Exploring the History and Charm of the Forbidden City in Beijing
The Forbidden City in Beijing, formerly known as the Purple Forbidden City, is the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. It is located at the center of the central axis of Beijing, covering an area of about 720,000 square meters and a building area of about 150,000 square meters. Without a doubt, the Forbidden City is one of the largest and most completely preserved ancient wooden architectural complexes in the world.
Historical Origin of the Forbidden City
The history of the Forbidden City can be traced back to the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty resolutely decided to move the capital to Beijing and ordered the construction of the Purple Forbidden City. After years of meticulous construction, the Purple Forbidden City was officially completed in 1420. Since then, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties have lived and handled state affairs in this magnificent place.
Legend of Building the Forbidden City
It is said that when the Forbidden City was being built, Emperor Yongle was extremely strict with the construction quality. Once, he found that a pillar of a palace was a bit crooked. Enraged, he ordered the execution of the responsible craftsmen. The craftsmen were terrified. Later, a clever craftsman came up with a solution. He placed special stones under the pillar and skillfully adjusted the angle of the pillar, making the palace return to a perfect state. When Emperor Yongle saw it, he was very satisfied. Not only did he pardon the craftsmen, but he also rewarded them.
Architectural Features of the Forbidden City
The architectural style of the Forbidden City is magnificent and magnificent, fully demonstrating the extraordinary skills of ancient Chinese imperial architecture. The roofs of the palaces are laid with yellow glazed tiles, which symbolize the supremacy of imperial power. The walls of the palaces are red, implying auspiciousness and prosperity. The architectural layout of the Forbidden City is rigorous and symmetrical, mainly divided into two parts: the outer court and the inner court. The outer court is the place where the emperor handles state affairs, while the inner court is the place where the emperor and his concubines live.
Cultural Value of the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is not only a brilliant treasure of architectural art, but also an important carrier of Chinese history and culture. In the Forbidden City, a large number of precious cultural relics and exquisite artworks are collected, including calligraphy and painting, ceramics, bronze ware, jade ware, and so on. These cultural relics not only have extremely high artistic value, but also deeply reflect the history, culture and scientific and technological development level of ancient China.
Mysterious Legend of the Forbidden City
There is also a legend about the Forbidden City. It is said that on every full moon night, mysterious shadows will appear in some corners of the Forbidden City. Some people say that it is ancient palace maids and eunuchs wandering. Although this is just a legend, it also adds a mysterious color to the Forbidden City.
Nowadays, the Forbidden City in Beijing has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in China. Every year, a large number of domestic and foreign tourists come here to feel the glory of ancient Chinese imperial palaces and the unique charm of historical culture.