Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ................. 11
About the Forbidden City ....................................... 15
A Tour of the Forbidden City ................................... 22
The Central Route of the Outer Court ........................... 22
Wumen (Meridian Gate) - the main entrance to the Forbidden
City ........................................................ 22
Taihemen (Gate of Supreme Harmony) - where Ming emperors
heard ministerialreports .................................... 25
Taihemen Square - a fengshui square ......................... 27
Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) - a sacred place where
emperors conducted grand ceremonies ......................... 29
Taihedian Sqaure - the largest square in the Forbidden
City ........................................................ 33
Zhonghedian (Hall of Complete Harmony) - where emperors
rested briefly en route to sessions of court ................ 35
Baohedian (Hall of Preserving Harmony) - where the Palace
Examinations were held during the Qing Dynasty .............. 36
The Dragons-and-Clouds Stone Carving - the largest in the
Forbidden City .............................................. 39
The Central Route of the Inner Court ........................... 40
Qianqingmen (Gate of Celestial Purity) - the dividing line
between the Outer and Inner Courts of the Forbidden City .... 40
The Council of State - a confidential place in the
Forbidden City .............................................. 42
Qianqinggong (Hall of Celestial Purity) - an important
administrative office during the Ming and Qing dynasties .... 43
Jiaotaidian (Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union) -
the site of birthday celebrations for empresses ............. 47
Kunninggong (Hall of Terrestrial Tranquility) -
a Shamanist shrine .......................................... 50
The Imperial Garden - a private retreat for the imperial
family ...................................................... 53
Qin'andian (Hall of Imperial Peace) - the only religious
building on the axis of the Forbidden City .................. 55
Jiangxuexuan (Crimson Snow Pavilion) - a nanmu wood
structure in the Imperial Garden ............................ 57
Yangxingzhai (Hall of Temperament Cultivation) - where
Puyi studied English ........................................ 58
Famous Pavilions in the Imperial Garden - Wanchun, Fubi,
Qianqiu and Chengrui ........................................ 59
Shunzhenmen (Smooth and Pure Gate) - the north entrance of
the Imperial Garden ......................................... 61
Shenwumen (Gate of Divine Might) - the rear exit from the
Imperial Palace ............................................. 62
The Eastern Route of the Outer Court ........................... 64
The Target Practice Pavilion - where the imperial family
practiced archery in the palace ............................. 64
The Eastern Route of the Inner Court ........................... 65
Fengxiandian (Hall of Ancestral Worship) - a palace shrine
dedicated to imperial ancestors ............................. 65
Zhaigong (Hall of Abstinence) - where the emperor practiced
rituals of abstinence ....................................... 67
Jingrengong (Hall of Great Benevolence) - the birthplace
of Emperor Kangxi ........................................... 68
Yanxigong (Hall of Lasting Happiness) - a crystal palace
in the Forbidden City ....................................... 69
Chengqiangong (Hall of Celestial Favor) - the birthplace
of Emperor Xianfeng ......................................... 71
Yonghegong (Hall of Eternal Harmony) - the birthplace of
Emperor Yongzheng ........................................... 72
Zhongcuigong (Hall of Purity) - where Empress Dowager
Ci'an died .................................................. 74
Jingyanggong (Hall of Great Brilliance) - a library in
the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty .................. 75
The Ningshougong (Hall of Tranquil Longevity) Area - built
for the retirement of Emperor Qianlong ...................... 76
Huangjimen (Gate of Imperial Supremacy) - the most
beautiful glazed-tile gate in the Forbidden City ............ 77
The Nine-Dragon Screen Wall - one of China's three
surviving ancient nine-dragon screen walls .................. 78
Ningshoumen (Gate of Tranquil Longevity) - the top-status
gate in the Inner Court of the Forbidden City ............... 79
Huangjidian (Hall of Imperial Supremacy) - a hall second
only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the architectural
hierarchy ................................................... 81
Ningshougong (Hall of Tranquil Longevity) - an important
building featuring Manchu customs ........................... 82
Yangxingdian (Pavilion of Temperament Cultivation) -
living quarters for the retired emperor ..................... 83
Changyinge (Pavilion of Flowing Music) - the biggest
theater stage in the Qing court ............................. 85
Leshoutang (Hall of Joyful Longevity) - Empress Dowager
Cixi's living quarters ...................................... 87
Yihexuan (Pavilion of Sustained Harmony) - where Emperor
Qianlong read and spent leisure time ........................ 90
Jingqige (Pavilion of Great Auspiciousness) - where
Concubine Zhen was kept confined ............................ 91
Ningshougong (Hall of Tranquil Longevity) Garden - a fine
example of palace gardening ................................. 93
The Western Route of the Outer Court ........................... 94
Wuyingdian (Hall of Martial Valor) - where the insurgent
leader Li Zicheng proclaimed himself emperor ................ 94
Yudetang (Hall of Virtue Cultivation) - the bathhouse of
Xiangfei (Fragrant Concubine) ............................... 96
Xihuamen (West Flowery Gate) - the western entrance of the
Forbidden City .............................................. 98
The Western Route of the Inner Court ........................... 99
Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation) - the center of
supreme power of the Qing Empire ............................ 99
Yongshougong (Hall of Eternal Longevity) - a residence for
empresses and concubines during the Ming and Qing
dynasties .................................................. 102
Taijidian (Hall of Supremacy) - a residence for empresses
and concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties .......... 104
Yikungong (Hall of the Queen Consort) - where Empress
Dowager Cixi's 50lh birthday was celebrated ................ 105
Changchungong (Hall of the Eternal Spring) - Dowager
Cixi's living quarters ..................................... 107
Chuxiugong (Hall of Gathering Elegance) - the birthplace
of Emperor Tongzhi ......................................... 108
Xianfugong (Hall of Universal Happiness) - residence of
empresses and concubines during the Ming and Qing
dynasties .................................................. 110
The Palace Walls and Palace Moat .............................. 112
The Palace Moat - the Forbidden City's first line of
defense .................................................... 112
The Palace Walls - the Forbidden City's second line of
defense .................................................... 112
The Watch Towers - hybrid tower-non-tower structures ....... 113
Permanent Displays of the Palace Museum .................... 115
Palace Halls Kept as They Were in the Old Days ............. 116
Places for Temporary Thematic Exhibitions .................. 116
Opening Hours Admission Transportation ........................ 116
The Temple of Heaven .......................................... 117
About the Temple of Heaven .................................... 120
A Tour of the Temple of Heaven ................................ 125
Yuanqiutan (Circular Mound Altar) - the altar for
emperors to pray to heaven ................................. 125
The Heaven's Heart Stone - where the emperor stood while
reading the ceremonial message ............................. 128
The Furnace for Burning Sacrifices ......................... 129
Huangqiongyu (Imperial Vault of Heaven) - for storing
spirit tablets for use during heaven-worshiping
ceremonies ................................................. 130
The Triple-Sounding Stones - one of the three acoustic
miracles of the Temple of Heaven ........................... 133
The Echo Wall - a famous acoustic attraction ............... 134
The Nine-Dragon Cypress - the oldest cypress in urban
Beijing .................................................... 134
Danbi (Red Walkway) Bridge - the path leading to the
Heavenly Palace ............................................ 135
Qinianmen (Gate of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest) -
the main entrance to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest ... 136
Qigutan (Altar of Prayer for Grain) - a sacred place where
Ming and Qing emperors conducted grand ceremonies for
praying for grain .......................................... 137
Qiniandian (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest) - the symbol
of the Temple of Heaven .................................... 138
Huangqiandian (Hall of Zenith) - the bedchamber dedicated
to the heavenly god ........................................ 143
The 72-Bay Continuous Building - the passage for
delivering sacrifices ...................................... 143
The Slaughterhouse - where sacrificial cattle were
slaughtered ................................................ 144
The Double-Ring (Longevity) Pavilion - built by Emperor
Qianlong for his mother .................................... 145
The Fasting Palace - a small imperial palace in the
Temple of Heaven ........................................... 147
Shenyueshu (Divine Music Administration) - a royal
organization for playing ancient music ..................... 148
Opening Hours Admission Bus Routes ............................ 152
The Summer Palace ............................................. 153
About the Summer Palace ....................................... 156
A Tour of the Summer Palace ................................... 163
Court Area .................................................... 163
Donggongmen (East Gate) - the main entrance to the Summer
Palace ..................................................... 163
Renshoudian (Hall of Benevolence and Longevity) where -
emperors attended to administration ........................ 164
Yulantang (Hall of Jade Ripples) - where Emperor Guangxu
was placed under house arrest .............................. 166
Yiyunguan (Hall of Fragrant Grass) - the residence of
Empress Longyu ............................................. 167
Deheyuan (Garden of Virtue and Harmony) - where Empress
Dowager Cixi watched performances of Peking Opera .......... 169
Leshoutang (Hall of Joyous Longevity) - the residence of
Empress Dowager Cixi ....................................... 172
Longevity Kitchens - the private kitchens of Empress
Dowager Cixi ............................................... 174
Yongshouzhai (Eternal Longevity Chamber) - the residence
of the Imperial Eunuch Li Lianying ......................... 174
Front-Hill Area ............................................... 176
The Long Corridor - the longest gallery in the world ....... 176
Paiyunmen (Gate for Dispelling Clouds) - main gate of the
Paiyundian ................................................. 177
Paiyundian (Hall for Dispelling Clouds) - the place for
celebrating Empress Dowager Cixi's birthday ................ 178
Foxiangge (Pavilion of Buddhist Incense) - the landmark
building of the Summer Palace .............................. 180
Zhihuihai (Sea of Wisdom) - the Buddhist world on the
highest point of Longevity Hill ............................ 182
Baoyunge (Pavilion of Precious Clouds) - a cast bronze
religious structure ........................................ 182
Tingliguan (Hall for Listening to Orioles) - a small
theater for Empress Dowager Cixi ........................... 184
Huazhongyou (Strolling through a Scroll Painting) -
a group of buildings lined with Chinese landscape
paintings .................................................. 185
Zhuanlunzang (Revolving Sutra Repository) - a religious
structure where Qing emperors and expresses came to
attend religious services and recite sutras ................ 186
Kunming Lake Area ............................................. 189
Yelü Chucai Temple - the Tomb of one of the founding
fathers of the Yuan Dynasty ................................ 189
Zhichunting (Harbinger of Spring Pavilion) - the earliest
herald of spring ........................................... 189
Wenchangge (Pavilion of Cultural Prosperity) -
a classical city-gate structure ............................ 190
Bronze Ox - a cultural highlight on the eastern causeway ... 191
Kuoruting (Pavilion of Broad Vistas) - the largest ancient
pavilion in China .......................................... 192
17-Arch Bridge - the biggest bridge in the Summer Palace ... 192
Nanhudao (South Lake Islet) - the biggest islet in
Kunming Lake ............................................... 193
Xiuyiqiao (Wavy Tapestry Bridge) - the Number One Bridge
on Kunming Lake ............................................ 194
Xiti (West Causeway) - the green necklace of Kunming Lake .. 195
Jingminglou (Bright Scenery Mansion) - the largest building
complex on the West Causeway ............................... 197
Qingyanfang (Boat of Purity and Ease or Marble Boat) -
the largest stone boat in China ............................ 197
Xingqiao Open Pavilion Bridge .............................. 198
Suyunyan (Cloud Entertaining Eaves) - a city-gate
structure .................................................. 199
Rear-Hill and Back-Lake Area .................................. 200
Catur-dvipa (Four Inhabited Continents) - a group of
mysterious religious buildings ............................. 200
Duobao (Multi-Treasure) Glazed Pagoda - the most
treasured glazed pagoda in the Qing Dynasty ................ 201
Suzhou Street - Business street of the Qing Dynasty ........ 203
Xiequyuan (Garden of Harmonious Interests) - the Garden
within the Garden .......................................... 204
Opening Hours Admission Bus Routes ......................... 206
Jingshan Park ................................................. 207
About Jingshan Park ........................................... 210
A Tour of Jingshan Park ....................................... 213
Qiwanglou (Beautiful View Tower) - where the imperial
court paid homage to Confucius ............................. 213
Guanmiaoting (Pavilion of Wonderful Views) - one of the
five major pavilions on Jingshan Hill ...................... 215
Zhoushangting (Pavilion of Surrounding Views) - one of
the five major pavilions ................................... 215
Wanchunting (Everlasting Spring Pavilion) - central
pavilion with the best view ................................ 215
Fulanting (Panoramic View Pavilion) - one of the five
major pavilions ............................................ 215
Jifangting (Fragrance Gathering Pavilion) - one of the
five major pavilions ....................................... 216
Shouhuangdian (Imperial Longevity Hall) Building
Cluster - the hall for paying homage to ancestors .......... 216
The spot where Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself ............ 217
Opening Hours Admission Bus Routes ............................ 218
Beihai Park ................................................... 219
About Beihai Park ............................................. 222
A Tour of Beihai Park ......................................... 225
Jade Flowery Islet Scenic Area ................................ 225
Jade Flowery Islet - the fairy hill on the lake ............ 225
Yong'anqiao (Bridge of Eternal Peace) - a pathway to the
southern bank .............................................. 226
Yong'ansi (Temple of Eternal Peace) - a place for
emperors and empresses to worship .......................... 227
White Dagoba - the landmark building of Beihai Park ........ 229
Qiongdaochunyin (Jade Flowery Islet in Shady Springtime)
Tablet - inscriptions by the emperor ....................... 232
Covered Corridor - a colorful ribbon skirting the
northern part of the hill .................................. 232
Yuegulou (Hall of Ancient Scripts) - a treasure
collection of the most famous ancient calligraphic works ... 233
Xianren Chenglupan (Immortal's Plate for Containing Dews) .. 234
Eastern Bank Scenic Area ...................................... 236
Haopujtan (Haopu Creek Garden) - a garden within a garden .. 236
Xiancantan (Altar of the Goddess of Silkworms) - where
the Empress and concubines offered sacrifices to the
Goddess of Silkworms ....................................... 237
Northern Bank Scenic Area ..................................... 238
Jingxinzhai (Peaceful Heart Garden) - a garden within
a garden ................................................... 238
Xitianfanjing (Hall of Western Paradise) ................... 240
Dacizhenrudian (Hall of Great Mercy and the True and
Genuine Suchness) - the main hall of the Halt of Heavenly
Kings ...................................................... 241
The Iron Screen Wall - a legacy of the Yuan Dynasty ........ 241
Chengguantang (Hall of Clear Vision) - where eunuchs
stood on duty during the Ming Dynasty ...................... 243
The Hall of Quick Snowfall ................................. 243
Nine-Dragon Screen Wall .................................... 246
Five Dragon Pavilions - structures on water ................ 247
Chanfusi (Temple for Bestowing Blessings) .................. 248
Fangdian (Square Hall) - China's largest extant wooden
pavilion-style structure ................................... 249
Round City Area ............................................... 251
Tuancheng (Round City) - an imperial garden raised high .... 251
Chengguangdian (Hall for Receiving Light) - the main
structure of the Round City ................................ 252
White Jade Buddha - the biggest jade Buddha image in
Beijing .................................................... 252
White Robe General - shady place of cool ................... 254
Opening Hours Admission Bus Routes ............................ 254
Yuanmingyuan Garden ........................................... 255
About Yuanmingyuan Garden ..................................... 258
A Tour of the Yuanmingyuan .................................... 264
Jianbiting (Pavilion in a Blue Mirror) ..................... 264
Bieyoudongtian (Palace of Unique Beauty) ................... 264
Jiexiushanfang (Enchanting View Cottage) ................... 265
Pengdaoyaotai (Immortal Abode on Penglai Island)............ 265
Haiyuekaijin (Sea of Magnanimity) .......................... 266
Hanjingtang (Scripture-Conservation Hall) .................. 266
Shizilin (Lion Forest Garden) .............................. 268
Xiyanglou (European-style Palaces) - the Versailles of
China ...................................................... 268
Xieqiqu (Harmonious Wonder) - a European-style fountain .... 269
Huanghuazhen (Labyrinth) - a European-style maze ........... 271
Fangwaiguan (Belvedere) - a place for the religious
observances of the Uygur concubine ......................... 272
Haiyantang (Hall of National Peace) - the biggest
European-style garden ...................................... 272
Yuanyingguan (Immense Ocean Observatory) - the most
magnificent ................................................ 273
European-style scenic spot
Guanshuifa (Throne for Viewing the Waterworks) ............. 276
Opening Hours Admission Bus Routes ............................ 276
Yonghegong Lama Temple
About Yonghegong Lama Temple .................................. 282
A Tour of Yonghegong .......................................... 287
Archway group and screen wall - a group of structures at
the southern extremity of the Yonghegong ................... 287
Zhaotaimen (Gate of Radiance and Peace) - the main gate
of the Yonghegong .......................................... 288
Yonghemen (Gate of Harmony and Peace) - the first major
hall of Yonghegong ......................................... 288
Giant Bronze Ding - one of the three rarities of Beijing ... 290
Imperial Stele Pavilion - inscribed in four languages ...... 292
Bronze Mount Sumeru - a rare artwork ....................... 292
Daxiongbaodian (Mahavira Hall) - the main hall of
Yonghegong ................................................. 294
Yongyoudian (Hall of Everlasting Protection) - where the
coffin of deceased Emperor Yongzheng was placed ............ 296
Falundian (Hall of the Wheel of the Law) - a place for
reading scriptures and conducting religious services ....... 298
Sandalwood 500-Arhats Hill - one of the three rarities of
Yonghegong ................................................. 300
Life Story of Sakyamuni - a large mural .................... 300
Wanfuge (Pavilion of 10 Thousand Happinesses) - the
tallest structure in Yonghegong ............................ 300
Sandalwood Giant Buddha - one of the three rarities of
Yonghegong ................................................. 302
Opening Hours Admission Bus Routes ............................ 302
Appendix: Emperors of the Ming Dynasty & Emperors of the
Qing Dynasty .................................................. 303
|
