A Short Tour of the Forbidden City: A Journey Through Time and Space

Number of days：9 days
Time: March
Average cost: 7,000 yuan
With whom: and friends

"The morning bells of heaven ring the purple palace; the dawn sun shines upon the golden shops of the Forbidden City." When I finally stood beneath the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, the magnificent scene depicted in this poem leaped from paper into reality. The Forbidden City, bearing witness to the splendor of the Ming and Qing dynasties, instantly swept me into the torrent of history with its unparalleled grandeur.

Tickets for the Forbidden City must be booked in advance through the official website or WeChat mini-program. I chose a sunny day. While the 60 yuan ticket price during peak season isn't cheap, the thought of entering one of the world's largest and best-preserved ancient wooden structures made it all worth it. Entering the Meridian Gate, the towering city walls rise majestically, their vermilion walls and golden glazed tiles gleaming in the sunlight, as if evoking the majesty of the imperial family of yesteryear.

Walking along the central axis, the first thing that catches your eye is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This hall, the first of the "Three Great Halls of the East," is majestic and solemn. The exquisitely painted golden dragons and imperial seals within the hall are breathtaking, and the central gilded dragon throne evokes the image of the emperor seated upon it, receiving the homage of officials. The Hall of Supreme Harmony was the venue for major ceremonies, such as the emperor's enthronement, weddings, and the enthronement of the empress. Every inch of brick and stone, every beam, embodies the wisdom and meticulous work of ancient craftsmen. Here, I met a seasoned tour guide who vividly recounted the hall's symbolic meaning of the "caisson ceiling" and the mythological stories behind the ridge beasts, deepening my understanding of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

After passing the Hall of Supreme Harmony, we arrive at the Hall of Central Harmony. Small and exquisite, it features a square shape with pointed roofs at all four corners. Its interior, paved with gold bricks and decorated with vermilion lacquer and gilt, exudes exquisite elegance. The Hall of Central Harmony was where the emperor rested and practiced etiquette before proceeding to the Hall of Supreme Harmony for grand ceremonies. Compared to the grandeur of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony possesses a more reserved and solemn air. I lingered briefly outside the hall, taking in the tranquility and imagining the thoughts of the emperors of yesteryear as they rested here.

Next is the Hall of Preserving Harmony, once the venue for the highest level of the imperial examination, the Palace Examination. The Hall of Preserving Harmony is nine bays wide and five bays deep. It features golden dragon and imperial seal paintings, similar in style to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, yet possessing its own unique characteristics. Standing before the hall, I felt as if I could witness countless scholars, cherishing their dreams, diligently writing here, striving for their official careers. The imperial path stone behind the hall, intricately carved with cloud and dragon patterns, weighs over 200 tons and is carved from a single block of stone. The sheer effort required to carry it is truly astonishing. After touring the palaces along the central axis, I turned to the six eastern and western palaces. The architectural style of the six eastern palaces is relatively small, interconnected, and form an organic whole. I strolled through the various palaces, admiring the exquisite walls, doors, windows, and gardens. The ruins of the Western-style "Crystal Palace" at the Palace of Imperial Concubine Yanxi, though unfinished, were unique, standing out among the traditional buildings and imbuing them with a sense of history. Among the Western Six Palaces, I visited the Chuxiu Palace, once home to Empress Dowager Cixi. The palaces are lavishly decorated, with furniture, calligraphy, paintings, antiques, and other exhibits evoking the former nobility and luxury of their owners. Each palace is like a profound historical tome, revealing the vicissitudes of the Ming and Qing courts and the joys and sorrows of emperors and generals. The Treasure House and Clock and Watch Museum in the Forbidden City are absolutely not to be missed. The Treasure House is filled with a dazzling array of rare treasures. The phoenix crown, inlaid with gold filigree and jewels, is adorned with round pearls and gemstones, each shimmering with brilliance. The jade cabbage is lifelike, with katydids perched on its leaves seemingly poised to dance. And then there are the exquisite snuff bottles and delicate sachets—each one awe-inspiring testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient artisans. In the Clock and Watch Museum, clocks from around the world are displayed in a variety of shapes and exquisite craftsmanship. Some clocks not only accurately tell the time but also incorporate various mechanical devices, such as dancing figures and chirping birds, creating a sense of playfulness and artistry. These clocks bear witness to the cultural exchange and integration between East and West at the time and reflect the imperial court's love of novelty. During my visit to the Forbidden City, I also noticed many details. The ridge beasts on the palace roofs, with their diverse forms and strictly regulated numbers, are not only decorative but also symbols of good luck and protection from evil. The glazed tiles on the palace walls, weathered by centuries of wind and rain, retain their vibrant colors and unique luster. And then there are the ancient door nails, neatly arranged, each one seemingly telling a story of time.

As the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, the entire palace was shrouded in a golden glow, appearing even more mysterious and solemn. As I emerged from the Shenwu Gate, my heart was filled with awe and reluctance to leave this ancient palace. My visit to the Forbidden City not only allowed me to appreciate the charm of ancient Chinese architecture, but also to experience the profoundness of its history and culture. It is like a vivid history book, every page filled with stories, every corner imbued with wisdom. This visit was a journey through time and space, giving me a deeper understanding and love for the traditional culture of the Chinese nation.