Verbotene Stadt - Hamburg

The Forbidden City is just extraordinary and even just stepping into it several times I have always felt a deep sense of intrigue, plotting, secrets and hundred... read more The Forbidden City is just extraordinary and even just stepping into it several times I have always felt a deep sense of intrigue, plotting, secrets and hundreds of years of rulers and Emperors. No wonder because, having been constructed between 1406 and 1420 under the Ming dynasty's Yongle Emperor, it has served as the political and ceremonial centre of China and the residence for 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. Plus it is the world's largest imperial palace complex. It takes a long time to explore the City because of its scale covering some 72 hectares with some 980 surviving buildings with nearly 9,000 bays of rooms. You have to explore the Outer Court which was is used for state ceremonies and grand audiences, and the Inner Court which was the emperor's residential area. My sense of intrigue and plotting is drawn from the very word “Forbidden” which refers to the restricted access, where unauthorized entry was once punishable by death. It is just a mesmerizing place with other structures being the Meridian Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the impressive Imperial Garden.

You DONT need to pre-purchase tickets. There is a window inside the main walls that will sell tickets to tourists on the day. I have uploaded pics of it. The ci... read more You DONT need to pre-purchase tickets. There is a window inside the main walls that will sell tickets to tourists on the day. I have uploaded pics of it. The city itself is fantastic and well worth a a few hours. I recommend pre-downloading the app so that you can have your own guided tour. There are a couple shops at the far northern side selling water and snacks.