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The
Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace or
Palace Museum (or Gu Gong in Chinese
pronunciation), is located in the center of Beijing.
Built between 1406 and 1420, it was the imperial
residence of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing
(1368-1911) dynasties. Today it has become one of
the most important tourist attractions in Beijing.
The
Forbidden City |
The entire palace area, rectangular in shape and
720,000 square meters in size, takes up one-third of
the 8 kilometer-long central axis of Beijing’s old
city proper, from the city gate of Yongdingmen on
the south to the Drum and Bell towers on the north.
This harmonious assemblage of buildings displays the
best characteristics of Chinese architecture --
majestic style, flawless construction, and fine
coordination of the whole and the parts.
The Forbidden City is also one of UNESCO’s World
Heritage sites.
Taihe Hall (Taihe
Dian) of the Forbidden City
Related News:
Forbidden City to
open new area to visitors
2012-04-20 23:42:00 Xinhua News
BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Palace Museum in the heart of
Beijing, more popularly known as the Forbidden City, will open
its Huangji Palace to the public before the May Day holiday, the
museum said Friday.
Huangji Palace, built in 1689, was used to hold ceremonies for
emperors after they finished handling state affairs.
According to a statement of the museum, the refurbished palace
will open to the public only during major holidays, including
the May Day and the National Day holidays and summer holiday.
The Palace Museum will adjust the palace's opening hours in
accordance with weather conditions to protect the safety of its
cultural relics, the statement said.
North-Eastern Corner Tower of of the Forbidden City,
Beijing
Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum, said the opening of
Huangji Palace is part of the museum's plan to enlarge the areas
for visitors, from about 45 percent at present to 76 percent in
the future.
Huangji Palace used to be an exhibition hall where calligraphy
works, paintings and jewelry were displayed. The palace no
longer functions as a display area since undergoing renovations
in 2004. |
