故宫重要景点英文介绍-The-Forbidden-City
- 格式:doc
- 大小:38.00 KB
- 文档页数:3
介绍故宫的英文作文介绍故宫的英文作文想必大家都知道故宫吧,那么,用英文如何介绍故宫呢?下面请看小编给大家整理收集的介绍故宫的英文,供大家阅读参考。
介绍故宫的英文作文1What strikes one first in a bird's -eye view of Beijing proper is a vast tract of golden roofs flashing brilliantly in the sun with purple walls occasionally emerging amid them and a stretch of luxuriant tree leaves flanking on each side. That is the former Imperial Palace, popularly known as the Forbidden City, from which twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled China for some 500 years——from1420 to 1911. The Ming Emperor Yong Le, who usurped the throne from his nephew and made Beijing the capital, ordered its construction, on which approximately 10,000 artists and a million workmen toiled for 14 years from 1406 to 1420. At present, the Palace is an elaborate museum that presents the largest and most complete ensemble of traditional architecture complex and more than 900,000 pieces of court treasures in all dynasties in China.Located in the center of Beijing, the entire palace area, rectangular in shape and 72 hectares in size, is surrounded by walls ten meters high and a moat 52 meters wide. At each corner of the wall stands a watchtower with a double-eave roof covered with yellow glazed tiles.The main buildings, the six great halls, one following the other, are set facing south along the central north-south axis from the Meridian Gate, the south entrance, to Shenwumen, the great gate piercing in the north wall. On either side of the palace are many comparatively small buildings. Symmetrically in thenortheastern section lie the six Eastern Palaces and in the northwestern section the six Western Palaces. The Palace area is divided into two parts: the Outer Court and the Inner Palace. The former consists of the first three main halls, where the emperor received his courtiers and conducted grand ceremonies, while the latter was the living quarters for the imperial residence. At the rear of the Inner Palace is the Imperial Garden where the emperor and his family sought recreation.The main entrance to the Palace is the Meridian Gate(1), which was so named because the emperor considered himself the "Son of the Heaven" and the Palace the center of the universe, hence the north-south axis as the Meridian line going right through the Palace. The gate is crowned with five towers, commonly known as the Five-Phoenix Towers(2), which were installed with drums and bells. When the emperor went to the Temple of Heaven, bells were struck to mark this important occasion. When he went to the Ancestral Temple, it was the drums that were beaten to publicize the event.Beyond the Meridian Gate unfolds a vast courtyard across which the Inner Golden Water River runs from east to west. The river is spanned by five bridges, which were supposed to be symbols of the five virtues preached by Confucius——benevolence, righteousness, rites, intelligence, and fidelity(3).At the north end of the courtyard is a three-tiered white marble terrace, seven meters above the ground, on which, one after another, stand three majestic halls; the Hall of Supreme Harmony(4), the Hall of Complete Harmony(5), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony(6).The Hall of Supreme Harmony, rectangular in shape, 27 meters in height, 2,300 square meters in area, is the grandest andmost important hall in the Palace complex. It is also China's largest existing palace of wood structure and an outstanding example of brilliant color combinations. This hall used to be the throne hall for ceremonies which marked great occasions: the Winter Solstice, the Spring Festival, the emperor's birthday and enthronement, and the dispatch of generals to battles, etc. On such occasions there would be an imperial guard of honor standing in front of the Hall that extended all the way to the Meridian gate.On the north face of the hall in the center of four coiled-golden dragon columns is the "Golden Throne", which was carved out of sandalwood. The throne rests on a two-meter-high platform with a screen behind it. In front of it, to the left and right, stand ornamental cranes, incense burners and other ornaments. The dragon columns entwined with golden dragons measure one meter in diameter. The throne itself, the platform and the screen are all carved with dragon designs. High above the throne is a color-painted coffered ceiling which changes in shape from square to octagonal to circular as it ascends layer upon layer. The utmost central vault is carved with the gilded design of a dragon toying with pearls. when the Emperor mounted the throne, gold bells and jade chimes sounded from the gallery, and clouds of incense rose from the bronze cranes and tortoises and tripods outside the hall on the terrace. The aura of majesty created by the imposing architecture and solemn ritual were designed to keep the subjects of the "Son of the Heaven" in awe and reverence.The Hall of Complete Harmony is smaller and square with windows on all sides. Here the emperor rehearsed for ceremonies. It is followed by the Hall of Preserving Harmony in whichbanquets and imperial examinations were held.Behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony lies a huge marble ramp with intertwining clouds and dragons carved in relief. The slab, about 6.5 meters long, 3 meters wide and 250 tons in weight, is placed between two flights of marble steps along which the emperor's sedan was carried up or down the terrace. It is the largest piece of stone carving in the Imperial Palace. Quarried in the mountains scores of kilometers southwest of Beijing, this gigantic stone was moved to the city by sliding it over a specially paved ice road in winter. To provide enough water to build the ice road, wells were sunk at very 500 meters along the way.The three halls of the Inner Palace are replicas of the three halls in the front, but smaller in size. They are the Palace of Heavenly Purity(7), the Hall of Union(8), and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility(9).The Palace of Heavenly Purity was once the residence of the Ming emperors and the first two of the Qing emperors. Then the Qing Emperor Yong Zheng moved his residence to the Palace of Mental Cultivation and turned it into an audience hall to receive foreign envoys and handled the state affairs. The promotion and demotion of officials were also decided in this hall. After the emperor's death his coffin was placed here for a 49-day period of mourning.The Palace of Union was the empress's throne room and the Hall of Earthly Tranquility, once a private living room for the empress, was partitioned. The west chamber served religious purposes and the east one was the bridal chamber where the newly married emperor and empress spent their first two nights after their wedding.The Imperial Garden was laid out during the early Mingdynasty. Hundreds of pines and cypresses offer shade while various flowers give colors to the garden all year round and fill the air with their fragrance. In he center of the garden is the Hall of Imperial Peace, a Daoist temple, with a flat roof slightly sloping down to the four eaves. This type of roof was rare in ancient Chinese architecture. In he northeastern corner of the garden is a rock hill, known as the Hill of the Piled-up Wonders, which is topped with a pavilion. At the foot of the hill are two fountains which jet two columns of water high into the air. It is said that on the ninth night of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the empress would mound the hill to enjoy the autumn scene. It is also believed that climbing to a high place on that day would keep people safe from contagious diseases.The six Western Palaces were residences for empresses and concubines. They are kept in their original way for show. The six Eastern Palaces were the residences for them too. But now they serve as special museums: the Museum of Bronze, the Museum of Porcelain and the Museum of Arts and Crafts of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the northeastern-most section of the Inner Palace are the Museum of Traditional Chinese Paintings and the Museum of Jewelry and Treasures where rare pieces of imperial collections are on display.Now the Forbidden City is no longer forbidding, but inviting.A visit to the Palace Museum will enrich the visitors' knowledge of history, economy, politics, arts as well as architecture in ancient China.介绍故宫的英文作文2Situated in the western outskirts of Haidian District, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from central Beijing. Having the largest royal park and being well preserved, it wasdesignated, in 1960 by the State Council, as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Site of China. Containing examples of the ancient arts, it also has graceful landscapes and magnificent constructions. The Summer Palace is the archetypal Chinese garden, and is ranked amongst the most noted and classical gardens of the world. In 1998, it was listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.Constructed in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), during the succeeding reign of feudal emperors; it was extended continuously. By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it had become a luxurious royal garden providing royal families with rest and entertainment. Originally called 'Qingyi Garden' (Garden of Clear Ripples), it was know as one of the famous 'three hills and five gardens' (Longevity Hill, Jade Spring Mountain, and Fragrant Hill; Garden of Clear Ripples, Garden of Everlasting Spring, Garden of Perfection and Brightness, Garden of Tranquility and Brightness, and Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure). Like most of the gardens of Beijing, it could not elude the rampages of the Anglo-French allied force and was destroyed by fire. In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it for her own benefit, changing its name to Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). She spent most of her later years there, dealing with state affairs and entertaining. In 1900, it suffered again, being ransacked by the Eight-Power Allied Force. After the success of the 1911 Revolution, it was opened to the public.Composed mainly of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Guided by nature, artists designed the gardens exquisitely so that visitors would see marvelous views and be amazed by perfect examples of refinedcraftwork using the finest materials.Centered on the T ower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) the Summer Palace consists of over 3,000 structures including pavilions, towers, bridges, and corridors. The Summer Palace can be divided into four parts: the court area, front-hill area, front-lake area, and rear-hill and back-lake area.Front-Hill Area: this area is the most magnificent area in the Summer Palace with the most constructions. Its layout is quite distinctive because of the central axis from the yard of Kunming Lake to the hilltop, on which important buildings are positioned including Gate of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Dispelling Clouds, Hall of Moral Glory, Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom, etc.Rear-Hill and Back-Lake Area: although the constructions are fewer here, it has a unique landscape, with dense green trees, and winding paths. Visitors can feel a rare tranquility, and elegance. This area includes scenic spots such as Kunming Lake and Back Lake , which presents a tranquil beauty, Garden of Harmonious Interest , built by imitating the layout of Southern China’s classical gardens, and Suzhou Market Street, endowed with a strong flavor of the water town Suzhou.Court Area: this is where Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu met officials, conducted state affairs and rested. Entering the East Palace Gate, visitors may see the main palace buildings: the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity served as the office of the Emperor, the Hall of Jade Ripples where Guangxu lived, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, Cixi's residence, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony where Cixi was entertained, Yiyun House , where once lived the Empress Longyu, and Long Gallery, which measures the longest in Chinese gardens.Front Lake Area: covering a larger part of the Summer Palace, opens up the vista of the lake. A breeze fluttering, waves gleam and willows kiss the ripples of the vast water. In this comfortable area there are the Eastern Bank and Western Bank, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Nanhu Island, the largest island in Summer Palace, Bronze Ox, an imposing statue beside the lake, and Marble Boat, built in western style with elaborate decorations . On the western bank float six distinct bridges amongst which the Jade-Belt Bridge is the pretty!介绍故宫的英文作文3The Palace Musieum is also known as "forbbitom City which was built in 1408 . it took 14 years for twenty thousand workers to finish the constraction. it covers an area of 720000 square meters. And it is also one of the five greatest imperial palaces in the world.There are 9999 rooms in the whole Palace. In China the figure 9 is traditionally considered a lucky one.Nowadays, every Tuesday the palace is open to Chinese students without charge.In the Palace, there are treasures with history of 5000 years. It is a 'must' for the visitors both home and abroad. I have been very happy since I knew that you would come to Beijing for travelling. Please let me know when you arrive here so that I will be ready to be your guide.。
英语介绍旅游景点故宫作文在写一篇类似的作文时,我们需要遵循一定的结构和思路,同时也要注意使用合适的词汇和句型,使得文章具有一定的吸引力和说服力。
下面是一篇关于故宫的英语作文,以供参考:---。
The Forbidden City: A Timeless Treasure of China。
China, an ancient land shrouded in mystery and history, boasts an abundance of cultural gems. Among these treasures stands the magnificent Forbidden City, a testament to China's imperial grandeur and architectural brilliance. Situated at the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is not merely a tourist destination; it is a living relic of China's rich past, beckoning visitors from around the globe to immerse themselves in its splendor.The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, served as the imperial palace for over five centuriesduring the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its construction began in 1406 under the auspices of Emperor Yongle, who sought to establish a grand symbol of imperial power. Enclosed within towering vermilion walls and spanning over 180 acres, the Forbidden City comprises nearly 1,000 buildings, each meticulously designed and adorned with intricate details.Upon entering through the Meridian Gate, visitors are greeted by a vast expanse of courtyards, pavilions, and halls, all laid out in perfect symmetry according to ancient Chinese principles of harmony and balance. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest and most importantstructure within the complex, stands as a testament to the might of the imperial throne. Its imposing façade, adorned with elaborate carvings and gilded decorations, exudes an aura of majesty and authority.Wandering through the labyrinthine corridors and galleries of the Forbidden City, one cannot help but be awestruck by the sheer opulence and grandeur of its architecture. Every corner reveals a new marvel, from the intricately painted ceilings of the Hall of MentalCultivation to the serene beauty of the Imperial Garden. Each building tells a story, preserving the legacy ofChina's imperial past for generations to come.Beyond its architectural splendor, the Forbidden City also houses an unparalleled collection of culturalartifacts and treasures. With over 1.8 million artifacts in its possession, ranging from ancient scrolls andcalligraphy to priceless jade and porcelain, the Palace Museum offers a rare glimpse into China's artistic heritage. Highlights include the exquisite Nine Dragon Screen, the iconic Qianlong Garden, and the legendary Throne of the Dragon.In recent years, efforts have been made to enhance the visitor experience and preserve the cultural heritage ofthe Forbidden City. Renovation projects have restored manyof its historic buildings to their former glory, while multimedia exhibits and guided tours offer insight into the life and customs of China's imperial rulers. Additionally, the Palace Museum has embraced technology to reach a wider audience, launching virtual tours and online exhibitionsaccessible to visitors around the world.Today, the Forbidden City stands not only as a symbol of China's glorious past but also as a beacon of cultural exchange and understanding. As one of the most visited landmarks in the world, it continues to captivate and inspire visitors with its timeless beauty and historical significance. Whether exploring its storied halls or marveling at its exquisite treasures, a journey through the Forbidden City is an unforgettable experience that transcends time and space.In conclusion, the Forbidden City remains a crown jewel of China's cultural heritage, a monument to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its creators. As the custodian of this illustrious legacy, the Palace Museum invites visitors from all corners of the globe to discover the wonders of China's imperial past and embark on a journey through the corridors of history.---。
The Forbidden City(紫禁城)Size:The forbidden city is located in the centre of Beijing city, it used to be the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing 24 emperors to live and handle state affairs. It has a history of about 600 years.Name Source:In the feudal society, emperor was commonly considered the son of God, so he always had the supreme power and his residence was absolutely forbidden to the common people. What is the name source of Forbidden City. Of course, it is open to the public today, so you guys are very lucky!Room: The forbidden city is rectangular in shape with a total space of about 163,000 square meters. There was a popular saying that it had 9,999 and a half rooms in the Forbidden city. Accordingly, the number is only a half less to 10,000 because emperor on earth did not dare to compare himself with the God of Heaven. Well in fact, the forbidden city consists of 980 buildings with 8,700 rooms. It’s amazing, right? What shocked me most is that the appearance is never disordered with so many rooms. That is mainly because the forbidden city was built along the central north-south axis and show great symmetry.Path: Today our pathway is from south to the north, that is, we entered the forbidden city from Meridian Gate and exit from the Gate of Divine Prowess. The total journey inside is about 2 hours.1: The Meridian Gate(午门)Name source: the emperor believed that the meridian line went through the forbidden city and his imperial residence was the center of the whole universe. That is another explanation is that in the ancient times, “ meridian” means “South”.2:The gate of Supreme Harmony(太和门)Function: Emperor usually held his imperial audience, accepted documents from his ministers and made decisions here.The following three halls are the main buildings in the outer court, successively, they are The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Middle Harmony and The Hall of Preserving Harmony.3: the Hall of Supreme Harmony:(太和殿)The emperor exercised his role (重大典礼)over the country here. It is a hall for grand ceremonies as well as important festival celebrations.4: The hall of Middle Harmony(中和殿)The name of Middle comes from the Confucius idea of “mean” and “impartial”. It is a place for the emperor to take a short rest. In Qing Dynasty, the emperor usually came here and examined the tools for ploughing(农耕)in spring time. Besides that, the emperor also held ceremony of presenting the genealogy revision and approval.5: the hall of Preserving Harmony(保和殿)It is a place for the emperor to have banquets to entertain the civil and military officials. Later in Qing Dynasty, emperor held the Imperial Palace examination here. Attention! There is no pillar in its front part.When you are walking through the Gate of Heavenly Purity(乾清门), you have entered the Inner Court.Resembling to the outer court, there are also three main buildings inside, the first one you are seeing is6:The palace of Heavenly Purity(乾清宫)In Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, emperors used to live here and handle the daily affairs. Later after emperor Yongzheng, it was changed to be an audience chamber for receiving foreign ambassadors and envoys form vassal states.8:the palace of Union and Peace(交泰殿)It is a place where the empress held the important ceremonies and her birthday celebration. in Qing Dynasty, the empress usually came here and examined the tools for picking mulberry in spring time.Name source: the name of this palace came from the book of Changes(ZHOU YI), which means the intercourse of heaven & earth, harmony of positive & negative, as well as the harmony between emperor & empress.7: The palace of Earthly Tranquility(坤宁宫)In Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, it was used as empress’s residence. Later ,the hall was completely reconstructed by imitating Qingning Palace(清宁宫) in Shenyang according to the Manchu’s custom.8:The Imperial Garden(御花园)it is about 12,000 square meters, containing more than 20 different types of buildings , pavilions, terraces etc. you can also see lots of pine trees, cypress trees and other botanies.Undoubtedly, the Imperial Garden is an ideal place for entertainment and relaxation.Ok, it is almost the end of our visit in the Forbidden city. You can have a 5 minutes short break here. The toilet is …….., please come back at…….The last spot is the Gate of Divine Prowess(神武门). Actually, the name of the gate was Xuanwumen at first, but when to Emperor Kangxi, as his name is Xuanye, the gate’s name had the same pronunciation with emperor’s name. You know, it was a serious taboo for mentioning the emperor’s name in ancient times. Hence the gate’s name was finally changed to “Shenwumen”.。
The Forbidden City(紫禁城)Size:The forbidden city is located in the centre of Beijing city, it used to be the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing 24 emperors to live and handle state affairs. It has a history of about 600 years.Name Source:In the feudal society, emperor was commonly considered the son of God, so he always had the supreme power and his residence was absolutely forbidden to the common people. What is the name source of Forbidden City. Of course, it is open to the public today, so you guys are very lucky!Room: The forbidden city is rectangular in shape with a total space of about 163,000 square meters. There was a popular saying that it had 9,999 and a half rooms in the Forbidden city. Accordingly, the number is only a half less to 10,000 because emperor on earth did not dare to compare himself with the God of Heaven. Well in fact, the forbidden city consists of 980 buildings with 8,700 rooms. It’s amazing, right? What shocked me most is that the appearance is never disordered with so many rooms. That is mainly because the forbidden city was built along the central north-south axis and show great symmetry.Path: Today our pathway is from south to the north, that is, we entered the forbidden city from Meridian Gate and exit from the Gate of Divine Prowess. The total journey inside is about 2 hours.1: The Meridian Gate(午门)Name source: the emperor believed that the meridian line went through the forbidden city and his imperial residence was the center of the whole universe. That is another explanation is that in the ancient times, “ meridian” means “South”.2:The gate of Supreme Harmony(太和门)Function: Emperor usually held his imperial audience, accepted documents from his ministers and made decisions here.The following three halls are the main buildings in the outer court, successively, they are The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Middle Harmony and The Hall of Preserving Harmony.3: the Hall of Supreme Harmony:(太和殿)The emperor exercised his role (重大典礼)over the country here. It is a hall for grand ceremonies as well as important festival celebrations.4: The hall of Middle Harmony(中和殿)The name of Middle comes from the Confucius idea of “mean” and “impartial”. It is a place for the emperor to take a short rest. In Qing Dynasty, the emperor usually came here and examined the tools for ploughing(农耕)in spring time. Besides that, the emperor also held ceremony of presenting the genealogy revision and approval.5: the hall of Preserving Harmony(保和殿)It is a place for the emperor to have banquets to entertain the civil and military officials. Later in Qing Dynasty, emperor held the Imperial Palace examination here. Attention! There is no pillar in its front part.When you are walking through the Gate of Heavenly Purity(乾清门), you have entered the Inner Court.Resembling to the outer court, there are also three main buildings inside, the first one you are seeing is6:The palace of Heavenly Purity(乾清宫)In Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, emperors used to live here and handle the daily affairs. Later after emperor Yongzheng, it was changed to be an audience chamber for receiving foreign ambassadors and envoys form vassal states.8:the palace of Union and Peace(交泰殿)It is a place where the empress held the important ceremonies and her birthday celebration. in Qing Dynasty, the empress usually came here and examined the tools for picking mulberry in spring time.Name source: the name of this palace came from the book of Changes(ZHOU YI), which means the intercourse of heaven & earth, harmony of positive & negative, as well as the harmony between emperor & empress.7: The palace of Earthly Tranquility(坤宁宫)In Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, it was used as empress’s residence. Later ,the hall was completely reconstructed by imitating Qingning Palace(清宁宫) in Shenyang according to the Manchu’s custom.8:The Imperial Garden(御花园)it is about 12,000 square meters, containing more than 20 different types of buildings , pavilions, terraces etc. you can also see lots of pine trees, cypress trees and other botanies.Undoubtedly, the Imperial Garden is an ideal place for entertainment and relaxation.Ok, it is almost the end of our visit in the Forbidden city. You can have a 5 minutes short break here. The toilet is …….., please come back at…….The last spot is the Gate of Divine Prowess(神武门). Actually, the name of the gate was Xuanwumen at first, but when to Emperor Kangxi, as his name is Xuanye, the gate’s name had the same pronunciation with emperor’s name. You know, it was a serious taboo for mentioning the emperor’s name in ancient times. Hence the gate’s name was finally changed to “Shenwumen”.。
The Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City had witnessed the reigns of 24 emperors for as long as five centuries in the history of China.13Started in 1406 and completed 14 years later, the Forbidden City covers an area of more than 720,000 square meters and is called “the sea of halls ” as a complex of more than 8,000 halls and rooms . The large and grand Forbidden City, a feudal(封建的/’fjudl/)imperial(帝国的,皇帝的) palace with rigorous(严密的)layout , longest history, largest construction area, and best preservation among its kind so for existent in the world, is regarded as one of the top five palaces.故宫,一座昔日的皇城,先后有24位皇帝在此统治中国长达5个世纪之久。
故宫始建于1406年,历时14年才完工,面积达72万多平方米,有殿宇宫室8000多间,被誉为“殿宇之海”。
故宫规模宏大,气势磅礴,布局严谨,是世界是上现存的皇宫中历史最悠久,建筑面积最大,保存最完整的一座封建皇宫,它是“世界五大宫”之一。
the history of the forbidden cityEarly construction in the Ming DynastyIn 1406,Zhu Di ,Emperor Yongle in the Ming Dynasty, decided to move the capital to Beijing. In the next year, he began to make preparations for building palaces ,altars and temples ,and walls .Many ministers were dispatched to the South to procure timber (树,木材)and make bricks and tiles(瓦).1406年,明朝永乐皇帝朱棣决定迁都北京,第二年便开始做营建宫殿,坛庙及城墙的各种准备工作,并派遣大臣到南方各省采办木材,烧造砖瓦。
The Forbidden City(紫禁城)Size:The forbidden city is located in the centre of Beijing city, it used to be the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing 24 emperors to live and handle state affairs. It has a history of about 600 years.Name Source:In the feudal society, emperor was commonly considered the son of God, so he always had the supreme power and his residence was absolutely forbidden to the common people. What is the name source of Forbidden City. Of course, it is open to the public today, so you guys are very lucky!Room: The forbidden city is rectangular in shape with a total space of about 163,000 square meters. There was a popular saying that it had 9,999 and a half rooms in the Forbidden city. Accordingly, the number is only a half less to 10,000 because emperor on earth did not dare to compare himself with the God of Heaven. Well in fact, the forbidden city consists of 980 buildings with 8,700 rooms. It’s amazing, right? What shocked me most is that the appearance is never disordered with so many rooms. That is mainly because the forbidden city was built along the central north-south axis and show great symmetry.Path: Today our pathway is from south to the north, that is, we entered the forbidden city from Meridian Gate and exit from the Gate of Divine Prowess. The total journey inside is about 2 hours.1: The Meridian Gate(午门)Name source: the emperor believed that the meridian line went through the forbidden city and his imperial residence was the center of the whole universe. That is another explanation is that in the ancient times, “ meridian” means “South”.2:The gate of Supreme Harmony(太和门)Function: Emperor usually held his imperial audience, accepted documents from his ministers and made decisions here.The following three halls are the main buildings in the outer court, successively, they are The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Middle Harmony and The Hall of Preserving Harmony.3: the Hall of Supreme Harmony:(太和殿)The emperor exercised his role (重大典礼)over the country here. It is a hall for grand ceremonies as well as important festival celebrations.4: The hall of Middle Harmony(中和殿)The name of Middle comes from the Confucius idea of “mean” and “impartial”. It is a place for the emperor to take a short rest. In Qing Dynasty, the emperor usually came here and examined the tools for ploughing(农耕)in spring time. Besides that, the emperor also held ceremony of presenting the genealogy revision and approval.5: the hall of Preserving Harmony(保和殿)It is a place for the emperor to have banquets to entertain the civil and military officials. Later in Qing Dynasty, emperor held the Imperial Palace examination here. Attention! There is no pillar in its front part.When you are walking through the Gate of Heavenly Purity(乾清门), you have entered the Inner Court.Resembling to the outer court, there are also three main buildings inside, the first one you are seeing is6:The palace of Heavenly Purity(乾清宫)In Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, emperors used to live here and handle the daily affairs. Later after emperor Yongzheng, it was changed to be an audience chamber for receiving foreign ambassadors and envoys form vassal states.8:the palace of Union and Peace(交泰殿)It is a place where the empress held the important ceremonies and her birthday celebration. in Qing Dynasty, the empress usually came here and examined the tools for picking mulberry in spring time.Name source: the name of this palace came from the book of Changes(ZHOU YI), which means the intercourse of heaven & earth, harmony of positive & negative, as well as the harmony between emperor & empress.7: The palace of Earthly Tranquility(坤宁宫)In Ming and Early Qing Dynasty, it was used as empress’s residence. Later ,the hall was completely reconstructed by imitating Qingning Palace(清宁宫) in Shenyang according to the Manchu’s custom.8:The Imperial Garden(御花园)it is about 12,000 square meters, containing more than 20 different types of buildings , pavilions, terraces etc. you can also see lots of pine trees, cypress trees and other botanies.Undoubtedly, the Imperial Garden is an ideal place for entertainment and relaxation.Ok, it is almost the end of our visit in the Forbidden city. You can have a 5 minutes short break here. The toilet is …….., please come back at…….The last spot is the Gate of Divine Prowess(神武门). Actually, the name of the gate was Xuanwumen at first, but when to Emperor Kangxi, as his name is Xuanye, the gate’s name had the same pronunciation with emperor’s name. You know, it was a serious taboo for mentioning the emperor’s name in ancient times. Hence the gate’s name was finally changed to “Shenwumen”.。