Recreational Holidays

Hotels in Beijing around the Forbidden City of China

The People’s Republic of China, home to the world’s largest population, carries with her a rich culture and a continuing tradition wrought about by 5,000 years of history. Throughout this time, many characteristics of their culture was preserved and enhanced. One of these and probably the most visible is their architecture.

The Forbidden City, one of China’s most sought after man-made wonders, was the Chinese imperial palace of the Ming down to the Qing dynasty. Since the spot is centrally-located, many hotels in Beijing abound, making it more practical for tourists to include this site in their daily itineraries.

As the world’s most expansive and existing palace complex at 72 hectares, the Forbidden City consists of 980 buildings and houses a wide-ranging collection of art pieces and valued objects from numerous dynasties. A tourist on the outside will notice elevated walls made from earth materials covered with baked bricks. These walls stood as fortresses against invaders from other places. Aside from this, the towers at each of the four city corners, which were used as lookouts, were and still are the most noticeable vanguards of the palace to the locals.

Upon entering the city, the visitor will realize that the city is divided into the Outer court, which was mainly used for ceremonial purposes, and the Inner court, where the imperial family and their subjects lived.

In the Outer Court, one could see the Gate of Supreme Harmony. Next to this is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a marvelous formation built above three stone bases and surrounded by bronze incense burners. It was here that the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties hosted their enthronement and wedding ceremonies. More interior is the Hall of Central Harmony which was used by the emperor to prepare and rest before and during ceremonies. Nearest to the inner court was the Hall of Preserving Harmony which was used for imperial functions.

The Palace of Heavenly Purity, which is located in the inner court, will give the visitor a sense of awe. This was where the emperor received foreigners and guests. Few minutes away is the former residence of the empress known as The Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

After hours of being immersed in history, one could take a break in the Imperial gardens which are located outside the city. Some of these are the Jingshan Park and the Zhongnanhai. Lakes, multicolored flowers, fountains and verdant trees will soothe ones’ senses and will leave the tourist wanting for more.

For those who want to take a piece of the Forbidden City, they can also buy souvenir items which are readily found outside the city’s walls. Shirts, mugs, caps and replicas will help them rekindle their amazing experience. Alas, as the sun sets and breeze starts to cool, it is now time to head back to one of the nice hotels in Beijing to relax and prepare for the next journey ahead.

Author E. Larson is a long-time expatriate in Beijing, China. He works with the Redwall Hotel Beijing and many other hotels in Beijing. Check out his website about the Redwall Hotel Beijing here.