The Forbidden City in Beijing is one of the greatest royal palaces in the world: and was the sacred centre of the Chinese empire. Despite political upheaval and social change in the rest of China, the life of rigid protocol and ritual in the Forbidden City remained unaltered, frozen in time, until the day when the modern world entered its long-closed gates and changed it for ever. This account is an insight into five centuries of Chinese history, from the beginnings of the palace in 1405 to its modern function as a museum.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting Book containing Interesting Facts & Info,
By Kean Chhay Chang (Vic, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Forbidden City Heart of Imperial China (New Horizons) (Paperback)
Even though this book may not be as grand as many other books published in regards to the subject of the Forbidden City. However it contains a lot of wonderful information and accounts as well as resources about the Forbidden City known in Chinese as Zin Jin Cheng also known as "Purple Forbidden City". This book contains stunning photographs from the modern era and from the former times when the Emperor's were still in residence. Interestly, the Manchu's who ruled over China in the year 1644 A.D. didn't construct the entire palatial city at all. It was constructed by their former rulers the Ming Dynasty. After the Ming Dynasty declined the Manchu took over China and proclaimed their dynasty as the Ching also spelt Qing Dynasty "Pure" Dynasty. The Ching Dynasty didn't construct or destroy the Ming Palace, however just move in and left everything the way it was. As in most cases, traditionally through Chinese culture and history... most of the palatial grounds would have been raised to the ground and new one constructed. The Ching Dynasty left everything the way it was. Thus the Forbidden City retained many of its wonderful architecture and also many priceless artifacts that was left by their predcessors. The photographs are the best I've seen so far. Wonderful pictures of the interior of certain sections of the palatial buildings. Old scroll paintings with scenes of royal processions leading through the Gates of the Forbidden City and how life went on behind closed doors. Documents and written accounts by the people of the court and also from outside were astound by granduer of this heavenly abode that the mandate of heaven resided in. Chronically the book takes into account the Ming Emperor who constructed the Forbidden City right through to the last Ming Emperor who spent his last days there before leaving it all for the Manchurians. From the great Emperor Kangxi of Ching Dynasty through to the powerful Empress Dowager Cixi through to her nephew Puyi who was the last Emperor to ascend to the throne when China's imperial power was being eclipsed modern encroaching era of the 20th century. The back section also has written accounts about the life and the people of China as well as the Manchurian rulers and their lifestyle in the walled up city. Life outside the walls of the Forbidden City was also described in early accounts. Please remember that the foreigners often wrote through what they saw... a culture that was unlike their own and sometimes it would sound a little bit bias in some context. Even the Manchurians and Chinese referred to the foreigners in the same context as well. Parts of the book contains photographs sections from the movie of the Last Emperor, also from old photographs and paintings, as well as imperial treasures from the Forbidden City and also national galleries from across the world which has given their part to make this book more interesting and showing the grand splendour of what was once a mighty empire which ruled the "Middle Kingdom" known as China. The Dragon Throne Room is the most impressive one of all. To see the Emperor be seated on the throne and giving audiences to his subjects from all corners of his empire. The Emperor was regarded as the Son of Heaven, Mandate of Heaven and also a Dragon which was the symbol of power and wisdom. However by the time Empress Cixi who was wife of late Emperor Xiangfeng came to the throne. She ruled and had absolute power and often sat listening behind a screen or curtain as well as the throne listening to subjects and ministers on matters of state. Empress Cixi was feared by her own son who Tung Chih who was powerless and when Tung Chih died at an early age she installed her nephew Guangxu and she ran the whole show behind screen. After her nephew Guangxu, and before dying she installed the last emperor of China. Very small but handy to carry around when you are going to the Forbidden City. The book contains an arial view of the city from above and also plans and pavilions laid out in grids balancing the Chinese concept of Fengsui "Wind and Water" and also "Yin and Yang". The certain functions that each pavilion served. Its a wonderful book to have...
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