The Forbidden City

Thursday, 25.10.2018

After paying our respects to 'Chairman Mao', we headed to our second destination for the day, the 'Forbidden City'. It is called so because it was forbidden for commoners like us to visit until 1918. The 'Forbidden City' was home to the emperors and their 'families' and staff. The complex is huge, with 890 palaces and nearly 9000 rooms covering an area of 150,000 square meters. It is impossible to explore the entire place in one afternoon.

On the square in front of the 'Gate of Heavenly Peace', the Japanese and Chinese flags were waving. State visit, certainly not easy, as the relationship has not been the best since the 1940s.

At the 'Gate of Heavenly Peace', which is the south entrance of the 'Forbidden City', there is a portrait of 'Chairman Mao' which we know from television.

All in all, the buildings and the complex are very impressive. At that time, no building in the city was allowed to be taller than the Imperial Palace, but that is different nowadays.