RSSChina 101: From Beijing Hotels to the Forbidden Courtyards
Dec 22
China Asia, beijing, China, culture, Forbidden City, Hotels, travel, vacation No Comments
China, the sleeping Dragon of Asia, is now opening its doors to the world. Most people would probably think of the Chinese people as strict and stiff because of their political background. But far from the racial issues, lie a rich culture that is yet to be uncovered.
The Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China are the most visited tourist spots in Beijing, the capital city. From afar, one could witness from the remarkable beauty of the Forbidden City during the afternoon with its cool breeze. Its bright red walls and shining golden roofs superbly echo China’s symbol of long-aged supremacy and greatness.
Beijing, as a growing social and economic power, has a number of hotels to accommodate its guest and visitors who are enthusiastic about Asian culture and dining. There are also a good number of hotels in Beijing that are situated near these destination sites, making it easier for tourist to make good use of their time while enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.
When visiting the Forbidden City of China, it is advisable to go there on weekdays to avoid crowding on weekends. It would be a nice idea to have a tourist guide during the tour for you to be able to appreciate fully the history of the place together with the one of a kind architectural design and structure of the known fortress.
Considered as the world’s largest palace, The Forbidden City, locally known as Gugong or Zinjincheng, has an area that covers 0.3 square miles or 720,000 square meters of land. There are only four gates that connect the palace to the outside world, the Tiananmen Gate, which is located at the southern end of the complex, serves as the main gate to the palace.
Upon entering the Tiananmen Gate, there will be an added gate known as the Meridian or the Interior Gate which leads you to center of the palace. Further than the interior gate, is a huge piazza that leads to the Gate of the Supreme Harmony.
The two divisions of the Imperial Court of Harmony are the Inner Court, which serves as the quarters of the existing members of the royal family, and the Outer Court that holds the largest wooden structure of China, the Supreme Harmony Hall.
In the ancient times, the Hall of Supreme Harmony played a vital role in molding the rich culture and tradition of the Chinese people. This hall became a witness of China’s most important historic gathering like enthroning a king and celebrating marriages from the royal family.
The hall is surrounded with a lot of symbols, and one of the most distinct symbols that would surely get your attention is the dragon. Dragons are mystical creatures that are said to be symbols of imperial power and supremacy. Beyond this hall lies another important structure, The Midway Hall of Harmony. This hall is where the emperor shows himself to the public to discuss matters that are relevant to his rule.
The Hall of Heavenly Purity houses the emperor, his eunuch, and some concubines. Eunuchs are political advisers to the emperor, it is said that these advisers were forced to get their testicles remove to satisfy the emperor’s security with regards to his position in the dynasty. During the Ming dynasty, there was a slight change in the room assignment, instead of the emperor and empress sleeping together, they were separated by another hall.
Finally, The Imperial Garden, where the Hall of Mental Cultivation and the Palace of Tranquil Longevity is located. This Garden lodges the overwhelming artifacts and astounding remnants of China’s civilization which proves its passion for excellence and perfection.
China, without a doubt, has secured a very special place in history. She has pioneered most of the world’s technology and techniques. Today, China is inviting both foreigners and locals to a unique and exciting experience. The amazing blend of culture, history, and technology brings a new flavor to the table. From Beijing Hotels to the courtyards of the Forbidden City, this city is one place that should never be missed in a person’s lifetime.
E. Larson is a long-time expatriate in Beijing, China. He works closely with the Xijiao Beijing Hotel and many other hotels in Beijing. Check out his website about the Xijiao Beijing Hotel here.
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