Forbidden City And Beijing Hotels: Explore The Mystery Of Ancient China

The ancient city is visited by millions of tourists from all over the globe time after time. With that, Beijing hotels tenders that comfort you need for a fantastic stay while exploring the mystery of the ancient culture of China in its famous Forbidden City.

It takes about two hours to unmask the vastness of the palaces and courtyards of this historical city. Forbidden City spreads across an area of about 72 hectares with 90 palaces and courtyards, 980 buildings and 8, 704 rooms all in all. The city was constructed in 1406 during Emperor Yongle's four-year reign. The construction of the palace ended in 1420. The palace was built as a royal home for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and served as the political center of the government of China.

Story unfolds that the Forbidden City was designed similar to the palace of God in Heaven known as the Purple Palace which was thought to be the house of God. The emperor claimed that he is the son of Heaven and such claims led him to build this grand palace as his residence on earth. The palace was treated as a divine and holy place meant only for the son of heaven. And so it was forbidden to ordinary people and the reason why Forbidden City is named so.

Forbidden City is a very significant location in the development of Chinese structural designs and cultures. UNESCO, in 1987, declared the city a World Heritage Site as the "Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties". In this site rest the old civilization of China, its traditions, its culture, religion, and philosophies.

One enthralling site in the inner court of the Forbidden City was the Chinese Philosophy yin yang shown in the design of the three palaces. The Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Union and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility in the Inner court is said to be the home of the royalty. The Emperor dwells in the Palace of Heavenly Purity embodying Yang and the heaven and the Empress dwells in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility embodying Yin and the Earth. The hall in the middle is the Hall of Union that merges Yin and Yang to create harmony.

Forbidden City not only made manifest Chinese principles and philosophies but also reveals ancient China's culture and tradition and above all the majesty of Imperial power. No one should miss it. In just a minute strolling from one of Beijing hotels or a bus ride, Forbidden City offers a variety of artifacts and architecture that people would marvel about.

Discover the secrets behind the City that once forbidden but now revealed and at the same time enjoying the elegance of Beijing in Beijing hotels!

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

E. Larson is a long-time expatriate in Beijing, China. He works closely with the Redwall Hotel Beijing and many other beijing hotels. Go to his website on the Redwall Hotel Beijing here.

by: Efrenn Larson

Total views: 9 Word Count: 464 Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 Time: 3:29 PM - 0 comments

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