Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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8500 7114
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admission Nov-Mar ¥40, Apr-Oct ¥60, Clock Exhibition Hall ¥10, Hall of Jewellery ¥10, audio tour ¥40
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8.30am-4pm May-Sep, 8.30am-3.30pm Oct-Apr
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Tian'anmen West or Tian'anmen East
Located at the geographical centre of China's capital, the palace occupies a primary po-
sition in the Chinese psyche. To communists, it's a contradictory symbol: a politically in-
correct yarn from a pre-Revolutionary dark age, but also one spun from the very pinnacle
of Chinese civilisation. It's therefore not surprising that violent forces during the Cultural
Revolution wanted to trash the place. But Premier Zhou Enlai, perhaps hearing the distant
tinkle of the tourist dollar, stepped in to calm down the Red Guards.
Although you can explore the Forbidden City in a few hours, a full day will keep you
occupied and the enthusiast will make several trips. More than half of the complex is
closed to the public, but a massive chunk remains, focussing mainly on the hugely im-
pressive ceremonial halls, which line the central axis. Marvel at these by all means, but
don't miss the delightful courtyards, pavilions and mini-museums within them on each
side of the central axis. This is where the emperors actually lived, and it's fun to explore
the passageways and courtyards that link them.
