless of his rank and origin.

There are many beautiful and elegant buildings on the territory of the Forbidden City. Pavilions, gazebos, galleries, as well as lakes, rivers, gardens. And their names, as a rule, are in no way inferior in elegance to their appearance - for example, the Pavilion of the Contact of Heaven and Earth, the Gate of Heavenly Purity or the Gazebo, from where the arrival of spring is visible.

The Forbidden City was rebuilt several times after fires, destruction and robberies. However, they tried to reproduce its appearance with maximum accuracy, so what we can see there now is not too different from the original appearance of the palace.

The collection of valuable exhibits is replenished year after year and has already reached a million. The main part of the exhibition consists of paintings, books, bronze items, imperial clothes and jewelry, made with amazing skill.

The Forbidden City is divided by a central axis, eight kilometers long. In the center stands the Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) pavilion, whose height reaches almost forty meters. For many centuries, it remained the tallest building in Beijing, because during the empire it was not allowed to erect buildings higher than it - the ban did not apply only to temples. In the center of the pavilion is a Throne, a symbol of the emperor’s power on earth.

Practical information

Address: 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng, Beijing.

The museum is open from 01.04 to 31.10 - from 08:30 to 17:00; from 01.11 to 31.03 - from 08:30 to 16:30.

Entrance fee for adults: from April 1 to October 31 - 60 CNY, on other days - 40 CNY. Discounts are provided for children, students and schoolchildren, and pensioners. Bank cards of major international payment systems are accepted for payment.

The Forbidden City in Beijing is the largest and most mysterious. Home to 24 Chinese emperors for more than 500 years, the palace was closed to ordinary citizens. Anyone who dared to break this rule would face death. And despite the fact that most of the complex is open to visitors today, the history of the Forbidden City still remains a mystery.

Myths and facts

The Forbidden City took 15 years to build. According to legend, a million workers were employed, 100 million bricks, 200 million tiles and an untold amount of marble were used. The complex was completed in 1421.

The closed palace housed the royal families and servants, consisting of thousands of eunuchs and concubines. Entering the city without permission meant death for the offender, and the punishment was slow and painful. Despite this, many curious people wanted to see what was happening inside.

Some received this opportunity in 1644. Emperor Ming lived in luxury when new taxation literally starved the population. An uprising broke out and broke into the Forbidden City. The Ming Emperor is said to have been in a drunken stupor when the rebels arrived. To protect his harem from desecration, he killed all the women and cut off his daughter's hand. Then he hanged himself, thereby opening the way for the Qing Dynasty.

Tradition says that the emperor placed a curse on the Qing family: “The Qing house will fall by the hand of a woman.” However, in 1644, the Qing Dynasty settled in the Forbidden City and its secrets became even more intriguing. The eunuchs of the palace, of whom there were about three thousand, began to prepare their own conspiracies and recruited spies from the concubines. There are many scandalous stories about this, in which it is impossible to distinguish fact from fiction when describing the Forbidden City.

In 1853, a seventeen-year-old girl, Cixi, was brought to the palace as a concubine. Over time, she became the most powerful woman in the country and many believe that she led to the destruction of not only the Qing Dynasty, but Imperial China as a whole. Cixi broke tradition and became empress dowager. She ruled the country until her two-year-old nephew Pu-Yi succeeded her. Pu-Yi was the last owner of the Forbidden City in Beijing. In 1912, at the age of five, he abdicated the throne, but was allowed to remain in the palace.