The Forbidden City is one of the most important palace buildings in Chinese history and one of the largest ancient palace complexes in the world. It is located in the center of Beijing and covers an area of about 720,000 square meters with more than nine thousand houses. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is an example of ancient Chinese palace architecture and a World Heritage Site. If you only have one day and want to learn as much as you can about the Forbidden City, here's a recommended itinerary for a day trip.
Morning
1. Tiananmen Square
Your tour of the Forbidden City begins at Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square is one of the largest city squares in the world and one of the symbols of China. You can admire iconic buildings such as the Tiananmen Tower and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall from the square.
2. Noon Gate
Out of Tiananmen Square, you will see the Noon Gate, which is the main gate of the Forbidden City. One of the main entrances to the Forbidden City, the Noon Gate is a huge citadel with beautifully carved dragons.
3. Palace Gate
Passing through the Noon Gate, you will enter the Palace Gate. The Palace Gate is the second gate of the Forbidden City and the main gate of the palace. It is a magnificent structure with nine huge bronze spikes, symbolizing the emperor's honorable status.
4. Yellow Glazed Tiles
Once you pass through the Palace Gate, you will see the yellow glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. The yellow glazed tiles are one of the symbols of the Forbidden City, they are made of yellow glaze and are very beautiful.
5. Hall of Supreme Harmony
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the main hall of the Forbidden City and one of the most important buildings. It was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held important ceremonies and where the emperors received foreign envoys.
6. The Hall of Central Harmony
The Hall of Central Harmony is the back hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and one of the core buildings of the Forbidden City. It was the place where the emperor dealt with political affairs and met with important officials.
7. The Hall of Bohol
The Hall of Bohol is the third great hall of the Forbidden City and where the emperor lived. It is a magnificent building with a lavishly decorated interior that showcases the opulence of ancient Chinese imperial families.
Afternoon
1. Hall of Mandarin
The Hall of Mandarin is the cultural treasure house of the Forbidden City, displaying a rich collection of culture and art. You can enjoy ancient paintings and calligraphy, ceramics, jade and other precious relics here.
2. Stone Drum Cultural Square
The Stone Drum Cultural Square is an open-air square in the Forbidden City, showcasing ancient Chinese music and dance performances. You can enjoy the charm of ancient music here.
3. Qianqing Palace
Qianqing Palace is one of the harem of the Forbidden City and one of the residences of the emperors. It is a beautifully constructed building with ornate interiors that showcase the lifestyle of the ancient Chinese imperial family.
4. Treasure Hall
The Treasure Hall is one of the exhibition halls of the Forbidden City, displaying a wealth of treasures and cultural relics. You can enjoy the precious collections of ancient jade, gold and precious stones here.
5. Retreat Palace
The Retreat Palace is the exit of the Forbidden City and the place where you end your trip to the Forbidden City. Here, you can buy some souvenirs and leave behind good memories of the Forbidden City.
End
The Forbidden City is one of the most important palace buildings in China's history, which carries rich history and culture. Through a day's tour, you can realize the magnificence and beauty of the Forbidden City. I hope you can have a pleasant day on the tour of the Forbidden City!