Forbidden City by Sharrie
Proceed to FORBIDDEN CITY (ZI JIN CHENG) after lunch (if you've a good guide he'll know where to take you for a good meal nearby and perhaps even back to the hotel for a siesta). We were fortunate to have chosen the conveniently located but great Palace Hotel (of the Peninsula chain) at Wang Fu Jing. This magnificent & awe-inspiring seat of power during the Ming & Qing dynasties (1368-1911) is located in the center of Beijing. Extending 750 meters from east to west & 960 meters from north to south, the 720,000 sq meter city is the largest palatial complex in the world!The Forbidden City is divided into southern & northern parts, the former serving as emperors' work area & the latter as their living quarter.
The 3 most imposing structures in the work area are:
1) Tai He Dian (Hall of Supreme Harmony).
2) Zhong He Dian (Hall of Medium Harmony).
3) Bao He Dian (Hall of Protective Harmony).
The 3 cover a combined area of 85,000 sq meters. The most magnificent being the Hall of Supreme Harmony which is 60.1 m wide & 33.33 m deep & 35.05 m high.
Hall Of Supreme Harmony(Tai He Dian) . The hall contains the splendidly decorated guilded imperial throne. This is where coronations, imperial weddings and New Year celebrations were held. Total area: 2000 sq. m.
Hall of Medium Harmony (Zhong He Dian) is where the emperors rested before ceremonies & receiving officials.
Hall of Protective Harmony (Bao He Dian), the northernmost structure, is where the emperors gave banquets & interviewed in person successful candidates of imperial examinations.