一个又一个北京名胜古迹介绍及图片(英文版)

2021年1月19日发(作者：权正环)

Beijing's Famous Historical Pictures

北京名胜古迹介绍及图片
(
英文版
)


Forbidden City







Beijing dust storm - Forbidden City north wall


The Forbidden City, also referred to as the Palace Museum, is one of the China's mo
st significant historical monuments, and the Forbidden City complex is representative of t
he traditional classical Chinese architecture of the dynastic period. The entire palace was
designed for the viewing pleasure of the emperor only, and few outsiders ever saw the 'I
nner Court' part of the city.

The Forbidden City was completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. The palace was
the home to twenty four Chinese emperors from the Ming and Qin dynasties, spanning o
ver 491 years from 1420 and 1911.




Tai'he Gate Square - Looking at the north Meridian Gate


The Meridian Gate (above) was constructed in 1420, and is the main gate of the Forbidd
en City. It was used primarily by the emperor, who always entered from the south. The M
eridian Gate is over 37 meters high, and is the second main gate after the outer- most 'Tia
n'anmen Gate' or
Tai'he Gate Square
Within the Tai'he Gate Square lies the Golden Water River, which snakes through the squ
are like a winding jade belt. Five marble bridges span the Golden Water River. The use of
wide open space was designed to limit an invader's ability to hide. The stone flooring in t
he square was several layers thick to prevent someone from tunneling into the compound.




Tai'he Gate Square - Golden Water River

The Forbidden City occupies a total space of more than 720,000 square meters, surroun
ded on three sides by imperial gardens. The entire complex is surrounded by a 50 meter
wide moat and a 10 meter high wall with watch towers at each of its corners. The palace
walls have a total length of 3,400 metres.

The Forbidden City complex consists of two main parts: the 'Outer Court' and the 'Inner C
ourt.' The Forbidden City complex contains 9,999.5 bays or
ms than the 1000 rooms heaven was believed to be.




No. 2 Long Alley looking towards the western palaces

The 'Outer Court' centers around the Hall of Preserved Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmo
ny, and the Midway Hall of Harmony, all of which are flanked by the Hall of Literary Glory
and the Hall of Military Prowess.
At the center of the 'Inner Court' lies the Hall of Celestial Heavenly Purity, Hall of Uni
on and Peace, and the Hall of Terrestrial or Earthly Transquility, which are symmetrically f
lanked by the Six East Palaces and the Six West Palaces.

Jingshan Park & Coal Hill

To the north of the Qianqing Gate or
rom the
also known as Coal Hill or
Jing Shan Hill
(below). The hill is artificial, created from the soil
excavated to build the palace moat and adjoining lakes. To this day Jingshan Park is a p
opular morning gathering spot for the locals to preform Tai Chi.




Overlooking Qianqing Gate Square and Coal Hill


Chongzheng - The Last Ming Emperor

The last Ming emperor
Chongzheng
hanged himself atop Jingshan Hill (meaning
ct Hill
palace. The Forbidden City is situated to the south of a Jingshan Hill in accordance with t
he dictates of Feng Shui. This is why Coal Hill is also known as