The Forbidden City is an immense palace complex located in the heart of Beijing, China. This attraction was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1420 and is considered one of the greatest architectural feats in the world. It is surrounded by moats and a high wall that stretches over 9,000 square feet.
Originally, this complex was used to house emperors and their large retinues. According to measurements, 8,707 structures were built in the Forbidden City. The entire complex is made up of 99 courtyards and measures 960 metres long, and 750 metres wide. The walls of the Forbidden City are 7.9 metres high and were built with a unique blend of yellow and green glazed tiles.
As you walk through the attractions, you will notice its many palaces and gardens that are surrounded by amazing galleries and halls. Visitors can also explore stunning temples and even a luxurious lake. For example, Qiao’s lake is where people can enjoy a beautiful view of the Forbidden City.
Forbidden City is an icon for the Chinese culture. Due to its vast size, people have difficulty trying to fully understand the depth that this place has to offer. According to experts, the Forbidden City allows visitors to have a first-hand view of what life was like for ancient China rulers. Experts argue that the Forbidden City not only serves as a living document to Chinese culture, but it is also a vivid legacy of its imperial past.
For centuries, the Forbidden City has been respected as a holy place and has been well preserved by aged scholars, navigators and historians. In 1990, the Forbidden City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, in recognition of its special historical and cultural value.
The Forbidden City offers multiple areas to explore, such as the Palace of Heavenly Purity or the Hall of Magnificence. These two grand attractions were both used by emperors in ancient times as places to receive royal visitors.
Although there is an air of mystery leaving you in awe, some visitors feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Forbidden City. It is a popular spot for tourists from all over the world and is often regarded as one of the best places to visit in Beijing.
Gardens of the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City houses over 77 gardens and its most famous attraction is the Imperial Garden. It is enclosed by galleries and five-story pavilions and located on the central axis of the City. The Imperial Garden is also a popular place for photographers and tourists due to its classic design and aesthetic beauty.
The garden is divided into four quarters, with an array of flowers, plants, and trees encapsulating them. The Eastern Quarter boasts of a pair of stone dragons playing with pearls, that represent the power of the emperor, while the Western Quarter is decorated with a rockery and two lion sculptures, both symbols of the emperors power. The Southern Quarter is also adorned with exotic plants and intricate fountains. The Northern Quarter serves as a spiritual sanctuary and is the most sacred corner of the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden is exquisitely decorated with sculptures, pools, and complex structures; it gave emperors a place of refuge to take in its serene beauty. Furthermore, the gardens were a designation for festivals and a location for courtiers to present gifts and conduct conversations.
The overall layout of the gardens are attributed to the Chinese belief that an ideal way of living is to find harmony between heaven and earth. The views, smells and sounds that accompany the garden are all part of the spiritual journey.
The Forbidden City Today
The Forbidden City still stands and remains a world-renowned attraction. Today, the City serves as a museum that is open to the public with staff who are knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions.
When it comes to history and culture, the Forbidden City offers gifts shops, ticketing offices, souvenirs, and delightful tea houses with delicious traditional Chinese cuisine.
With proper education and awareness, more and more people are starting to understand the significance of the Forbidden City. Many aspects of the City, from its overwhelming architecture to its vibrant gardens have been a testament to the ancient Chinese culture and remind us of its past splendor.
The Forbidden City remains a popular destination for tourists today and over 14 million people visited it as of 2019. Major tourist attractions such as the Imperial Garden, Tian An Men Gate, and the Olympic Stadium stand in close proximity to the City.
Impact of Tourism
The Forbidden City is taking safety measures to ensure its longevity. Crowds of people visiting has had a greater impact on the museum, leading to the development of conservatories and preservation authorities to help sustain and protect the City. Internationally acclaimed exhibitions have helped raise awareness and fund programs to help the City’s preservation.
In addition, the Forbidden City has numerous security checkpoints and restricts the number of people that can enter per day. This measure helps optimize the balance between preserving the City and allowing people to experience its beauty. Moreover, the museum has in-depth guidelines on what visitors can and cannot do while in the City, helping to protect its value and importance.
The Forbidden City encourages sustainable tourism, which is a type of tourism emphasizing the protection of the environment and preserving cultural integrity. This aids in conserving the City by fostering environmental and social values to locals and tourists alike. Sustainable tourism initiatives help ensure that the Forbidden City can be experienced by generations to come.
Conservation Efforts
Although preservation and protection efforts have drastically improved in recent years, the amount of people visiting the Forbidden City has caused irreversible damages such as foot traffic erosion, global warming and air pollution. As a result, steps to improve the City’s conservation have been accelerated and yet more creative methods of preserving the City are being put in place.
These methods include projects such as air quality monitoring, the implementation of sustainability standards, with a focus on materials and energy used, and maintenance of the existing gardens. Additionally, the government has encouraged the integration of digital technologies to help clean the City and make it more visitor friendly.
The Forbidden City has employed over 200 planning, engineering and conservation experts to help maintain the City’s ancient treasures. The experts are constantly on the lookout for threats to the City’s preservation, while providing translations and reliable information to tourists and visitors.
In addition, the City also runs volunteer programs to help preserve its main sites by teaching visitors how to properly care for certain artifacts and how to avoid damaging the City’s structures.
Conclusion
The Forbidden City is an incredible feat of engineering and ancient Chinese culture. Its expansive size has made it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Beijing and its preservation efforts have made sure that it’s been around for centuries. Visitors from all over the world come to marvel at the Forbidden City’s grandeur, a testament to its grandeur and design.
From its intricate gardens to its countless palaces, the Forbidden City serves as an important learning landmark for locals and tourists. As conservation efforts increase its importance in the world, the Forbidden City is sure to remain one of the greatest attractions Chinese culture has to offer.
