China: Forbidden City

The center of the world in ancient China: The Forbidden City

In the heart of Beijing, lies the imperial palace of the Qing and Ming dynasties. With its 980 buildings, the palace was the center of politics and home of Chinese emperors for 500 years, built by more than a million workers over a 14 years period in the early 13th century. The palace was regarded as the center of the world. No one could enter or leave the palace without the emperor’s permission, thus giving it its name “The Forbidden City”. The emperor of China lived in the palace’s inner court, behind an endless number of walls and closed gates. In the outer parts of the palace lie grand ceremonial squares and halls.

We followed the path through the Forbidden City together with hordes of other tourists and were amazed by its otherworldly size and fantastic details. We also managed to escape the crowds and experience the city’s backstreets on our own.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony: the largest hall and ceremonial center in the Forbidden City.

The Hall of Supreme harmony in the outer courts of the Forbidden City.

Looking back from the The Hall of Supreme Harmony

Tourist crowds making their way through the Gate of Supreme harmony

Few meters away from the tourist crowds and we were able to explore the Forbidden city on our own

Throne in the palace of Heavenly Purity in the inner. In ancient China, this was regarded as the center of the world

The throne in the Hall of Central Harmony in the outer court

In ancient China, the price of entering the Forbidden City uninvited was instant execution. Today, 60 Yuan (~60DKK or $10) got us in! The most popular path is walking through the center of the palace. However, we found that the side-wings and more hidden quarters were just as exciting.

The throne in the hall of Supreme Harmony