The Forbidden City Virtual Tour
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Touring The Forbidden City
A tour to Beijing just isn’t complete without visiting the palace. Most people begin from the southern-most entrance, Tiananmen Gate which overlooks Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. Originally, there was another gate located south of Tiananmen Gate. It was named the Great Qing Gate. It was torn down in the 1950’s. View The Map
Outer Court
Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace)
The name Tiananmen means “Gate of Heavenly Peace” in China. The current gate was built in 1645 after the original was burnt to the ground in 1644. The gate was a place of great importance throughout its history and on October 1st, 1949 Mao Zedong announced the beginning of The People’s Republic of China.
Duanmen Gate (Upright Gate)
Located directly north of Tiananmen Gate is Duanmen Gate. It is identical to Tiananmen Gate in size and appearance.
Wumen Gate (Meridian Gate)
North of Duanmen Gate is Wumen Gate. The largest gate in The Forbidden City, the gate leads into The Forbidden City proper and was often called the “Five Phoenix Tower” because of the five buildings turrets located on top of the gate. Imperial proclamations were issued from this gate and prisoners of war were received here.
Taihemen Gate (Gate of Supreme Harmony)
Flanked by the Zhendu and Zhaode Gates, Taihemen Gate leads to the huge plaza where important ceremonies, and meetings were held by the Emperor. Located in front of the gate is the Golden River which is spanned by five bridges.
Taihedian Hall (Hall of Supreme Harmony)
North of Taihemen Gate is the Taihedian Hall. Symbolically, the most important building in The Forbidden City, it was the highest and featured the most impressive roof and roof decorations. It is here where the Emperor would hold court to discuss affairs of state. It was also the place where the Emperor’s birthday celebrations were held. The hall was built on a large marble plinth decorated with clouds and dragons, symbols of the Emperor.
Zhonghe Palace (Hall of Central Harmony)
North of Taihedian Hall is the Zhonghe Palace. The hall was used as a resting place and a place for the Emperor to practice his speeches during ceremonies held at the Taihedian Hall. The hall is square in shape and is topped with a large golden pearl.
Baohedian Hall (Hall of Preserving Harmony)
The Baohedian Hall was a multi-function hall. It was used by the Emperor to rehearse for imperial ceremonies. It was also where the final level of the Imperial Examinations was held. View The Map
Western Outer Court
Wuying Palace (Hall of Martial Valor)
Located West of Taihemen Gate, the Wuying Palace was used as the Emperor’s residence during the Ming Dynasty and in the Qing Dynasty it was where imperial books were produced. The books were works of art and were for the express use of the Emperor. The palace exhibits paintings from many Chinese dynasties. View The Map
Eastern Outer Court
Wenhuadian (Hall of Literary Glory)
East of Taihemen Gate, is the Wenhuadian Hall. During the Ming Dynasty, it was used as the residence of the heir to the throne. In the Qing Dynasty, the hall was used as a study for the Emperors. The rearmost building in the complex, which housed the royal library, has a black roof because it was believed that black was the symbol of water and by having a black roof, the building would be safe from fire. View The Map
Inner Court
Qianqingmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Purity)
Just north of Baohedian, the Qianqingmen Gate separates the Outer and Inner Courts. It is guarded by two magnificent gilded bronze lions. The gate has a unique design with two angled wings on either side of the gate.
Qianqing Palace (Palace of Heavenly Purity)
The largest building in the Inner Court, the Qianqing Palace is located just north of the Qianqingmen Gate. It was the residential quarters of the Emperor during the Ming and early Qing Dynasties. After the Qing Dynasty Emperor Yongzheng moved his quarters to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the palace became the place where the Emperors met with his council, met foreign ambassadors, and read official documents. The hall was also where the Emperor’s coffin was placed for the mourning period.
Jiaotai Palace (Palace of Union)
North of the Qianqing Palace is the Jiaotai Palace. It was where the Empress held ceremonies for Chinese New Year’s Day and her birthday. The furnishings inside the palace are unique. On the west side of the palace is a large European-made clock and on the east side is a large water clock which told time by dripping water. Inside the palace, the Emperor Qianlong stored the 25 imperial seals.
Kunning Palace (Palace of Earthly Tranquility)
Located north of the Jiaotai Palace, the Kunning Palace, was the Empress’s sleeping quarters during the Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Once the Emperor and Empress moved to the east and west inner courts, the palace was where Manchu shamanist rights were held. The Emperor and Empress were married in the main hall of the building and the eastern hall was where they would spend their first wedding night.
Kunningmen Gate (Gate of Earthly Tranquility)
Seperating the Kunning Palace from the Imperial Garden is the Kunningmen Gate.
Yuhuayuan Garden (Imperial Garden)
A private retreat for the imperial family to unwind, the Yuhuayuan Garden, is located north of Kunningmen Gate. The garden is filled with pavilions, stone paths, ancient trees, and rockeries. Located in the north of the garden, against the palace wall is Duixiushan Hill (Gathering Beauty Hill), an artifical mountain with a pavilion on top. The Emperor would sit in the pavilion on the Double Ninth Festival to enjoy the moon with his family. View The Map
Western Inner Court
Yangxindian Hall (Hall of Mental Cultivation)
The Yangxindian Hall was the residence of the Qing Dynasty Emperors.
Xiliugong Palaces (Six Western Palaces)
The Xiliugong Palaces are a group of six palaces that were the dwellings of the Emperor’s wives and concubines. The palaces are beautiful and represent some of the original buildings from The Forbidden City’s original construction. The buildings are particularly beautiful and are filled with their original furnishings. View The Map
Eastern Inner Court
Fengxiandian Hall (Hall for Ancestry Worship)
In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, ancestry worship was a very important part of life and in The Forbidden City, Fengxiandian Hall was built to pray to the ancestors of the Emperors. The hall was originally constructed in 1657 and has been restored many times through its history. The Hall has two large rooms connected by a corridor which gives the structure the shape of the letter “I”.. On the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month, and major festivals and birthdays, the hall was used for the Emperor and the imperial family to worship their ancestors. Currently, the hall is the Clock and Watch Gallery and exhibits over 200 18th century timepieces crafted in China and abroad. They are incredible works of art and are known for their beauty as well as their time keeping ability.
Dongliugong (Six Eastern Palaces)
Located north of Fengxiandian Hall, the Dongliugong Palaces were the residences of Concubines. Originally built in the 15th century, they were rebuilt in the 17th century. The palaces are currently exhibition halls. The Jingrengong Palace (Palace of Great Benevolence) exhibits a collection of over 500 ancient bronzes. The Chengqiangong Palace (Palace of Celestial Favor) and the Yonghegong Palace (Palace of Eternal Harmony) exhibit some of the palace’s pottery and porcelain. The Jingyanggong (Palace of Great Brilliance) exhibits lacquer ware, jade, and glass and metal ware from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Yenxigong Palace displays a collection of ancient paintings and pottery. During the Ming Dynasty, the Zhongcuigong (Palace of Purity) was the residence of the Crown Princes. View The Map
Outer Eastern Court
Located in the far northeastern corner of The Forbidden City, the Ningshougong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity), is a series of palaces and gardens built for the retirement of Emperor Qianlong. Emperor Qianlong did not wish to rule longer than his grandfather who ruled for 61 years, so he planned on retiring during the 60th year of his reign and live in this area. Although he did name his son Emperor he, in fact, still ruled. Ningshougong occupies an area of 46,000 square meters and is filled with incredible architectural treasures, as well as treasures of a more sparkling kind.
Jiulongbi (Nine Dragon Screen)
Located across from the Huangjimen Gate (Gate of Imperial Supremacy) is the Jiulongbi Screen. It was believed that having a screen in front of behind and entrance gate would stop evil spirits from entering. There are three imperial Nine Dragon Screens in China and the one at The Forbidden City is the largest. The wall, composed of 270 glazed tiles features 9 imperial dragons playing with pearls amongst waves.
Huangjimen Gate (Gate of Imperial Supremacy)
Located north of the Nine Dragon Screen, the Huangjimen Gate lead to Huangjidian Hall (Hall of Imperial Supremacy). It has three arches that are decorated with glazed tiles.
Huangjidian Hall (Hall of Imperial Supremacy)
Intended to be used as an audience hall for Emperor Qianlong, Huangjidian Hall is similar in design to Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) located in the center of The Forbidden City.
Ningshougong Palace (Palace of Tranquil Longevity)
Built in 1689, Ningshougong Palace was rebuilt by Emperor Qianlong. The palace was intended to be used by the Emperor as a place of worship. Currently, the palace exhibits some of the palace’s art treasures.
Yangxingmen Gate (Gate of Spiritual Cultivation)
Yangxingmen Gate leads to Yangxingdian Hall.
Yangxingdian Palace (Palace of Spiritual Cultivation)
Built in 1772, Yangxingdian was intended to be the residential quarters of Emperor Qianlong. The palace is now home to some of the palace’s treasures made from precious material.
Leshoutang Hall (Hall of Joyful Longevity)
Originally constructed in 1772, Leshoutang Hall was restored in 1802 and rebuilt in 1891. The building was intended to be used as the Emperor’s study. Today, the hall exhibits the clothes and daily necessities of the Emperors of the Qing Dynasty.
Yihexuan Palace (Palace of Tranquil Longevity)
Built in 1772, Yihexuan Palace’s eastern and western walls are decorated with the calligraphy of Emperor Qianlong.
Ningshougong Garden (Qianlong Garden)
Located west of the Yihexuan Palace, the Ningshougong Garden was built for entertainment and leisure. It is filled with incredible architectural treasures and stone rockeries.
Zhenfeijing (Concubine Zhen Well)
This well is quite famous in China and has a sad story. The Emperor Guangxu was in love with Concubine Zhen and wanted her for his Empress, but the powers that be would not allow it, so she was made a concubine. The Empress Dowager ordered Concubine Zhen to be thrown in the well to drown. Located near the well is a shrine built by Concubine Zhen’s sister in honor of her.
Changyinge Stage (Pavilion of Pleasant Sounds )
The largest theatre in The Forbidden City, the Changyinge Stage is a large three storey structure that was built over a period of four years. It was designed for Beijing Opera performances. It’s unique architectural style allows an opera to be performed on three levels representing heaven, earth, and the underworld.
Yueshilou Hall (Hall for Viewing Opera)
Built just north of the Changyinge Stage, the Yueshilou Hall was built for the Emperor, Empress, and Concubines to watch the operas performed there. It is a two storey building which now exhibits Beijing Opera costumes, props, and musical instruments of the Qing Dynasty.
Shenwu Gate (Gate of Divine Might)
The northernmost gate of The Forbidden City, Shenwu Gate faces Coal Hill.
