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/