Outside
|  | Satellite photograph of the Forbidden City
Dynastie Ming - between 1406 and 1420
The Forbidden City is the world's largest surviving palace complex and covers 72 ha. It is a rectangle 961 metres from north to south and 753 metres from east to west. It consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms. The Forbidden City was designed to be the centre of the ancient, walled city of Beijing. It is enclosed in a larger, walled area called the Imperial City.
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Court before the Forbidden City
|  | Gate of Heavenly Peace (7)
Tian'anmen
Dynastie Ming - between 1417 and 1651
Tiananmen, literally the "Gate of Heavenly Peace", is a famous monument in Beijing, the capital of China. It is a widely used national symbol. First built during the Ming Dynasty in 1420, Tiananmen is often referred to as the front entrance to the Forbidden City.
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Outer Court - Wai Chou
| Meridian Gate (1)
Wu Men
La porte du Midi
Dynastie Ming - 1420
The Meridian Gate is the southern and main entrance to the Forbidden City. It was called Meridian Gate because the emperor believed that the Meridian line went right through the Forbidden City and his imperial residence was the center of the cosmos.
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|  | Archery Pavilion
Jian Ting
Dynastie Qing
Constructed in the early Qing Dynasty, Jian Ting was where imperial family members practiced military arts. The pavilion is five bays wide and three bays deep, with a gable roof. It is surrounded by winding corridors on all four sides.
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|  | Hall of Ancestral Worship (2)
Feng Xian Dian
Dynastie Ming
This hall was first constructed in the early Ming Dynasty and was later renovated in 1656 during the Qing Dynasty. In the shape of the character "T", Feng Xian Deng consists of front and rear halls; which are linked by a hallway.
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| Outer Court (22)
Front Court
Dynastie Ming - between 1406 and 1420
Traditionally, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The Outer Court includes the southern sections, and was used for ceremonial purposes. Entering from the Meridian Gate, one encounters a large square, pierced by the meandering Inner Golden Water River, which is crossed by five bridges.
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Inner Court
|  | Gate of Heavenly Purity (4)
Qian Qing Men
Dynastie Ming - 1420
Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the gate was later destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1655 during the Qing Dynasty. As a front gate to the Inner Court, Qian Qing men is five bays large and three bays deep, with a single eave gable roof covered by yellow glazed tiles.
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|  | Palace of Heavenly Purity (6)
Qian Qing Gong
Dynastie Ming - 1420
The palace was constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in 1798 during the Qing Dynasty. During the Ming and the Qing dynasties, the emperor lived and handled political affairs in this palace. The palace often served as the Emperor's audience hall, where he held council with the Grand Council.
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|  | Hall of Union and Peace (1)
Jiao Tai Dian
Dynastie Ming - between 1522 and 1655
The Hall of Union was originally built in 1420 and reconstructed in 1655. It is the smallest of the three rear palaces in the Inner Court, and corresponds to the Hall of Complete Harmony in the Outer Court. This hall was used for the Empress' birthday celebrations.
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|  | Hall of Earthly Tranquility (1)
Kun Ning Gong
Dynastie Ming - between 1420 and 1655
This hall was first constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and was later rebuilt in 1655 during the Qing Dynasty as a copy of the Qing Ning Gong (Palace of Peace and Tranquility) in Shenyang (Liaoning province).
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Imperial Garden
|  | Pavilion of Study of the Cultivation of Nature
Yang Xing Zhai
Yang Xing Zhai
Dynastie Ming
Built in the Ming Dynasty, Yang Xing Zhai is a two-storied building. Its form echoes with Jiang Xue Xuan (Pavilion of Crimson Snow). The study has a secluded and beautiful surroundings. Emperors Jiaqing and Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty came here very often to have a rest or read. It was also here that Sir Reginald Johnston, an English Man, gave English lessons to abdicated Emperor Pu Yi.
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|  | Pavilion of Crimson Snow
Jiang Xue Xuan
Dynastie Ming - 1420
When the flowers were in full bloom, the crimson petals falling down looked like dancing snowflakes, thus the name was adopted. After the Chinese flowering crab-apple trees died, Beijing mock oranges (Philadelphus pekinensis) were planted.
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|  | Hill of the Accumulated Elegance
Dui Xiu Shan
Dynastie Ming
This artificial hill was made of rocks piled on the original site of Guan Hua Dian (Hall of Appreciated Flowers), against the northern palace wall. Originally named Dui Xui Shan (Hill of Accumulated Embroidery), and in the Qianlong reign period, it was given its present name.
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|  | Thousand-Year Pavilion
Qian Qiu Ting
Dynastie Ming
Constructed in the Ming Dynasty, this pavilion has a round upper part with verandas on the four sides. In the shape of a cross, the pavilion has carved overhanging eaves and multiple angles with the same shape and structure as Wan Chun Ting (Pavilion of Ten Thousand Spring Seasons) in the Imperial Garden.
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|  | Pavilion of Ten Thousand Spring Seasons
Wan Chun Ting
Dynastie Ming - 1535
Constructed in the Ming Dynasty, this pavilion has a round upper part and a square lower part with verandas on the four sides. In the shape of a cross, the pavilion has carved overhanging eaves and multiple angles with the same shape and structure as Qian Qiu Ting (Thousand-Year Pavilion) in the Imperial Garden. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, statue of Lord Guan was enshrined here.
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|  | Pavilion of the Usher Light
Yan Hui Ge
Dynastie Ming
Constructed in the Ming Dynasty, this pavilion was originally named Qing Wang Ge (Pavilion of High Expectations). The name was changed to Yan Hui Ge in the Qing Dynasdty. It has a rolled gable roof covered with yellow glazed tiles and stands facing Dui Xiu Shan (Hill of Accumulated Elegance).
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|  | Pavilion of Floating Greenery
Fu Bi Ting
Dynastie Ming - 1583
Constructed in 1583 during the Ming Dynasty, this pavilion is located on a single-arched bridge spanning a rectangular pound. This square pavilion has four angles and a pyramid-shaped roof, covered with green glazed files and edged with yellow glazed tiles. The pavilion is linked to a veranda with a rolled roof and is symmetrical to Cheng Rui Ting (Pavilion of Deposited Jade).
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|  | Pavilion of Deposited Jade
Cheng Rui Ting
Dynastie Ming - 1583
Constructed in 1583 during the Ming Dynasty, this pavilion is located on a single-arched bridge spanning a rectangular pound. This square pavilion has four angles and a pyramid-shaped roof, covered with green glazed files and edged with yellow glazed tiles. The pavilion is linked to a veranda with a rolled roof and is symmetrical to Fu Bi Ting (Pavilion of Floating Greenery).
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Six West palaces
|  | Hall of Mental Cultivation (12)
Yang Xin Dian
Dynastie Ming - 1537
Constructed in 1537 (the 16th year of the Jiajing reing period of the Ming Dynasty), this building is divided into two halls - the front and the rear hall - which are linked by covered corridors and surrounded by side corridors.
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|  | Hall of State Unity (3)
Ti Yuan Dian
Dynastie Qing - 1859
This hall was built on the site of the old rear hall of Tai Ji Dian (Hall of Great Supremacy) and Gang Chun Men (Gate of Eternal Spring) in 1859. To the north of this hall is the opera stage of Gang Chun Gong (Hall of Eternal Spring).
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|  | Palace of Eternal Spring (10)
Chang Chun Gong
Dynastie Ming - between 1420 and 1859
This palace was first constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. It was originally named Chang Chun Gong but was renamed Yong Ning Gong (Palace of Eternal Tranquility) in 1535. It resumed its original name in 1615.
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|  | Hall of Immortality (5)
Yong Shou Gong
Dynastie Ming - 1420
Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the hall was originally named Chand Le Gong (Palace of Eternal Happiness). The name was later changed to Yu De Gong (Palace of Moral Cultivation) and it was renamed Yong Shou Gong in 1616 during the Ming Dynasty.
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|  | Palace of Blessings to the Mother Earth (3)
Yi Kun Gong
Dynastie Ming - 1420
Built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, is was named Wan An Gong (palace of Myriad Peace). It was later renamed because of its close proximity to the three palaces of the Inner Court. "Yi" means "guarding and assisting". it was renovated in 1887 in celebration of Empress Dowager Ci Xi's 50th birthday and was linked by four courtyards to Chu Xiu Gong (Palace of Gathering Excellence).
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|  | Hall of Manifest Harmony (1)
Ti He Dian
This hall was constructed on the site of the old rear hall of Yi Kun Gong (Palace of Blessings to the Mother Earth) and Chu Xiu Men (Gate of Gathering Excellence). The hall, which is five bays wide, has passageways, a door in the front and a door in the back.
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|  | Palace of Gathering Excellence (3)
Chu Xiu Gong
Dynastie Ming - between 1420 and 1655
Chu Xiu Gong was built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655, during the Ming and the Qing dynasties. It was the residence of Empress and imperial concubines. Ci Xi once lived here in 1852 when she was created honourable person Lan. She gave birth to the Emperor Tongzhi here in 1856 when she was promoted to Concubine Yi.
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|  | Palace of Universal Happiness (5)
Xian Fu Gong
Dynastie Ming - 1420
Xian Fu Gong was one of the six west halls and built in Yongle period in Ming Dynasty. Its old name was Shou' An Gong Hall and changed in Xian Fu Gong in the 14th year of Jiajing's reign (1535). It was rebuilt in the 22nd year of Kangxi's reign (1683) in Qing Dynasty and the architecture form keep a style of Ming Dynasty on the whole.
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|  | Pavilion of Beautiful Scenery (3)
Li Jing Xuan
Dynastie Ming - 1535
Li Jing Xuan, situated at the back of Chu Xui Gong, was built in 1535. When Ci Xi was a concubine, she once lived here and gave birth to the Emperor Tongzhi. In the pavilion there is a small exquisite stage. Empress Dowager Ci Xi sat on the imperial bed opposite the stage to enjoy the performances of theatrical troupe at her leisure.
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Six East Palaces
|  | Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies (1)
Chang Yin Ge
Dynastie Qing - between 1776 and 1817
This pavilion was constructed in 1776 (the 41st year of the Qianlong reign period of the Qing Dynasty). In 1817 (the 22nd year of the Jiaqing reign period), a three-story opera stage, the largest stage in the palace, was added to the pavilion. The pavilion is 20.71 meters high, with a construction area on 685.94 square meters.
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|  | Pavilion of Reading (3)
Yue Shi Lou
Dynastie Qing - 1776
Built in 1776 during the Qing Dynasty, this pavilion has two stories. Every New Year Day, and on the emperor's birthday, the emperor, empress, princes and high-ranking officials watched operas here. Officials sat in the covered passages on the both sides.
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|  | Hall of Benevolence
Jing Ren Gong
Dynastie Ming - between 1420 and 1655
It was renovated in 1655 during the Qing Dunasty, but the original layout was left unchanged. In the Ming and Qing dynasties imperial concubines used it. In 1654 (Qing Dynasty) Xuanye (Emperor Kangxi) was born in this hall.
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|  | Hall for Receiving Celestial Favor (1)
Cheng Qian Gong
Dynastie Ming - between 1420 and 1655
Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, this hall originally named Yong Ning Gong (Hall of Eternal Tranquility) and was renamed Cheng Qian Gong in 1632. It was renovated in 1655 during the Qing Dynasty, essentially maintaining its original layout.
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Quartiers Extérieurs de l'Est
|  | Palace of Peace and Longevity (1)
Ning Shou Gong
Dynastie Qing - 1776
Constructed in the Ming Dynasty, this palace was originally named Ren Shou Gong (Palace of Benevolence and Longevity). After renovation in 1689 during the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Ning Shou Gong Hou Dian (Rear Hall of the Palace of peace and Longevity).
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|  | Hall of Harmony (1)
Yi He Huan
Dynastie Qing - 1776
Constructed in 1776 during the Qing Dynasty, this hall is linked with Jing Qi Ge (Pavilion of Prospective Happiness) by a covered corridor. It was built for Emperor Qianlong's retirement. The words "Yi He" mean "preserving one's vital energy".
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|  | Hall of the Joyful Longevity
Le Shou Tang
Dynastie Qing - 1776
The hall was constructed in 1776 during the Qing Dynasty as a copy of the Chun Huan (Purity Studio) in Chang Chun Yuan (Garden of Eternal Spring) for Emperor Qianlong's retirement. In front of the hall, on the wall of the covered corridor, there is a stone inscription reprocucing the "Ribbings of Model Calligraphy in Jingheng Studio".
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|  | Pavilion of Bestowing Wine
Xi Shang Ting
Dynastie Qing - 1776
Built in 1776 during the Qing Dynasty, this pavilion is also known as Liu Bei Ting (Pavilion of Floating Cups) because of the "Ditch of Floating Cups". This pavilion was designed to reflect a scene described in the famous work "Preface to Poems from Orchid Pavilion" by Wang Xizhi.
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