Tian"anmen Rostrum
Lying at the heart of Beijing, the Tian"anmen Rostrum was first built in 1417 of the Ming Dynasty as Chengtianmen. In 1651, it was renamed Tian"anmen, meaning "granted by the heavens to bring peace and order to the nation". Emperors used to issue decrees here in major ceremonies. The rostrum used to have five towers on either side to mark
its supreme status. Its width equals that of nine standard rooms and its depth equals that of five rooms. The rostrum has multiple roofs shaped like a mountain. In front of it is the Golden Water River spanned by five white marble bridges with refined carvings. Sitting on both sides of the rostrum are two stone lions and the ornamental columns known as huabiao . The Tian"anmen Rostrum is the symbol of China. Today, its gates are kept open for visitors from far and wide.
Imperial Ancestral Temple
(Working People"s Cultural Palace)
Situated to the east of Tian"anmen Rostrum, the Imperial Ancestral Temple has become the Working People"s Cultural Palace. In the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the temple was the venue for grand ceremonies to pay tribute to ancestors when emperors ascended the throne, assumed the reins of government, married and returned to the capital after a victorious war. The temple"s main buildings are the three great halls that face the Daji Gate. Outside the gate is the Jade Belt River and Golden Water Bridge. On eastern and western sides to the north of the bridge are two hexagon pavilions that shelter wells. To the south of the bridge are the Sacred Kitchen and Sacred Warehouse. To their south is a colorful glazed door. Outside are the slaughter house and another pavilion covering a well.
Altar of the Gods of Land and Grain (Sun Yat-sen Park)
a place for the emperors to pay tribute to the Gods of Land and Grain and pray for bumper harvest. For centuries, emperors regarded land and grain (sheji in Chinese) as symbols of the nation. Feudal emperors called themselves sons of heaven. They picked an early morning in spring and autumn to pay tribute at the altar. Similar ceremonies were held when imperial troops were launched to the battlefield and returned to the capital, bringing captives. Disasters like floods also warranted sacrificial ceremonies at the altar. The altar is covered with earth of five colors: yellow in the center, blue in the east, red in the south, white in the west and black in the north — to symbolize that "every corner in the world belongs to the emperor".
Zhengyang Gate
First built in 1419 of the Ming Dynasty, the Zhengyang Gate was called Lizheng Gate. As it is located to the south of the Forbidden City, it is also called Qianmen (Front Gate). It is one of the nine most important gates in Beijing. The gate is actually formed with three parts — t h e g a t e , t h e emb r a s u r e d watchtower over the gate and the citadel outside the gate to reinforce its defense. The grand complex is a representative of ancient Beijing architecture. It is the only intact city gate in Beijing. The gate has been turned into the Museum on Beijing"s Folk Customs.
Palace Museum
At the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum is built on the basis of the imperial palace, or the Forbidden City, in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Reputed with 9,999 rooms, the palace is the world"s biggest and most intact complex of ancient architecture. The front gate of the Forbidden City is the Tian"anmen Rostrum, and the Shenwu (Divine Prowess) Gate is its back door. Established in 1420 of the Ming Dynasty, a total of 24 emperors lived here and ruled China for nearly 500 years. The museum has a collection of 1 million artifacts, most of which are imperial relics such as the imperial thrones and classic art works.
1. Xianfu Gong (Palace of Universal Happiness)
2. Chuxiu Gong (Palace of Gathered Elegance)
3. Changchun Gong (Palace of Eternal Spring)
4. Yikun Gong (Palace of Earthly Honor)
5. Taiji Dian (Hall of Supreme Principle)
6. Yangxin Dian (Hall of Mental Cultivation)
7. Zhongcui Gong (Palace of Accumulated Purity)
8. Jingyang Gong (Palace of Great Brilliance)
9. Qianlong Huayuan (Garden of Qianlong Emperor)
10. Chengqian Gong (Palace of Celestial Favor)
11. Yonghe Gong (Hall of Eternal Harmony)
12. Jingren Gong (Palace of Great Benevolence)
13. Ningshou Gong (Palace of Tranquil Longevity)
Prince Gong"s Residence
At the Liuyin Street to the west of Shichahai Park, Prince Gong"s Residence is the biggest of the remaining dozens of residences for princes of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Taking up nearly 70,000 sq m, it used to be the residence of Heshen, a high-ranking minister who enjoyed great favor of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. When Emperor Qianlong passed away on Feb 7, 1799, his son, Emperor Jiaqing, stripped Heshen of all his titles and confiscated his belongings, which turned out to be worth some 800 million taels of silver, equaling the national income of a dozen years. Just 15 days later, Heshen was ordered to commit suicide. His residence was granted to Yonglin, or Prince Qingdu. In 1851, Emperor Xianfeng granted the residence to Yixin, or Prince Gong. The building complex is compared to a fairyland and a pearl.
Yonghegong Lamasery
In northeastern Beijing, Yonghegong Lamasery is an important site for Tibetan Buddhism. The temple treasures Buddha niches made of nanmu, a precious wood, and 500 arhats (enlightened disciples of Sakyamuni) carved out of purple sandalwood. The most precious relic in the temple is a giant Buddha statue carved out of a single white sandalwood from Nepal. It took three years to transport the statue from Tibet to Beijing. At 26 m tall and 3 m in diameter, it is the world"s biggest wooden Buddha statue.
Beihai Park
