China’s “Forbidden City” is the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in existence today. The Forbidden City covers an area of over 720,000 square meters and houses more than 9,000 palace rooms.
The Forbidden City was also known as the “Purple Forbidden City” because it was originally the residence of the imperial family. It was called a “Forbidden City,” and because ancient Chinese emperors claimed to be the “Son of Heaven” ordained by the heavens, there was a saying that “in heaven there is the Purple Palace, where the God resides,” so the name “Purple Forbidden City” has a rich connotation of ancient Chinese culture.
The Forbidden City has undergone more than 600 years of vicissitudes. Today, it has become a palace that showcases the essence of ancient Chinese palace architecture, a vast treasure trove that houses the precious treasures of the Ming and Qing imperial families, and a vivid archive that records the history of the Ming and Qing palace courts…
Friendly reminder: After purchasing tickets, you can store your luggage for free at the Meridian Gate and retrieve it at the Gate of Divine Prowess; additionally, the Forbidden City does not have manual ticket windows, and tickets can only be purchased online in advance. The opening hours are 8:30-16:10. The museum is closed every Monday. You can obtain a map at the service center, get hot water, and find USB charging ports for mobile phones.
Tour Overview: ①Meridian Gate → ②Hall of Military Eminence → ③Hall of Literary Glory (Painting and Calligraphy Gallery) → ④Gate of Supreme Harmony → ⑤Hall of Supreme Harmony → ⑥Hall of Central Harmony → ⑦Hall of Preserving Harmony → ⑧Palace of Heavenly Purity → ⑨Hall of Union and Peace → ⑩Palace of Earthly Tranquility → ⑪Hall of Mental Cultivation → ⑫Six Western Palaces → ⑬Imperial Garden → ⑭Six Eastern Palaces → ⑮Hall of Ancestral Worship (Clock and Watch Gallery) → ⑯Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Treasure Gallery) → ⑰Gate of Divine Prowess
The one-day tour route covers almost all the important palaces and exhibition halls in the open areas of the Palace Museum. However, please pay attention to making good use of your time and choose the exhibition contents that interest you. If you linger everywhere, even a day may not be enough to see all the sights.
Meridian Gate
During the Ming Dynasty, if an official offended the imperial dignity, he would be charged with the crime of “reverse scales” and tied to the east side of the imperial road in front of the Meridian Gate to be spanked, which was called “court caning.” Initially, it was only a symbolic punishment, but later it developed into beating people to death. In the 14th year of the Zhengde Emperor (1519), when Emperor Zhu Houzhao wanted to go to Jiangnan to select beautiful women, the officials submitted a memorial to dissuade him, and the emperor became furious. 130 officials, including Shu Fen and Huang Gong, were subjected to court caning, and 11 of them were beaten to death on the spot.
The famous Neo-Confucian philosopher Wang Yangming was also subjected to court caning here for criticizing the powerful eunuch Liu Jin of the time. In addition, after Emperor Zhu Houcong of the Ming Dynasty inherited the throne, he wanted to posthumously confer the title of emperor on his biological father, Prince Xingxian, which was opposed by the officials. More than 100 officials cried and remonstrated at the Zuoshun Gate, and the emperor ordered them to be punished with court caning, resulting in 17 deaths on the spot. Therefore, there was a popular saying of “beheading at the Meridian Gate” among the people.
In fact, the execution of criminals in front of the gates of the Ming and Qing imperial palaces was extremely strict, and beheading definitely did not take place here. Instead, the criminals had to be escorted to execution grounds such as Chaishi (now Xisi) or Caishi.
Hall of Military Eminence
The Hall of Military Eminence is located west of the Xihe Gate in the outer court of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is a national 5A-level scenic spot and currently houses the Library and Painting and Calligraphy Gallery of the Palace Museum. It is a group of palace buildings first constructed during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty.
The Hall of Military Eminence is located west of the Xihe Gate in the outer court of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The main hall, the Hall of Military Eminence, faces south, with a width of 5 bays and a depth of 3 bays, and has a hipped roof with yellow glazed tiles. The sumeru platform is surrounded by white marble railings, and there is a moon terrace in front, with a covered walkway leading directly to the Gate of Military Eminence.
The rear hall, the Hall of Respectful Thought, has a similar structure to the Hall of Military Eminence, and the front and rear halls are connected by a corridor. The east and west side halls are the Hall of Concentrated Righteousness and the Hall of Glorious Chapters, respectively, with a total of 63 rooms on both sides. In the northeast corner of the courtyard is the Hall of Eternal Longevity, and in the northwest corner is the Hall of Bathing in Virtue. The Hall of Military Eminence corresponds to the Hall of Literary Glory located in the east of the outer court, representing the balance between civil and military affairs.
Hall of Literary Glory
Painting and Calligraphy Gallery
The Hall of Literary Glory was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. Initially, it was the place where the crown prince handled political affairs, and later it was transformed into a ceramics gallery. The gallery is divided into several exhibition areas, including the Dawn of Civilization, Tracing the Origins of Porcelain, the Uniqueness of Celadon, Southern Celadon and Northern White Porcelain, the Emergence of Famous Kilns, and Elegant Freshness, arranged in chronological order.
More than 400 precious ceramic pieces are on display, including pottery from the late Neolithic period, famille rose porcelain from the Qing Dynasty, and imperial porcelain from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which are extremely valuable. Because it is located in the eastern part of the Forbidden City and was once used as the “place where the crown prince handled affairs,” according to the “Five Elements Theory,” the east corresponds to wood and the color green, symbolizing growth, so the roof of the palace used by the crown prince is covered with green glazed tiles.
Gate of Supreme Harmony
Below the Gate of Supreme Harmony, there is a long flight of steps, and in front of it lies a vast square. A small river flows from west to east in front of the square, spanned by five white marble bridges. The middle bridge is called the Jade Bridge, which the emperor usually walked on.
A pair of bronze lions and four bronze cauldrons are displayed in front of the Gate of Supreme Harmony. These bronze lions and cauldrons were ceremonial objects used by the emperor to display his imperial dignity and grandeur, so it is not surprising that they were placed before the Gate of Supreme Harmony. On December 15th in the 14th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (1888), just before the Guangxu Emperor’s wedding, a fire accidentally broke out due to the negligence of the guards stationed at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, who had hung lanterns on the gate’s pillars. The Gate of Supreme Harmony was severely damaged in this fire. The Guangxu Emperor was distraught and helpless.
As the wedding date was approaching, there was not enough time to rebuild the gate. The Imperial Household Department had no choice but to gather a group of craftsmen to hastily construct a temporary pavilion using wood, colored silk, and other materials, imitating the design of the Gate of Supreme Harmony as a makeshift replacement. The procession for the Guangxu Emperor’s wedding passed through this “counterfeit” Gate of Supreme Harmony.
Hall of Supreme Harmony
When you are actually there, you will find that it is even more magnificent and exquisite than you had imagined. One cannot help but admire the superb craftsmanship of the ancient artisans. This is where the emperor conducted his official business, and the architecture is grand and imposing. It is a must-see place when visiting the Forbidden City.
In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there is a wide platform called the Danbi, also commonly known as the Moon Terrace. However, despite its grandeur, the emperor did not use this great hall frequently. It was not typically used for daily morning court sessions but was primarily a venue for various ceremonies, so it was actually used quite rarely. There are three steps leading up to the main hall, and the emperor would walk up the middle one. At the center of this middle step is a cloud and dragon relief carving, which symbolizes imperial power and is not meant to be stepped on.
Hall of Central Harmony
The Hall of Central Harmony is 29 meters high, square in shape, and has a single-eave roof with four ridges converging to a point. The roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles, and a gilded bronze finial sits atop the center. It has the smallest area among the three main halls. On the terrace where the Halls of Supreme Harmony, Central Harmony, and Preserving Harmony are located, there are drainage spouts in the shape of dragon heads.
When it rains, water spurts out from these spouts simultaneously, creating a “thousand dragons spitting water” spectacle. Inside the Hall of Central Harmony, on either side of the imperial throne, there are two golden four-legged, single-horned mythical beasts. They are imaginary creatures believed to travel 18,000 li (about 9,000 kilometers) per day, understand the languages of all four directions, and know about distant matters.
Placed beside the emperor’s throne, they symbolize the monarch’s wisdom and are also used for burning sandalwood incense. The bronze incense burners placed on both sides of the Hall of Central Harmony’s terrace are used for burning charcoal to provide warmth.
Hall of Preserving Harmony
The Hall of Preserving Harmony is one of the three main halls in the Outer Court of the Forbidden City. It is located behind the Hall of Central Harmony and was built in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was initially named Jinshen Hall, but after being destroyed by a fire during the Jiajing period, it was rebuilt and renamed Jianji Hall. In the second year of the Shunzhi Emperor’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, it was changed to the Hall of Preserving Harmony. The hall is 9 bays wide and 5 bays deep, with a construction area of 1,240.00 square meters and a height of 29.50 meters.
The roof is a double-eave hip roof covered with yellow glazed tiles, and each corner of the upper and lower eaves is adorned with 9 small animal figures. The upper eave features a single arm with a double-arched seven-stepped bracket set, while the lower eave has a double-arched five-stepped bracket set. Both the inner and outer eaves are decorated with golden dragons and auspicious patterns, and the ceiling is adorned with a gilded dragon facing the front. The six ceiling beams are painted with exquisite and unique designs, harmonizing with the primarily cinnabar red decor and furnishings, creating a luxurious and splendid atmosphere. The floor of the hall is paved with gold bricks, and a carved, gilded lacquer imperial throne is placed facing south. The eastern and western side rooms are heated chambers, each with two wooden panel doors topped with wooden reliefs of auspicious clouds and dragons in pure gold Pilu hats. The construction employs the technique of column reduction, removing six gold columns from the front eave of the hall’s interior to create a spacious and open space.
Palace of Heavenly Purity
In ancient times, the emperor was considered the Son of Heaven, representing the Heavens and the Supreme Lord. The imperial position was extremely revered and regarded as unique, symbolizing the sole authority of Heaven. Pure energy rises and is called Heaven, while turbid energy descends and is called Earth. Therefore, “Qian” represents Heaven and purity.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity is the main hall of the Inner Court of the Forbidden City and one of the three rear palaces of the Inner Court. It is 9 bays wide and 5 bays deep, with a height of 20 meters and a double-eave hip roof. In the center of the palace is the imperial throne, and there are heated chambers at both ends. The Palace of Heavenly Purity has a double-eave hip roof covered with yellow glazed tiles and sits on a single-layer white marble terrace. From the terrace surface to the main ridge, it stands over 20 meters tall.
There are 9 ridge beasts on each corner of the eaves. The upper layer of the eaves features a single arm with a double-arched seven-stepped bracket set, while the lower layer has a single arm with a single-arched five-stepped bracket set. The eaves are decorated with golden dragons and auspicious patterns, and the windows and doors have three-intersection, six-lozenge-shaped lattices. The fourteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty and the Shunzhi and Kangxi emperors of the Qing Dynasty all used the Palace of Heavenly Purity as their sleeping quarters, residing here and handling daily affairs. According to records, after the “Renyin Palace Incident” during the Jiajing era, when more than ten palace maids attempted to strangle the Jiajing Emperor in his sleep, the Shizong Emperor moved to the Western Garden and did not dare to return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to reside. The “Moving Palace Case” involving Emperor Taichang’s concubine Li Xuanshi also took place in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Hall of Union
The Hall of Union has a square floor plan, with a width and depth of 3 bays each. It features a yellow glazed tile roof with four ridges converging to a gilded finial, and it is smaller than the Hall of Central Harmony. Inside the hall, there is an imperial throne, and behind the throne, there are four screen panels with the “Inscription of the Hall of Union” written by the Qianlong Emperor himself. The ceiling center features an octagonal caisson.
The hall has a single-eave hip roof with four ridges converging to a copper-gilded finial, and the roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles. It employs double-arched five-stepped bracket sets, and the beams and lintels are decorated with dragons, phoenixes, and auspicious paintings. The hall has doors on all four sides of the central bay, with three-intersection, six-lozenge-shaped lattice screens and four pairs of doors with dragon and phoenix aprons. The southern side bays have balustrade windows, while the side bays on the other three sides are walls. Inside the hall, the ceiling features a coiled dragon holding a pearl caisson, and the floor is paved with gold bricks.
The central bay houses the imperial throne, above which hangs a plaque with the characters “Wu Wei” (Non-Action) written by the Kangxi Emperor. Behind the throne is a screen panel inscribed with the “Inscription of the Hall of Union” composed by the Qianlong Emperor. In the eastern side bay, there is a bronze clepsydra (water clock), which was no longer used after the Qianlong era. On one side of the western side bay in the Hall of Union, there is a self-sounding clock manufactured in the third year of the Jiaqing era. This clock was used as the standard time throughout the imperial palace. The self-sounding clock is about 6 meters tall and is the largest surviving ancient standing clock in China.
Palace of Earthly Tranquility
During the Ming Dynasty, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility served as the empress’s sleeping quarters. It is nine bays wide and originally had a door in the center of the front facade, with eastern and western heated chambers. When Li Zicheng’s peasant rebel army entered Beijing, the Empress Zhou of the Chongzhen Emperor committed suicide by hanging herself in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
On major sacrificial days and on the first and fifteenth of each month, the emperor and empress would personally offer sacrifices to deities, including 15-16 portraits of deities such as Sakyamuni Buddha, Guan Yunchang, and Mongolian gods. During major celebrations and New Year’s Day, the empress would also hold congratulatory ceremonies here. In the Qing Dynasty, not many empresses actually lived in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Only a few empresses in the early Qing period resided here, including the deposed empress of the Shunzhi Emperor, Empress Xiaohui Zhang, Empress Xiaocheng Ren, and Empress Xiaozhao Ren of the Kangxi Emperor. The other empresses mostly had their own residences in the Eastern and Western Six Palaces.
Hall of Mental Cultivation
The Hall of Mental Cultivation was built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty and is located west of the Palace of Heavenly Purity in the Inner Court. The Shunzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty passed away in this hall. The builders of the Forbidden City only intended the Hall of Mental Cultivation to be a temporary resting place for the emperor and nothing more.
During the Kangxi era, it served as a workshop for the palace’s manufacturing department, specializing in the production of items for imperial use. The Hall of Mental Cultivation is approximately 63 meters long from north to south and 80 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of 5,000 square meters. It has a gong-shaped layout, with the front hall being three bays wide and 36 meters in total width, and three bays deep with a total depth of 12 meters. It features a hipped roof with yellow glazed tiles, and the central and western side bays are connected by a rolled canopy.
During the two hundred years from the Yongzheng era to the end of the Qing Dynasty, emperors often resided and carried out daily activities here. The main hall houses an imperial throne and desk. Behind the throne, there are bookshelves containing works by emperors of past dynasties on their experiences and lessons in “governing the country,” specifically for the new emperor to read.
Western Six Palaces
The Western Six Palaces are part of the Inner Court of the Forbidden City, including the Palace of Eternal Longevity, Palace of Earthly Honour, Palace of Gathering Elegance, Palace of Universal Happiness, Palace of Eternal Spring, and Palace of Prosperous Beginnings (Hall of Supreme Ultimate). They are collectively referred to as the Western Six Palaces due to their orderly arrangement on the western side of the central axis of the Forbidden City.
➰ Palace of Eternal Longevity: One of the Western Six Palaces in the Inner Court. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was initially named the Palace of Eternal Joy. The Palace of Eternal Longevity served as the residence for imperial concubines during the Ming Dynasty and for empresses during the Qing Dynasty. The front and rear halls of this palace were used as large storehouses for imperial items. It is now open as an exhibition hall for cultural relics of the Palace Museum.
➰ Palace of Earthly Honour: One of the Western Six Palaces in the Inner Court. It underwent multiple renovations during the Qing Dynasty. Originally a two-courtyard compound, in the late Qing period, the rear hall of the Palace of Earthly Honour was converted into a passageway hall called the Hall of Embodying Harmony, and one room of each of the eastern and western wing rooms was transformed into a passageway, connecting the Palace of Earthly Honour with the Palace of Gathering Elegance, forming a four-courtyard layout.
➰ Palace of Gathering Elegance: One of the Western Six Palaces in the Inner Court. It underwent several renovations during the Qing Dynasty. In the 10th year of the Guangxu era (1884), to celebrate the 50th birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi, a large-scale renovation was carried out at a cost of 630,000 taels of silver. The existing buildings are in the style of the renovation from the 10th year of the Guangxu era.
➰ Palace of Universal Happiness: One of the Western Six Palaces in the Inner Court. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was initially named the Palace of Longevity and Peace. Emperor Xianfeng resided in the Palace of Universal Happiness to observe mourning for Emperor Daoguang, and even after the mourning period ended, he often stayed here.
➰ Palace of Eternal Spring: One of the Western Six Palaces in the Inner Court. It was completed in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was initially named the Palace of Eternal Spring. In the 14th year of the Jiajing era (1535), it was renamed the Palace of Eternal Tranquility, and in the 43rd year of the Wanli era (1615), it reverted to being called the Palace of Eternal Spring. During the Qing Dynasty, it served as the residence for empresses. Emperor Qianlong’s Empress Xiaoxian once lived in the Palace of Eternal Spring, and after her death, her coffin was placed here. From the Tongzhi era to the 10th year of the Guangxu era (1884), Empress Dowager Cixi resided in this palace.
➰ Palace of Prosperous Beginnings (Hall of Supreme Ultimate): One of the Western Six Palaces in the Inner Court. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was originally named the Palace of Endless Prosperity. Because Emperor Jiajing’s biological father, Prince Xingxian
The Imperial Garden
The Imperial Garden is centered around the Hall of Imperial Peace (Qin’an Dian), with the garden architecture arranged in a compact and classically luxurious layout, using a primary and secondary complementary and left-right symmetrical pattern. The Hall of Imperial Peace, a double-eaved hip-roofed structure, is located on the north-south central axis of the Forbidden City. With the hall as the center, pavilions and towers unfold towards the front and sides. The garden features lush pines, cypresses, and bamboos interspersed with rocks, forming an evergreen landscape throughout the four seasons.
Although the Imperial Garden is not very large, measuring 80 meters from north to south and 140 meters from east to west, the ancient cypresses, old locust trees, exotic flowers, and unusual plants, along with the scattered pavilions, halls, and crisscrossing paths paved with flower-shaped stones, make the entire garden both classically elegant and tranquil, without losing its grand imperial atmosphere. This was a place for the emperor and empress to rest and enjoy themselves after tea and meals. Additionally, the annual activities of ascending to high places and appreciating the moon were also held here.
The Eastern Six Palaces Area
The Eastern Six Palaces are located on the eastern side of the central axis of the Forbidden City, along the Eastern First Avenue. They consist of a group of six courtyards with identical layouts. The six palaces are: Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren Gong), Palace of Heavenly Favor (Chengqian Gong), Palace of Purity (Zhongcui Gong), Palace of Eternal Harmony (Jingyang Gong), Palace of Eternal Peace (Yonghe Gong), and Palace of Prolonged Happiness (Yanxi Gong).
Hall of Ancestral Worship
Clock and Watch Gallery
The Hall of Ancestral Worship consists of a front main hall and a rear sleeping hall. The front hall is 9 bays wide and 4 bays deep, with a building area of 1,225.00 square meters. It features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with yellow glazed tiles, and under the eaves are painted gold-lined large gold swirl color paintings. The central 5 bays of the front eaves have doors, which are three-intersection, six-lozenge-shaped lattice screen doors. The central 5 bays of the rear eaves connect to a passageway hall, while the rest are balustrade windows.
In front of the hall is a moon platform, 40.00 meters wide and 12.00 meters deep, with a total area of 500.00 square meters. It displays sundials and an armillary sphere. The Sumeru base and the periphery of the moon platform are fitted with railings and dragon and phoenix patterned gaze pillars. According to Qing Dynasty customs, grand sacrifices were held in the front hall on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Emperor’s birthday, New Year’s Day, and major national celebrations. On the birthdays and death anniversaries of the emperors and empresses, as well as the Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Ghost Festival, Frost’s Descent, and the last day of the year, incense was offered and rituals were performed in the rear hall. Whenever the emperor’s title was bestowed, enthronement, conferring of titles, imperial lectures, plowing ceremonies, tomb visits, imperial tours, returning to the palace, and various celebrations took place, they were all reported to the ancestors in the rear hall.
The Clock and Watch Gallery was originally located in the Hall of Ancestral Worship outside the Jingyun Gate, displaying 123 clocks and watches of various styles manufactured in China and abroad in the 18th century. In 2019, the Clock and Watch Gallery was relocated from the Hall of Ancestral Worship to a new location in the southern group of rooms south of the Fengxian Gate.
Palace of Tranquil Longevity
Treasure Gallery
During the Ming Dynasty, this area served as the residence for the Empress Dowager. In the Qing Dynasty, the Palace of Tranquil Longevity was initially built in the 28th year of the Kangxi era (1689) to provide a place for the Empress Dowager (Empress Xiaohui of the Shunzhi Emperor) to spend her later years. Expansions and renovations were made in the 37th year of the Qianlong era, and the palace was finally completed four years later in the 41st year of the Qianlong era. It was intended as a place for the Qianlong Emperor himself to retire and spend his old age after abdicating the throne. However, after the Qianlong Emperor retired as the Supreme Emperor, he did not move into the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.
During the Guangxu era, the Qing court carried out large-scale expansions and renovations of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, specifically for Empress Dowager Cixi to reside in. In her later years, Empress Dowager Cixi took a liking to this place and lived here for 19 years. From the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, emperors, empresses, and empress dowagers all considered this area to be a blessed land and an ideal place for spending their later years in the palace.
Gate of Divine Prowess
The Gate of Divine Prowess is the northern gate of the Forbidden City. It was completed in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was originally called the Xuanwu Gate, named after Xuanwu, the ancient Chinese god of the north. During the Qing Dynasty, to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Kangxi, whose personal name was Xuanye, the character “Xuan” was changed to “Shen” (divine).
Inside the gate tower, there were bells and drums that corresponded to those in the Bell and Drum Towers, used for sounding the watches and reporting the time. They were managed by the Imperial Procession Guard. When the emperor was residing in the palace, the bells were not rung. The empress’s silk worm sacrifices, the selection of imperial concubines during the Qing Dynasty, and the welcoming of concubines into the palace all had to pass through the Gate of Divine Prowess. The emperor and empress would use the central main gate, while concubines, officials, guards, eunuchs, and artisans would enter and exit through the side archways. During imperial tours, only the emperor could exit through the Meridian Gate, while the accompanying concubines had to pass through the Gate of Divine Prowess.
The Forbidden City is a great historical symbol, presenting itself to the world like a voluminous history book, allowing us to understand history and Chinese culture. There are numerous palaces and a vast collection of cultural relics in the Forbidden City. Words alone cannot adequately describe its grandeur, magnificence, and majestic atmosphere. To truly understand it, one must step inside. It is an exceptionally beautiful place, resembling a heavenly realm.
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