in China
If based in Beijing, there are certain cultural touchpoints you must visit when in China. We’ve already been to the Great Wall; now you need to visit the Forbidden City.
Built in 1406, the Forbidden City is the perfect encapsulation of China in one location. It is rooted in history and stands as a snapshot of a pivotal period in the country’s development, perfectly preserved and placed on display.
Its name comes from the fact that the public was forbidden to enter it on pain of death. Today, everyone has access, though some rooms are not open to the public.
It’s now so accessible that it is common to see people of all ages dressed in traditional wear from the Ming and Qing dynasties, heavily made up, hairpieces and all, cosplaying as members of the nobility, cell phone in hand.
As the home of the Emperor, the Imperial Family and their servants, this ornately decorated wooden palace stood out. All other buildings in China were grey. In fact, in the community that surrounds the palace, many traditional buildings from that period remain.
The palace, however, was constructed with red walls and yellow roofs. We visited on a bright, sunny day, which made the roofs look as though they were shimmering in the sunlight.
It’s a highly symbolic structure. According to Feng Shui, no trees could be planted on the compound. While trees line the outer perimeter, there are none inside. If visiting in summer, keep this in mind because it was extremely hot when we visited and there is little shade.
Our guide made us take water for the two-hour tour. It is also suggested that you wear sunblock, a hat and/or a UV-blocking umbrella (they are extremely popular in China) to help withstand the heat.
Once inside, look out for dragon heads carved into the stone courtyard, huge bronze water tanks in case of fire, lion statues that guard entry to major buildings—male and female, yin and yang, for protection and balance—an elephant for prosperity, the phoenix to represent the Empress, and the royal jade collection.
You can visit several times and not run out of messages to decipher.
As a collection of buildings with names like the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Gate of Manifest Virtue and Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Forbidden City represents ancient Chinese architecture that speaks to the religion and philosophy of its people to this day.
It was the home of the emperor for over 500 years. However, when Emperor Puyi abdicated in 1924, it was converted into the Palace Museum, its official name, and has remained unoccupied since, except for a collection of feral cats that live on the compound.
Staff say they protect the royal collection, so they are fed and maintained under a catch-neuter-release system. These cats have become part of what visitors come to see. It’s suggested that you look but do not touch them.
As the second most popular tourist site in Beijing, visitors are advised to come early, allocating time for the security check upon entry. Bags are scanned and facial-recognition software is used. Tourists must carry their passports or risk being barred from entry.
You also must visit the Palace Museum website at least seven days in advance to book your ticket. They are not transferable, so take note of the entry requirements, which include a strict no-smoking, no-lighter policy.
Booking a tour is advisable but not necessary. Guides are full of fun facts and are able to provide on-location context to the exhibitions, such as the fact that the Forbidden City was virtually unlivable during the summer months because of the heat. As a result, the entire family—the Emperor, wives, children and their many servants—would decamp to the Summer Palace, also in Beijing, but by the water in a cooler and more comfortable location.
This means the Forbidden City was also known as the Winter Palace because that’s when it was used.
It also means a visit to the Summer Palace should be added to your list of things to do in Beijing, especially if you are a visitor who loves continuity.
