As one of the most famous sites to see when visiting Beijing in China, the Forbidden City is a place that would transport just about anyone into the past. It has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 due to its incomparable beauty, and as the structure and the overall uniqueness of the palace is considered as a major part in history, it has been ensured that the establishment would be well-preserved in the years to come.
The 178-acre Forbidden City, now referred to as the Palace Museum, was considered to be “forbidden” as it was only the emperor who was allowed to roam the location whenever he wished. Should a government official, a member of the imperial family or any other guest express their interest to visit, they should be granted the permission by just the emperor himself and no one else without any exceptions. This rule was applied during the reign of the 24 emperors who lived in the Palace during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with the tradition starting out in the year 1420.
It was said that the astronomers during the ancient Chinese era believed that at the center of heaven, a certain purple star named Polaris can be seen. That was why as the symbol of being at center of the earth, the Chinese emperor had to live in a Purple Palace to signify the relationship with the heavenly star.
The Forbidden City which has an estimated number of 8,700 rooms is caged by four 10-meter high walls that make up a rectangle. All of these walls have gates to prevent any unauthorized entry or attacks from enemies. It was in 1924 that the last Chinese emperor resided in the Palace, and until then, major renovations are being conducted to preserve the memories of what life had been for the highest official in the Chinese legion.
A visit to China would be incomplete without spending some time at the Forbidden Temple, and seeing the vivid hues that represent the royal family’s colors would definitely brighten up anyone’s day.
