THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Beijing - page 74

EXHIBITIONS IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY
The Imperial Palace is increasingly being devoted to museum space - so much so that it ar-
guably constitutes the best museum in China. The numerous buildings spreading out from
the Forbidden City's central axis house a variety of fascinating permanent and tempor-
ary exhibitions of Chinese and international historical artefacts and treasures; you'll find
a map showing their location on the back of your entrance ticket. Check what's on at
www.dpm.org.cn .
The Treasure Gallery In the buildings surrounding the Hall of Supremacy. Gold, silver,
pearl and jade items demonstrating the wealth, majesty and luxury of imperial life. ￥ 10
Hall of Clocks This exhibition, always a favourite, displays the result of one Qing em-
peror's passion for liberally ornamented Baroque timepieces, most of which are English
and French, though the rhino-sized water clock by the entrance is Chinese. There's even
one with a mechanical scribe who can write eight characters. Some clocks are wound to
demonstrate their workings at 11am and 2pm. ￥ 10
Ceramics Gallery Hall of Literary Brilliance. A wonderful, air-cooled selection of fine
pots, statutes and porcelain treasures; keep an eye out for the Ming and Qing vases. Free
Painting and Calligraphy Gallery Hall of Martial Valor. Pieces demonstrating the art,
skill and beauty of artists and literary aesthetics. Free
Jade Gallery Palace of Accumulated Purity. A selection of intricate jade objects from the
Imperial Court. Free
Gold and Silver Gallery Palace of Great Brilliance. Precious religious, decorative, dress
and sacrificial items. Free
OperaGallery Hall for Viewing Opera. Fascinating display of all the finery of the Chinese
opera. Free
The ceremonial halls
The three main ceremonialhalls stand directly north of Taihemen, dominating the court. The
main halls, made of wood, are built in traditional style all on the same level, on a raised stone
platform. Their elegant roofs, curved like the wings of a bird, are supported entirely by pillars
and beams; the weight is cleverly distributed by ceiling consoles, while the walls beneath are
just lightweight partitions. Doors, steps and access ramps are always odd in number, with the
middle passageway reserved for the emperor's palanquin.
Taihedian
Raised on a three-tiered marble terrace is the first and most spectacular of the ceremonial
halls, the Taihedian , Hall of Supreme Harmony. The vast hall, nearly 38m high, was the
tallest in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties - no civilian building was permitted to be