Huế citadel

Welcome to the Forbidden City, or as it was known to the ancients, Zijincheng. I am delighted to guide you through this architectural marvel, which served as the navel of the world for nearly five centuries. …

We now stand before the Wu Men, known in English as the Meridian Gate. This is the main entrance to the Forbidden City and the tallest gate in Beijing, standing at the height of a twelve-story building. …

After passing through the Wu Men, you enter a vast courtyard bisected by the Inner Golden Water River, or Jinshui He. This stream is not merely a decorative feature; it serves a profound purpose in both feng shui and practical…

We now stand before the Taihedian, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the most important and prestigious building in the Forbidden City. Sitting atop a triple-tiered white marble terrace, it rises like a golden phoenix above the vast…

Behind the grand Taihedian lies the smaller, square-shaped Zhonghedian, or the Hall of Middle Harmony. If the Taihedian was the stage for grand drama, the Zhonghedian was the Emperor's backstage. …

The final of the three great halls in the Outer Court is the Baohedian, the Hall of Preserving Harmony. In the Ming Dynasty, this hall was used by the Emperor to change his robes before ceremonies. …

We have now reached the Qianqingmen, the Gate of Heavenly Purity, which serves as the main entrance to the Inner Court. This gate marks a significant shift in the atmosphere of our visit. …

Entering the Inner Court, we encounter the Qianqinggong, the Palace of Heavenly Purity. In the Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty, this was the primary residence and bedchamber of the Emperor. …

Continuing north, we find the Jiaotaidian, or the Hall of Union, situated between the palaces of the Emperor and the Empress. This small, square hall symbolizes the union of Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, which was believed to…

To the east and west of the central axis lie the Twelve Residential Palaces, where the Emperor’s consorts and concubines lived. This area, known as the 'Woman's Realm,' is more domestic and intimate than the grand halls we've…

At the northernmost end of the central axis lies the Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden. After the rigid symmetry and starkness of the ceremonial halls, this garden offers a sensory relief of greenery, winding paths, and organic…

Our journey through the Forbidden City concludes at the Shenwumen, the Gate of Divine Might. As you exit through this northern gate, take one final look back at the golden roofs and towering walls. …