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The Forbidden City (The
Palace Museum) has been
the residence of 24 emperors.
The Forbidden City covers
170 acres and around
9000 rooms rich in antiques,
clocks and jewels and
was built during the
period 1406-1420 and
is located a kilometre
north Tiananmen Square.
It is believed that around
1,000,000 workers were
used to construct the
Forbidden City. The last
Emperor to live in the
city was Puyi who left
in 1924.
The southern section
of The Forbidden City
was the official area
and the northern section,
or the Inner Court the
living area. The last
emperor left in 1924.
A wide deep moat and
a 10 metre high wall
surround the city as
a rectangle with four
corner towers. Located
at Jingshanqian Jie,
Dongcheng District (6513
2255)
As you enter the city
you pass under the Gate
of Supreme Harmony and
then opens into a large
courtyard. On the north
of the courtyard is the
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The second ceremonial
hall you then pass through
is the Hall of Middle
harmony. Then comes the
Hall of Preserving Harmony
next to a Starbucks!
From here you can explore
the Hall of Jewellery,
Inner Palace, and Imperial
Garden and to the exit
via the North Gate.
It normally takes about
3 hours to explore the
Forbidden City and English
audio tour read by Roger
Moore is available. The
main entry point is the
Meridian Gate which is
10 minutes walk north
of Tian’anmen Square.
This is the same gate
as the Gate of Heavenly
Peace. (6513 2255)
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