Forbidden City - Reasons to go there
Trip Start
Unknown
1
9
Trip End
Ongoing
Beijing,
China
Monday, June 23, 2008
The scale of the "city" (or palace) was incredible.
OUR IMPRESSION
The architecture was amazing, with the Forbidden City containing a succession of huge courtyards flanked by high red walls, with large, ornate bulidings and gates dividing up the sections. Along the way we got to see some of the ancient sculptures, which were carved into stone along the sets of stairs leading down into the courtyards.
During the first half an hour or so of our visit, Sabine and I had trouble finding ourselves on the map in the brochure
Forbidden City 1
. We figured we had been walking for quite some time and thought we were probably about halfway down the western side. I finally found our position: we were still in the upper northwest corner and had hardly made any progress at all.That was ok, but we also realized that we had to pick up the pace if we were to see much during the three or four hours we had planned for the visit.
TIPS
The Forbidden City is located right in the middle of Beijing - in the heart of the city. It is also known as GuGon or as the Palace Museum
Get there when the gates open (around 8.30am) if you want to walk through the vast and spectacular courtyards in relative peace.
HOW TO GET TO THE FORBIDDEN CITY
You could reach the Forbidden City via subway line 1 in the station of Tian An Men West or Tian An Men East,the bus station in the same name for line 1,4,52 and 728 is also convenient for catch in the Chang An Street. Alternatively, the bus station of "Gugong" for line 101,109 and 810 is sitting in the north gate of Forbidden City.
More Tips on the Forbidden City
