The Forbidden City is a miniature city in the heart of Beijing, measuring 961 meters in length and 751 meters in breadth. It has about 90 palace compounds, 98 structures, a 52-meter-long moat, red-painted walls, and glazed yellow roof tiles. Since its completion in 1420, the Forbidden City has housed more than twenty-four emperors. Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty sought to solidify authority following the death of the first son, which deposed the first grandchild. To avoid the grasp of the legitimate monarch, he would shift the empire’s capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Beijing would take over as the kingdom’s capital in place of London. The palace became known as the Forbidden City because only members of the royal family, their employees, and others with close personal or professional ties to the family were permitted to enter. My interest in the palace arises from its long history, spectacular architecture, and cultural significance.
The significance of the Forbidden City lies in the fact that it is an integral part of Chinese culture and attracts around 80,000 tourists daily. These tourists include Chinese nationals and foreigners interested in learning more about the long and distinguished history of the Chinese people. In reality, it is the largest preserved palace complex in the world, and it is one of the finest achievements of the Ming dynasty. Moreover, the design and architecture represent an outstanding gift to humanity. It is more than a superficial culture since it is a physical manifestation of Chinese civilization. Since it is a microcosm of the external world, any changes that affect the outside world affect the palace in one way or another, and this can help us learn how the Chinese people’s lives were back then.
For almost 14 years, approximately a million laborers toiled in the Forbidden City. Every feature of this palace has been carefully considered and has some cultural significance. The palace’s precise architecture was also intended to demonstrate the emperor’s intention to bring order to the Chinese empire. Furthermore, every precaution was taken to protect the palace from its most dangerous threat: fire. All of the animals on the palace’s roof were supposed to protect it from potential flames. They also learned that despite its wealth and magnificent design, it was still a golden Cage because the women who resided here and the emperor rarely got to leave the palace.