Imperial Garden

The Imperial Garden

I. History and Significance of the Imperial Garden

Origins and Evolution:

  • Initially part of the Ming Dynasty palace complex, the Imperial Garden was known as "Houyuan" (Rear Garden), serving as a space for the emperor's leisure, entertainment, and important events.
  • During the Qing Dynasty, the garden underwent extensive renovations and was renamed "Imperial Garden," evolving into a royal garden encompassing aesthetic, practical, and cultural aspects.

Importance within the Forbidden City:

  • The Imperial Garden is the ancillary garden of the three rear palaces (the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Interconnected Harmony, and the Palace of Tranquil Longevity), extending the emperor's living quarters. It was also a place for the emperor to unwind from state affairs, engage in recreation, and conduct sacrificial rites.
  • Beyond its function as a royal garden, the Imperial Garden is a treasure trove of ancient architectural, horticultural, and cultural art, providing valuable insight into the court life of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

II. Architectural Layout and Landscape Features

Architectural Layout:

  • Covering 24,000 square meters, the Imperial Garden boasts a meticulous and layered layout, centered around a central axis with symmetrical arrangements on both sides, reflecting the hierarchy and order of imperial gardens.
  • Key structures in the Imperial Garden include:
    • The Hall of Auspicious Harmony: Dedicated to Taoist deities, this hall was a crucial venue for the emperor's sacrificial rites.
    • The Garden of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity: Situated on the west side of the Imperial Garden, this garden is part of the Empress Dowager's palace, showcasing a more refined and delicate landscape.
    • The Garden of the Palace of Longevity and Peace: Located on the east side of the Imperial Garden, this garden is part of the Imperial Dowager's palace, characterized by a tranquil and elegant ambiance.
  • The Imperial Garden also features pavilions, towers, artificial hills, ponds, and various flora, composing a picturesque scroll of a royal garden.

Landscape Features:

  • Flourishing Flora: The Imperial Garden houses a diverse collection of valuable plants, ensuring a continuous bloom throughout the year, infusing the garden with vibrant life.
    • In spring, peach, apricot, and crabapple blossoms burst forth, filling the air with a captivating fragrance.
    • Summer brings forth the majestic lotus blossoms, standing tall and fragrant.
    • Autumn paints the landscape with vibrant hues as maple leaves turn crimson.
    • Winter welcomes the fragrant winter plum, adding a touch of warmth to the frigid season.
  • Inviting Water Features: The Imperial Garden features numerous ponds, clear and shimmering, creating an enchanting harmony with the surrounding flora.
  • Unique Artificial Hills: Several artificial hills within the Imperial Garden, each with distinctive forms, contribute to the garden's depth and dimensionality, adding a sense of grandeur or delicate charm.

III. Cultural Significance

  1. Symbol of Imperial Gardens: The Imperial Garden serves as a paragon of royal gardens, embodying the power and wealth of ancient emperors, and represents an integral part of China's rich traditional culture.
  2. Venue for Imperial Life and Leisure: The Imperial Garden provided a sanctuary for emperors and their consorts to unwind, enjoy floral displays, host banquets, and perform sacrificial rites, reflecting the lifestyle and cultural sophistication of the imperial court.
  3. Repository of Art and Culture: The architecture, landscaping, and flora within the Imperial Garden hold immense artistic and cultural significance, providing invaluable resources for studying ancient architecture, gardening, and culture.
  4. Legacy of National Spirit: The Imperial Garden embodies five thousand years of Chinese history and culture, serving as a symbol of the Chinese national spirit and a guardian of China's rich traditional heritage.

IV. Modern Value

  1. Prominent Tourist Destination: As a key component of the Forbidden City, the Imperial Garden is a prominent tourist attraction in Beijing, drawing countless visitors every year.
  2. Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Imperial Garden is a cherished cultural legacy of the Chinese people, demanding effective protection and transmission to ensure the continuity of this invaluable cultural treasure for future generations.
  3. Treasury of Historical Research: The Imperial Garden offers a wealth of information for exploring the court life, architectural artistry, horticultural techniques, and cultural practices of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, making it a valuable resource for historical research.
  4. Platform for Cultural Exchange: The Imperial Garden can serve as a platform for fostering cultural exchange, promoting communication and fusion between diverse cultures.

In conclusion, the Imperial Garden, as part of the Forbidden City, is not only a masterpiece of royal gardens but also a treasure trove of ancient Chinese architectural, horticultural, and cultural art, and a guardian of China's rich traditional heritage. It carries profound historical and cultural significance, holds immense value for tourism, and warrants our utmost care, protection, and transmission for posterity.


Imperial Garden main content:

  • How big is the Forbidden City?:

    The Forbidden City (Forbidden City) is located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, north of Tiananmen, near Wangfujing Street in the east, and Zhongnanhai in the west. The overall building is majestic, gorgeous and resplendent. Together with the Palace of Versailles, Buckingham Palace, the White House and the Kremlin, it is known as the

  • What is the difference between the Forbidden City and the Forbidden City?:

    There are differences between the Forbidden City, the Forbidden City, and the Palace Museum, but they are also inseparable from each other. The Forbidden City refers to the royal palace complex that was built in the center of Beijing in 1420 and has been well preserved to this day. The Forbidden City refers to the remains of the Ming and Qing imperial palaces after Puyi left the palace. The Palace Museum is a museum located in the Forbidden City that manages, protects, and studies the cultural relics in the Forbidden City.

  • Are the Forbidden City and the Forbidden City the same?:

    The Forbidden City was called the

  • How old is the Forbidden City of China?:

    The Forbidden City is now 601 years old [2021]. It was built from 1406 to 1420 on the orders of Zhu Di — Ming Dynasty Emperor Yongle (reign 1402–24).

  • Who created the Forbidden City in China?:

    The Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing known as the Forbidden City was constructed between 1406 and 1420 by the Ming emperor Zhu Di and witnessed the enthronement of 14 Ming and 10 Qing emperors over the following 505 years.

  • Do I need to make an appointment in advance to go to the Forbidden City?:

    Answer: Yes. The Palace Museum implements a real-name reservation system. You need to make a reservation at least one day in advance. Tickets are not sold on the same day. ➤Document information required for reservation at the Forbidden City in Beijing: Use the second-generation ID card or passport information to reserve tickets. Tickets within 7 days can be reserved before 20:00 on the same day.

  • What is the name of the palace where the queen lives?:

    Jiaotai Hall is the queen's throne room, where she receives guests or gathers with concubines, princesses, Fujin, married women, etc. It was built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty and restored twice in 1655 and 1669. It was destroyed by fire in 1797 and rebuilt the following year. The palace has a single eaves roof with a gold-coated copper roof.

  • What is the place where the emperor lives called?:

    The royal palace is the place where the emperor, his concubines, and children lived. Rumor has it that there were 10,000 palaces in the Jade Emperor's residence. In order not to surpass the gods, the emperor built 9,999 and a half palaces in the Forbidden City. The emperor has a very yang body, so the palace is a yang house in Feng Shui.

  • Where do grand ceremonies for the emperor's enthronement, wedding, canonization, appointment of generals, and expeditions take place?:

    All its buildings are arranged on the central axis, symmetrical from east to west and in order. The outer court is where the emperor handles political affairs. There are three main halls: the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Zhonghe, and the Hall of Baohe. Among them, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the tallest and most glorious, with a width of 60.1 meters, a depth of 33.33 meters, and a height of 35.05 meters. Grand ceremonies such as the emperor's enthronement, wedding, canonization, appointment of generals, and expeditions were all held here. At that time, thousands of people shouted "Long live the emperor three times" and hundreds of ritual vessels and bells and drums sounded in unison, showing the royal style.

  • Where is Gugong?:

    The Forbidden City (Chinese name: 故宫 Gugong 'Former Palace') was the palatial heart of China. It is an imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912) in Beijing, China.

  • In which city is the Forbidden City located?:

    The Palace Museum is located in the center of Beijing and is the core area of ​​the historical and cultural city of Beijing. It was originally the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1914, the Antiquities Exhibition Center located in the south of the Forbidden City was established.

  • How many football fields are there in the Forbidden City?:

    Our reporter recently visited the National Palace Museum in Taipei and interviewed the director and deputy director of the National Palace Museum in Taipei. The

  • How many years of history does the National Palace Museum have?:

    The predecessor of the Forbidden City was the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420). A total of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived here. After Puyi abdicated in 1912, the history of the Forbidden City as an imperial palace ended. In 1914, the Antiquities Exhibition Hall was established in the outer court area; in 1925, the Palace Museum was established in the inner court area; in 1948, the Antiquities Exhibition Hall was merged into the Palace Museum.

  • How many doors does the Forbidden City have?:

    The Forbidden City has four gates, Donghua Gate in the east, Xihua Gate in the west, and Xuanwu Gate in the north (renamed Shenwu Gate in the Qing Dynasty). The main entrance of the Forbidden City is called the Meridian Gate, and the Meridian Gate has five gates, with two sides. Tie the door to the left, Tie the door to the right. The Meridian Gate is concave in shape and magnificent.

  • Why is the Forbidden City also called the Forbidden City?:

    The Forbidden City, a magnificent complex of palaces and courtyards in the heart of Beijing, stands as a powerful symbol of China's imperial past.

  • Is the Forbidden City a world cultural heritage site?:

    The Forbidden City was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 1987.

  • What does gugong mean?:

    The term Gugong (故宫) holds significant weight in Chinese history and culture, literally translating to former palace.

  • When was the Forbidden City built?:

    China's World Heritage The Forbidden City was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 1987. The Forbidden City, also known as the Forbidden City, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest and most complete ancient wooden structure complex in the world and the largest and most complete ancient building complex in my country. It was built in the fourth year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1406) and took 14 years to complete. A total of 24 emperors ascended the throne here.

  • What is the Forbidden City?:

    Nestled in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, stands as a testament to China's imperial past and a masterpiece of ancient architecture. More than just a palace, it represents a microcosm of the Chinese cosmos, meticulously designed according to philosophical and cosmological principles.

  • Which dynasty did the Forbidden City belong to?:

    The Forbidden City of the Qing Dynasty in Shenyang was built between 1625-1626 and 1783. It has a total of 114 buildings, including an extremely precious library. The Shenyang Forbidden City is a testimony to the establishment of the last dynasty that ruled China before expanding its power to the center of the country and moving its capital to Beijing. It later became an annex to the Forbidden City in Beijing. This majestic building provides important historical testimony to the history of the Qing Dynasty and the cultural traditions of the Manchus and other tribes in northern China.

  • How much is the ticket to the Forbidden City?:

    That is, 30 yuan/person in peak season and 20 yuan/person in off-season.

  • How many people lived in the Forbidden City?:

    Twenty-four emperors ruled China from inside the palace, seldom venturing outside. At its height, as many as 9,000 people lived there including the royal family, concubines, servants and eunuchs, purely for the convenience of the Emperor.

  • When does the Forbidden City open?:

    Introduction The opening hours of the Palace Museum are divided into two operating hours: peak season and off-peak season. It opens at 8:30 in the off-peak season, closes at 16:30 in the off-season, and closes at 17:00 in the peak season.

  • Are the Forbidden City and the Palace Museum the same?:

    The Forbidden City in Beijing is one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and the first batch of national 5A tourist attractions. In 1987, it was selected into the

  • How do you say gugong:

    The Palace Museum (English: The Palace Museum), also known as the Forbidden City in Beijing, is a museum located in the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

  • How many cultural relics are there in the Palace Museum?:

    Nestled in the heart of Beijing, the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, stands as a testament to China's imperial past. Beyond its architectural grandeur, the Palace Museum houses a breathtaking collection of artifacts, each whispering tales of bygone eras.

  • Are the Palace Museum and the Forbidden City the same?:

    The Forbidden City is now the Palace Museum. Its collections are mainly based on the palace collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a national first-class museum. The Forbidden City is 961 meters long from north to south and 753 meters wide from east to west. It is surrounded by 10-meter-high walls and a 59-meter-wide moat. There are four city gates, the Meridian Gate in the south, the Shenwu Gate in the north, the Donghua Gate in the east, and the Xihua Gate in the west.

  • What are the three treasures of the Palace Museum?:

    The Palace Museum in Beijing, China, houses an unparalleled collection of art and artifacts, standing as a testament to the grandeur and artistry of China's imperial past.

  • How old is the Forbidden City?:

    The Forbidden City, a majestic palace complex in the heart of Beijing, stands as a testament to China's rich history and architectural prowess. While the allure of this UNESCO World Heritage site draws visitors from every corner of the globe, there are certain individuals who can experience its splendor without paying the admission fee.

  • How big is the Beijing Palace Museum?:

    The Forbidden City is about 960 meters long from north to south and 750 meters wide from east to west. It covers an area of ​​more than 720,000 square meters and has more than 8,000 existing houses. It is surrounded by a 10-meter-high city wall and a 52-meter-wide moat outside the wall. There is a gate on each side, the Meridian Gate in the south, the Shenwu Gate in the north, the Donghua Gate in the east, and the Xihua Gate in the west.

  • How many cultural relics are there in the Beijing Palace Museum?:

    In 1914, the Antiquities Exhibition Hall was established in the outer court area; in 1925, the Palace Museum was established in the inner court area; in 1948, the Antiquities Exhibition Hall was merged into the Palace Museum. The Palace Museum has a complete collection of cultural relics, with a total collection of more than 1.86 million pieces (sets). According to different textures and forms, they can be divided into 25 categories such as paintings, Dharma calligraphy, inscriptions, bronzes, gold and silverware, among which the precious Cultural relics account for 90% of the total collection.

  • Do you need to make an appointment for the Beijing Palace Museum?:

    The Palace Museum implements a real-name reservation system for all visitors. Mainland Chinese visitors should use their ID cards. Non-mainland Chinese visitors should use the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, the Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, the Permanent Residence ID Card for Foreigners, and the passport to purchase tickets. . The same ID can only reserve one ticket per visit day.

  • Who built the Beijing Palace Museum?:

    History The Forbidden City in Beijing was fully constructed in 1406 under the order of Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty. It was located south of the Imperial Palace of the Yuan Dynasty. However, the Forbidden City in Beijing was not built on the basis of the Imperial Palace of the Yuan Dynasty. The palace and palace walls were rebuilt. The designer was Tan Zhe. The unknown monk in the temple.

  • In which dynasty was the Forbidden City in Beijing built?:

    transliterated by Mu Linde: dabkūri dorgi hoton), was the imperial palace of twenty-four emperors of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City was built in the fourth year of Yongle (1406), the reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, and was completed in the eighteenth year of Yongle (1420).

  • What is inside the Forbidden City in Beijing?:

    The Forbidden City attractions include: 1. Treasure Hall, 2. Hall of Supreme Harmony, 3. Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, 4. Hall of Zhonghe, 5. Hall of Taiji, 6. Hall of Preservation and Preservation, 7. Watch Hall, 8. Chuxiu Palace, 9 . Ruyi Pavilion, 10. Yangxin Hall, 11. Imperial Garden, 12. Shenwu Gate, 13. Changchun Palace, 14. Jiaotai Palace, 15. Qianqing Palace, 16. Kunning Palace

  • How long does it take to visit the Beijing Palace Museum?:

    Attractions: Palace Museum, Hall of Supreme Harmony (free of admission), Hall of Zhonghe (free of admission), Hall of Baohe (free of admission). Activity time: about 1 hour.

  • The Imperial Garden:

    The Imperial Garden is located in the Forbidden City in Beijing, at No. 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It was first built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was called

  • History of the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City:

    The Imperial Garden is located outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility. Constructed during the Ming dynasty in 1417, it is rectangular in shape and covers approximately 12,000 square meters. This was a private retreat for the imperial family and is the most typical of the Chinese imperial garden design.

  • Royal life in the royal garden:

    Royal life in the royal garden

  • Ming Dynasty Forbidden City Imperial Garden:

    Outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility is Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden, which was built in 1417 in the Ming dynasty. The rectangular garden covers an area of about 12,000 square meters and was the private garden of the imperial family. It was the most typical imperial garden in China.

  • Imperial Garden of the Qing Dynasty:

    The imperial gardens in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), located in Beijing and Chengde, created the North Style Gardens by means of incorporating the heritage of former gardens, addressing local natural and cultural contexts, and learning from the South Style Garden – the Scholar's Gardens.

  • The palace garden during the Yongle period:

    It was built for emperors and their wives to relax themselves and enjoy beautiful scenery, but was also used for sacrificial rites, keeping fit, book collections, reading, and other purposes. This garden was originally built in the 18th year of the Ming Dynasty's Yongle period (1420 AD).

  • The layout of the Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City:

    Rectangular in shape and covering about 12,000 square meters, it features twenty or so structures, all in different styles, and each of them blending smoothly and marvelously in with the trees, rock gardens, flowerbeds and sculptural elements, such as the bronze incense burners.

  • Imperial Garden Architectural Features:

    The imperial garden has the characteristics of closure, symmetry, landscape and functionality. It is a very typical architectural type in traditional Chinese gardens.

  • The purpose of the Emperor's Royal Garden:

    The Imperial Garden is generally a place for the emperor's concubines to rest and visit.

  • Restoration of the Imperial Garden in the Qing Dynasty:

    Restoration of the Imperial Garden in the Qing Dynasty

  • Central axis design of the Royal Garden:

    Central axis design of the Royal Garden

  • Symmetrical layout of the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City:

    Symmetrical layout of the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City

  • Ancient trees and rock gardens of the Royal Garden:

    Ancient trees and rock gardens of the Royal Garden

  • Royal Garden Cobblestone Mosaic Path:

    Royal Garden Cobblestone Mosaic Path

  • The role of Qin'an Palace in the Imperial Garden:

    The role of Qin'an Palace in the Imperial Garden

  • The design of Wanchun Pavilion and Qianqiu Pavilion:

    The design of Wanchun Pavilion and Qianqiu Pavilion

  • Beautiful views of Phu Bi Pavilion and Cheng Rui Pavilion:

    Beautiful views of Phu Bi Pavilion and Cheng Rui Pavilion

  • The history and uses of Yangxingzhai:

    The history and uses of Yangxingzhai

  • Imperial Garden Cultural Significance:

    Imperial Garden Cultural Significance

  • Imperial Garden in the World Heritage Site:

    Imperial Garden in the World Heritage Site

  • Design principles of royal gardens in the Qing Dynasty:

    Design principles of royal gardens in the Qing Dynasty

  • Religious Ceremony in the Royal Garden:

    Religious Ceremony in the Royal Garden

  • Symbolic elements of the royal garden:

    Symbolic elements of the royal garden

  • Ancient tree species in the Royal Garden:

    Ancient tree species in the Royal Garden

  • The history of Lutai in the Imperial Garden:

    The history of Lutai in the Imperial Garden

  • The role of the Four Tenno Shrines in the Imperial Garden:

    The Role of Shitennō-jinja Shrine in the Kyoto Imperial Palace Garden