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The Forbidden City was home to the Emperors of China for nearly
five centuries from the Mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing
Dynasty, during which time it was also the ceremonial and
political location of the Chinese government. Located in the
Dongcheng District in the middle of Beijing it is an excellent
place to visit and attracts visitors in their numbers all year
round as it now houses the Palace Museum and is open to the
public. The city was built between 1406 and 1420, comprising of
980 buildings and 8,707 rooms. Declared a World Heritage Site in
1987, the Forbidden City is also home to the largest collection
of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
Being situated in the middle of Beijing makes the Forbidden City
an attractive proposition for those considering a holiday in
China as staying in the area also leaves the Great Wall of China
within a day-trip’s distance. Cheap hotels and affordable
flights as well as transport links in and around the city make
the area a pleasant one to visit. The cultural diversity and
exciting cuisine also make for a good discovery. Many of the
Olympics attractions will remain open after the Paralympics have
finished, such as the swimming pool and its competition diving
boards for a fun day out.
The Forbidden City cuts an imposing and beautiful figure out of
the landscape. As soon as you enter its Meridian Gate entrance,
flanked by two protruding wings, you sense that you are entering
something special. The architecture is widely regarded as the
best example of Chinese architecture in the world and has been
the inspiration for many buildings across central Asia. As
difficult to escape as to break into, the City was built to be
impenetrable to any attacking forces and, as such, the walls
were never breached. The outer walls are 7.9 metres high and 6.6
metres wide with guard towers at each corner. Surrounding the
walls is a 6 metre deep, 52 metre wide moat. These serve as
reminders that the city was built with defence in mind and make
it a fascinating destination for lovers of architecture and
history.
The Forbidden City is another example of China’s great ability
to construct beautiful and timeless architectural wonders,
encompassing Chinese style with military might. With the Great
Wall of China not too far away, the Forbidden City makes Beijing
a good place to visit indeed.
If you are thinking of taking a trip to China then make sure you
take out some decent
travel insurance before
you leave, try a reputable provider like AA Travel for a quote.
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