The Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City are considered to be one of the greatest cultural and historical attractions found in China. Here’s a closer look at these amazing landmarks and the wonders they have in store for you.
The Home of Emperors
If you’re staying at any prominent Beijing hotel – say, for example, the Pan Pacific Beijing – it’s likely that the Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City will be included at the top of their itinerary list. After all, this was once the residence of Chinese royalty, from the early Ming Dynasty to the very end of the Qing Dynasty.
The Golden Bridges
One of the most striking features you’ll find here is the famous Golden Bridges. This is an intricate network of five ornate bridges found near the centre of the complex. It can be quite the treat to slowly cross these constructs, maybe even snap a few pictures along the way.
The Palace Museum
The Palace Museum is one of the key draws of this whole complex. It houses an impressive collection of Imperial Chinese artefact, including a massive collection of historical artworks. It is estimated that an average of 15 million people visits the museum each year.
The Imperial College
Another key attraction found here is Imperial College. This was founded by Kublai Khan – a descendent of the mighty Genghis Khan – in the year 1287. It had continued to be in operation for centuries and was only closed down at the beginning of the 20th century.