Beijing’s Forbidden City Is Rich In Chinese History

China, once dubbed as the Sleeping Dragon of Asia, has recently opened its doors to the world. A rich Chinese history is unfolding itself to the world.

The Forbidden City, along with the Great Wall of China, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Beijing. During the afternoon breeze, one can see the distinct beauty of the Forbidden City from afar. Its golden roof and bright red walls magnificently reflect the symbol of China’s longstanding power and grandeur.

Beijing, as a growing social and economic power, has a number of hotels to accommodate its guest and visitors who are enthusiastic about Asian culture and dining. There are also a good number of hotels in Beijing that are situated near these destination sites, making it easier for tourist to make good use of their time while enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.

Visiting China’s Forbidden City is an amazing experience for most people, whether they are Chinese or not. Schedule your tour on a weekday rather than on the weekends to avoid crowds. It is also best if to take a tour guide with you since they can accurately explain the salient details of the structure and design of the palace. But if you plan to go the extra mile, buying a helpful guidebook from a coffee shop or from your hotel lobby.

Being the largest palace in the world, the Forbidden City, locally known as Gugong or Zinjincheng, has an area of 720,000 square meters of land or approximately 0.3 square miles. The palace has only four gates which opens the palace to the outside world. Located at the southern part of the entire fortress, the Tiananmen Gate serves as the main entrance.

After entering the main gate, there will be another gate, the Meridian or Interior Gate, that will lead you to the midst of the complex. Beyond this interior gate, is a colossal plaza that leads to the Gate of Supreme Harmony.

The two divisions of the Imperial Court of Harmony are the Inner Court, which serves as the quarters of the existing members of the royal family, and the Outer Court that holds the largest wooden structure of China, the Supreme Harmony Hall.

In ancient times, the Hall of Supreme Harmony played a vital role in molding the rich culture and tradition of the Chinese people. This hall became a witness of China’s most important historic gathering like enthroning a king and celebrating marriages from the royal family.

The hall is surrounded with a lot of symbols, and one of the most distinct symbols that will surely get your attention is the dragon. Dragons are mystical creatures that are said to be symbols of imperial power and supremacy. Beyond this hall lies another important structure, The Midway Hall of Harmony. This hall is where the emperor shows himself to the public to discuss matters that are relevant to his rule.

Another hall that houses the emperor and his eunuch and concubines is the Hall of Heavenly Purity. The eunuchs are political advisers to the royal family. Their testicles were cut off to ensure the emperor that his position as king will never be threatened. During the Ming Dynasty, the Hall of Heavenly Purity became exclusive only to the emperor. The Empress, separated by the Hall of Union, lived in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

Finally we go to the Imperial Gardens. Home to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity and the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Imperial Garden houses the most number of staggering artifacts and relics that are both astonishing and alluring, even the landscape itself captures China’s unique taste and passion for excellence.

No doubt, China, its people and its culture has proven in many ways their active participation and exceptional part in the world’s history. Today, being the pioneer of the world’s most life changing technologies and inventions, China is encouraging foreigners and locals to experience a unique and more exciting of scenes in the city. From the Hotels in Beijing to the Forbidden City Courtyards, the marvelous blend of culture, history and technology, will surely bring a new flavor to the table, a person should never miss this once in a lifetime experience

E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works with the Sariz International Beijing Hotel and many other hotels in Beijing.