Summary of the Forbidden City Experience:
Before traveling to China, I never fully understood why it was called the Forbidden City. But when on a tour in Beijing, I learned all about its fascinating history.
Chinese history was never my forte, so a visit to the Forbidden City was a complete surprise. I didn’t know what to expect.
All I knew about it was the movie The Last Emperor, which won a bunch of Academy Awards and was based in the Forbidden City.
Forbidden City of Beijing
The Forbidden City is directly across the street from Tiananmen Square, so when you visit, be sure to spend some time exploring one of the largest squares in the world.
Additionally, you can find advance tickets to the Forbidden City, as well as a Full Day tour of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, which includes lunch.
Our Tour of the Forbidden City
We have visited the Forbidden City twice in our travels, and the second visit was far more captivating than the first. Initially, I spent my time trying to grasp the history, but on my second visit, I was able to fully appreciate the significance of the palace.
Best time to visit the Forbidden City
Both of our visits to Beijing occurred later in the year. Our first trip was in December 2010, during winter, while the second one took place in September/October 2018. We felt fortunate to have clear days on both occasions.
If you plan to visit Beijing, it is advisable to avoid the summer months and instead opt for the clearer days of autumn or winter.
We enjoyed many blue skies during our winter visit to the Forbidden City, while September was a delightful mix of sun and clouds, with plenty of clear days!
Beijing’s Number 1 Attraction
The Forbidden City holds the title of the number one attraction in Beijing and attracts significant crowds. However, in the cooler months, the number of visitors tends to decrease.
There is an extensive amount to explore while touring the Forbidden City. Therefore, we recommend dedicating at least half a day to your visit. Be prepared for a lot of walking, as your guide will provide you with a wealth of information.
Consequently, it would be beneficial to conduct some research beforehand to better understand what your guide is describing.
Outer City Walls
Upon entering, the first sight is a massive square, the outer building of the Forbidden City. This area was rarely graced by the Emperor and his followers and was solely used for formal gatherings and military exercises.
It may be tempting to pause and take photographs of this area, and while your guide may discourage it, we recommend taking the time, as we found this portion to be the most impressive aspect of the entire complex.
Now, let me share some insights I gained during our 4-hour tour.
Why is it called the Forbidden City?
Constructed in the 1400s during the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City served as the residence for ruling Emperors and their households for 500 years. This grand palace consists of 980 buildings and over 8,000 rooms.
Commoners were restricted from entering the city, and many inhabitants of the Forbidden City could not leave its walls.
Only the Emperor, his Empress, his concubines, and his guards—castrated men known as Eunuchs—were permitted to live within the inner walls of the city.
Even the Emperor’s male relatives were prohibited from spending the night within the inner circle of the city.
The History of Eunuchs in the Forbidden City
Eunuchs were responsible for guarding the concubines. These castrated individuals were the only others who could reside in the palace and enter the inner courtyards of the Forbidden City.
This arrangement was to ensure that the Empress and the concubines could not conceive children fathered by anyone other than the Emperor. Eunuchs led privileged lives, accumulating political power and wealth.
However, they were devoid of certain aspects of masculinity.
Concubines of the Forbidden City
By the time of the Qing Dynasty (China’s final dynasty), approximately 20,000 concubines resided within the palace walls.
Some concubines never met or even saw the Emperor, yet remained in the city until their demise. Others who gained favor with the Emperor led lavish lives and could share their fortunes with extended family.
The competition for the Emperor’s favor was cutthroat, often leading to deadly outcomes. It was a fierce and isolating existence for the concubines.
They were permitted to gaze outside the walls only once each year to reconnect with their families and friends.
No commoner ever saw the Emperor; attempts to breach the city’s boundaries without his consent resulted in a slow and painful death.
The towering walls encapsulated a lavish lifestyle within a prison-like setting.
Like many of China’s landmarks, the Forbidden City was constructed by one million laborers working tirelessly under dismal conditions for 15 years, yielding a monumental tribute to the Emperor.
The Layout of the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is segmented into several sections, with two primary areas: The Outer Court, used for ceremonial activities and meetings, and the Inner Court, which functioned as the Emperor’s residence.
The complex contains structures with names such as The Hall of Heavenly Purity, The Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Although these names might evoke a sense of peace, in reality, there was often little harmony or tranquility during that era.
The artistry and effort that went into constructing the palace are undeniable, and the Forbidden City is indeed stunning and certainly worth visiting.
A particularly remarkable feature is a solid 16.5-meter-long marble slab, weighing 250 tons, located behind the Hall of Preserved Harmony. It ascends the steps towards the rear entrance, intricately carved with dragons winding their way toward the door.
This slab was moved 70 kilometers from its original carving site. Wondering how they achieved such a feat? They created an ice highway to slide the slab all the way to Beijing.
Once winter arrived, water was poured in front of the slab to freeze as 20,000 men and horses transported it to its final location.
Imperial Gardens and The Hill
We continued our exploration through additional walls and buildings until we finally reached the concluding chapter of our tour—the Imperial Gardens.
It feels marvelous to say that we have visited the Imperial Gardens, one of our favorite sections of the palace.
These gardens are adorned with rock sculptures and lush landscapes. The most notable feature is the Hill of Accumulated Elegance, or The Dui Xiu Shan.
This is a high rock formation where the Emperor and his concubines would ascend every ninth day of the ninth lunar month.
The Hill, Jingshan Park
Ensure you hike up the Hill for a panoramic overview of the Forbidden City.
We missed this during our first tour of Beijing, but it was well worth it on our second visit. The view truly illustrates the vastness of the complex.
The vista presents views of Beijing and the Forbidden City, including the moat that encircles the complex.
Fun Fact: The moat is 52 meters wide because that is the maximum distance an arrow could shoot, meaning even the best marksmen could not penetrate the outer walls.
Final Thoughts
Under different circumstances, this palace could have been a beacon of serenity and beauty. However, at that time it was a prison for all its inhabitants.
It served as a confinement for the concubines, a prison for the Eunuchs who were sacrificed by their parents at a young age, and even a prison for the Emperor, who was perpetually threatened by the prospect of assassination.
Although access was forbidden to outsiders, its residents faced a life sentence of confinement.
Where to Stay
Beijing offers a variety of neighborhoods for accommodation, with three key areas we recommend near the Hutongs. The Shichahai Sandalwood Hotel, an authentic establishment set in a former palace, is within walking distance (3.5 km) to the Forbidden City.
Staying near the Forbidden City is also a fantastic option, offering easy access to both popular attractions and numerous dining choices.
We also stayed at a pleasant hotel on the outskirts of town, conveniently close to the airport, with other tour groups choosing the same location.
