Beijing · The Palace Museum

I. Overview of Scenic Area Status

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. As the world's largest and best-preserved wooden architectural complex, it ranks first among the five major imperial palaces globally. This architectural marvel preserves the royal history of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties, standing as a landmark of Chinese civilization. Construction began in 1406 during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty and was completed in 1420. Serving as an imperial sanctuary for nearly 500 years, it was officially converted into a museum in 1925 and will celebrate its centennial in 2025. Covering approximately 720,000 square meters with 150,000 square meters of built-up area, the complex features 9,371 ancient buildings symmetrically arranged along a central axis, embodying the ancient philosophy of "imperial authority at the center and ritual-based social order."

II. Overall Layout of the Building

The Forbidden City strictly adheres to the traditional "front court, rear quarters" layout, divided into two core zones: The Outer Court (Front Court) centered around three grand halls—the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony—served as the political heart for imperial ceremonies including enthronement, weddings, investitures, and grand celebrations. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, commonly known as the Golden Throne Hall, holds the highest status with its golden brick flooring and central dragon throne symbolizing imperial authority. The Hall of Central Harmony provided resting areas for imperial preparations, while the Hall of Preserving Harmony hosted the highest-level palace examinations during the Qing Dynasty to select outstanding talents. The Inner Court (Rear Quarters) comprises three main palaces—the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Union, and Palace of Earthly Tranquility—flanked by six eastern and western palaces serving as daily living quarters for emperors, empresses, and concubines. The Palace of Heavenly Purity functioned as the administrative and residential palace for Ming and Qing emperors, the Hall of Union housed imperial seals, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility served as the empress's primary residence. The northern imperial garden features exquisite pavilions and rockeries, creating picturesque landscapes at every turn. Surrounding the complex are 10-meter-high walls and a 52-meter-wide moat, with elegant corner towers at each quadrant blending defense and architectural aesthetics. The iconic red walls and yellow tiles embody cultural symbolism: yellow glazed tiles reserved for royalty, red walls symbolizing solemnity and auspiciousness, while the Hall of Supreme Harmony showcases exquisite HeXi polychrome paintings and Xuanzi polychrome techniques, radiating opulence and grandeur.

III. Core Value of Museum Collections

The Palace Museum houses over 1.86 million precious cultural relics (sets), with valuable artifacts accounting for 93.2% of the collection, covering all categories of national treasures including calligraphy and paintings, bronze ware, ceramics, jade artifacts, and imperial treasures. The collection includes masterpieces such as "Along the River During the Qingming Festival,"  "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains,"  "The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," and "Five Oxen." Bronze artifacts include significant pieces from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, while ceramics encompass masterpieces from the five famous kilns of the Song Dynasty and official kilns of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Additionally, it features exclusive imperial artifacts such as dragon robes, royal clocks and watches, jewelry accessories, and tributes from China and abroad, making it a top-tier treasure trove for studying ancient Chinese art, history, and craftsmanship.

IV. Cultural and Historical Significance

The Forbidden City is not only a complex of ancient architecture, but also a tangible embodiment of the political systems, court rituals, lifestyle culture, artistic aesthetics, ethnic integration, and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It serves as a pivotal window for global understanding of Eastern Chinese civilization, possessing multifaceted values in architectural history, art history, archaeological history, and cultural history.

V. Seasonal Landscape Features

In spring, flowers and trees bloom in full splendor, with red walls set against a sea of blossoms exuding gentle elegance. During summer, lush trees provide shade while palaces remain cool and solemn. Autumn features vast skies and light clouds, creating breathtaking light and shadow effects that make it an ideal photography destination. In winter, after snowfall, the landscape is draped in silver-white attire, where white snow complements red walls and yellow tiles, amplifying the ancient ambiance and making it a prime time for social media check-ins.

VI. Practical Travel Tips

1.Real-name advance reservation is mandatory with daily capacity limits, and tickets may be hard to secure during peak seasons.

2.Classic route: Enter through the Meridian Gate → Three Great Halls → Three Rear Palaces → Imperial Garden → Exit through Shenwu Gate.

3.The entire tour takes 4–6 hours, with the Treasure Museum and Clock Museum being recommended for additional visits.

4.Wear comfortable footwear, apply sunscreen in summer and keep warm in winter. Touching exhibits or taking unauthorized photographs is strictly prohibited within the hall.