After spending time in Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (that is essentially attached to the square) is the next stop. The Forbidden City, so-called because it was off-limits to most of the world for 500 years, is the best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. The old world of concubines, emperors, eunuchs and conspicuous wealth still hovers over the lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and great halls of the palace. Most of the buildings are post-18th century; there have been periodic losses due to an injudicious mix of lantern festivals and Gobi winds, invading Manchus and, in this century, pillaging and looting by both the Japanese forces and the Kuomintang. A permanent restoration squad takes about 10 years to renovate its 720,000 square metres, 800 buildings and 9000 rooms, by which time it's time to start all over again. The palatial former living quarters now function as museums. One thing that I personally think you may also find fascinating about the Forbidden City is the clear evidence of societal change in China. Even just outside of the Inner Court inside the Forbidden City itself is (no joke!) a Starbucks. My how things change. At any rate, this is truly one of the absolute highlights of the trip. As one traveler put it: "Walking into the Forbidden City through the Tiananmen Gate is simply one of the "I can't believe this is happening" moments of one life. The city itself is exactly that - a whole city within a city." Don't take my word for it though, see it for yourself on the official website of the Forbidden City by clicking here. You can actually take an online virtual tour on the site! Also, CCTV (China Central Television) has their 12 part documentary on the Forbidden City on the web for viewing (in English). You can link over to that by clicking here.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A Necessary Journey into the Forbidden City
After spending time in Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (that is essentially attached to the square) is the next stop. The Forbidden City, so-called because it was off-limits to most of the world for 500 years, is the best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. The old world of concubines, emperors, eunuchs and conspicuous wealth still hovers over the lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and great halls of the palace. Most of the buildings are post-18th century; there have been periodic losses due to an injudicious mix of lantern festivals and Gobi winds, invading Manchus and, in this century, pillaging and looting by both the Japanese forces and the Kuomintang. A permanent restoration squad takes about 10 years to renovate its 720,000 square metres, 800 buildings and 9000 rooms, by which time it's time to start all over again. The palatial former living quarters now function as museums. One thing that I personally think you may also find fascinating about the Forbidden City is the clear evidence of societal change in China. Even just outside of the Inner Court inside the Forbidden City itself is (no joke!) a Starbucks. My how things change. At any rate, this is truly one of the absolute highlights of the trip. As one traveler put it: "Walking into the Forbidden City through the Tiananmen Gate is simply one of the "I can't believe this is happening" moments of one life. The city itself is exactly that - a whole city within a city." Don't take my word for it though, see it for yourself on the official website of the Forbidden City by clicking here. You can actually take an online virtual tour on the site! Also, CCTV (China Central Television) has their 12 part documentary on the Forbidden City on the web for viewing (in English). You can link over to that by clicking here.
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