Visit the Forbidden City

China has one of the most beautiful, but formidable palaces in the world. Located in Gu Gong, which is Beijing to the rest of the world, the Forbidden City is found. It is now no longer just a palace, but a beautiful museum. Quite close and to the north of Tiananmen Square, this city is rectangular in shape and is considered to be the world’s largest palace complex with an incredible 9,999 rooms.

Construction of the Forbidden City began in 1407 during the fifth year of the Yongle reign. This was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. While the palace is incredibly large, construction only took about 14 years to complete. However, it should be noted that it required a workforce of one million workers. While much of the construction was hard labor, this city’s beauty was created by an estimated 100K artisans that worked on the project.

Today, this beautiful museum-palace is open to tourists. What was once forbidden to practically all Chinese is now open not only to Chinese citizens, but to foreign tourists as well. A wide variety of tours are available and the ability to see the incredible splendor this palace offers is finally a wonderful reality. To learn more about the Forbidden City, the Smithsonian Magazine has put together an extremely interesting and in-depth article on the subject. Please visit us today by clicking on the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Daredevil, Forbidden City, National Archives, Cleopatra

China's Magnificent Forbidden City

China has been getting lots of press in the West lately with the upcoming summer Olympics and their thriving economy. While China might be looked upon several decades ago as a sleeping giant, today, it is once again thriving. China has some of the richest culture, civilization and history the world has ever seen and one of the most interesting aspects of its culture still stands today: The Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City, built by more than one million men in less than 15 years in the 15th century is one of the most impressive landmarks in the world. The Forbidden City (called Forbidden due to the fact that no one could leave or enter the palace without the permission of the emperor) was once the seat for the emperor in Beijing.

Today, it is open for all to see and many visitors will be taking advantage of this incredible landmark this summer during the Olympics. With 178 sprawling acres of ground and a presumed 9,999 rooms, the Forbidden City is unequaled in the world.

For those interested in Chinese art, history and culture, the Forbidden City should not be missed. You don’t have to fly half way around the world to see this treasure, Smithsonian Magazine has an in depth article regarding the Forbidden City that offers insights that will arouse your curiosity. For those interested in the Forbidden City, visit us at Smithsonian Magazine: http://www.smithsonianmag.com

forbidden city, tattoo art, Cleopatra

China's Forbidden City

The Forbidden City (called “Forbidden” because nobody could leave or enter the palace without permission from the emperor) was once a teeming palace, later a museum closed off to foreigners, and is now a historical landmark thrown wide open for the 2008 Olympic games. The world’s largest palace complex currently surviving today, the Forbidden City is now one of the first stops of any visitor to Beijing.

During the 15th century, the Forbidden City was built by the hands of more than a million men in less than 15 years. With 178 acres of ground, a presumed 9,999 rooms, and a million pieces of precious art, the Forbidden City was the perfect seat for the ruling Ming Dynasty, who ruled from 1420 to 1644. Since its completion in 1420, twenty-four Chinese emperors have called the Forbidden City home. Up until 1912, this was the world’s most celebrated command center.

While most of the Forbidden City was closed to visitors thirty years ago, today this amazing landmark is a World Heritage Site, and one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. Just passing through the Meridian Gate and into the palace grounds inspires awe in any visitor. Even the grounds themselves are breathtaking. With a giant plaza or square crossed by white bridges and blooming with flowers in spring, the gardens and plazas of The Forbidden City are breath-taking in their beauty. Still, in a place this ancient there are improvements to be made, and with help from experts from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, a major renovation of the palace gardens will be completed in 2016.

Above the main plaza of the Forbidden City is the tallest building in the palace complex, the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Built in the 15th century, this hall is where all of the most important ceremonies took place. It’s also home to the famous Nine Dragon Screen, which was built in 1771. The tile-decorated Nine Dragon Screen features nine imperial dragons against a background of clouds and water. It’s one of the most famous features of the Forbidden City.

To give visitors a true feel for the Chinese Imperial history and culture, one of the most important areas of the Forbidden City is the Palace Museum. The museum contains an impressive collection of artwork, including rare paintings commissioned by Chinese emperors as well as ceramics, porcelain pieces, and bronze ware.

Like China itself, the Forbidden City was once closed to visitors. Today, however, the doors of the Forbidden City and China’s rich imperial history are open to all. To learn more about the history of China’s glorious Forbidden City, visit the Smithsonian Magazine website today at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/