The Forbidden City is one of the most famous China's monuments. Built in the early fifteenth century, the former residence of emperors undergoes a facelift prior to hosting the Olympic Games.

The Forbidden City needs no formal introduction. Located in the heart of Beijing, this monument was the inescapable seat of power in China for millennia. And in anticipation of the Olympics, the Forbidden City still deserves special attention. Especially since it is undergoing a facelift. While it is easy to get lost in this huge site, it still offers a certain great appeal that you never get tired of.

Inspired by the palaces of Nanjing, in the south of China, its construction began in the fifteenth century. Its name comes from the fact that access was forbidden to the people during the reign of the Chinese emperors. The entrance of the Forbidden City is through the south gate, just in front of the Tiananmen Square, the premise of so many rallies. After touching the nine golden nails aligned in rows, you find yourself in the fabric of the city. It is this path that you must borrow if you want to climb up into the bleachers to contemplate Tiananmen in all of its splendor.

For only 15RMB, you can see the upper terrace of the mausoleum of Mao Zedong as well as the headquarters of the People's Assembly. Looking to the east, you can see the famous Peking opera built by the architect Paul Andreu whose egg form contrast with the surrounding buildings' rigid architecture.

Besides the view, it is also possible to attend an exhibition which traces the major political events in China. Although its history seems to only begin in 1949... only drawback: the exhibition is in Chinese. But to be able to see the seats where different presidents and other Chinese dignitaries sit down are still worth a visit.

An impression of grandeur

Once inside of the Forbidden City, a sense of greatness emerges from the majestic buildings. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience classical Chinese architecture with its roofs made of yellow glazed tiles and its red brick walls, that have earned it the name "Purple City."

The City is divided into three main sections. The symmetrical main palaces form the heart of the site, where you will find both the throne of the emperor and the reception room for example. The side wings house the apartments of the Emperor's concubines. Finally, the Northern part of the City is reserved for the imperial couple, although some secondary residences of the City were once occupied by some emperors.

The visit is punctuated by gardens and museums. Some exhibits, such as the collection of imperial cutlery and other tableware, and the collection of imperial jewels that are worth a look. Although you will have to ignore the worksites of the major renovations of the two main palaces. The show of workers removing the scaffolding that entirely covered the walls somewhat spoils the scenery. But, the restoration of these old buildings proved necessary, especially with the approach of the Olympic Games. Now that the renovation is nearly complete, the spring will without a doubt remain the ideal time to go to the Forbidden City, right before the arrival of the crowds and the summer heat waves.

Practical Information:
The Forbidden City (故宫): Open daily from 8:30 AM to 5 PM (until 4:30 PM from October 15^th to April 15^th). Counters close an hour before the site. 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District. 东城区景山前街号4. Tel: 010-6513-2255 (answering machine).

Admission: 60RMB from April 1^st to October 31^st (40RMB in winter) and an additional 10RMB to see exhibits of jewelry and clocks of the imperial family. 40RMB for renting an audio guide available in several languages. A 100 RMB deposit and a passport will be returned to the back of the unit.

The route planned by the audio guide lasts 3 hours 30. If you want something slightly more interactive, some Beijing natives can give you a tour in pretty good English for a few hundred RMB. But like everywhere else, a smile is required during negotiations!

Text: Edouard Beauchemin
Photos: Wang Zhuo
March 2008