the imperial palace in beijing, popularly known as the forbidden city, was the royal residence in the twosuccessive dynasties of ming and qing from the early 15th to the early 2oth century. construction of thepalace began in the 4tb to 18th year of ming emperor yongle's reign (14o6-142o). the grandeur, magnificenceand serenity within the massive walls silently narrate the rise and fall of china's monarchy that lasted forover five centuries.
the imperial palace, the largest and best preserved in the world, is surrounded by a moat some 160 ftwide, and enclosed by wails over 30 ft high. a watch tower rises at each of the four corners, overlooking thenearly 10,000 chambers and halls inside the city. all the principal structures are arranged, in succession,along a north-south central axis. the whole complex consists of two major sections: outer court and innercourt. the outer court, where the emperors attended grand ceremonies, held audiences, and discussedstate affairs with their ministers, includes the hall of supreme harmony, hall of middle harmony andhall of preserving harmony. the inner court contains the hall of heavenly purity, hall of union andpeace, hall of terrestrial tranquility and imperial garden. this is the place where the emperors handledroutine affairs, and where the emperors' concubines and attendants lived and entertained.
in addition, the palace houses several thousand works of art, and hence is also the largest museum andtreasure gallery in china.
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