Stones stand here bearing silent witness. This is \u9646\u5bb6\u576116\u53f7\u654c\u53f0. It is a defensive tower.
Beijing has been China’s capital for over 870 years. The Jin Dynasty first made Beijing its capital in 1153. They called it Zhongdu. The city’s importance continued to grow. It became the capital of the People’s Republic in 1949.
Archaeologists have unearthed much about Beijing’s past. They found a gate from the Jin Zhongdu era. This was the first such gate discovered. The gate had two piers. These piers stood on the east and west sides of a doorway. The doorway was six meters wide. Traces of wheels and hoofs marked the entrance. Carriages and horses passed through it.
Outside the gate was a wengcheng. This was a horseshoe-shaped defensive enclosure. Ancient Chinese cities often built these outside city gates. Inside the city, archaeologists found remains of two streets.
The Jin Dynasty used Confucian ideas when building Zhongdu. They named city gates after Confucian principles. One gate was named Duanli Gate. Duanli means benevolence righteousness propriety and wisdom. The location shape and size match historical records for Duanli Gate. Finding gates and streets is key to understanding an ancient city. This discovery helps fill in the blanks about Beijing’s history.
Beijing has many historical sites. These include the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was built in the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Yongle commissioned it in 1406. The court first occupied it in 1420. Commoners could not access it easily. Only the emperor could enter any section freely. The Forbidden City covers 178 acres. UNESCO made it a World Heritage site in 1987. It was China’s power center for five centuries. It displays unparalleled architecture. It now serves as the Palace Museum of dynastic art and history.
The Forbidden City follows feng shui principles. Its orientation is north-south. Important buildings face south to honor the Sun. Buildings and spaces show imperial power. They also highlight the insignificance of individuals. Building height roof style and figurines showed importance.
The Wu Gate is the formal southern entrance. It is one of the tallest buildings. It served as a backdrop for imperial events. Beyond the gate is a large courtyard. The Golden River runs through it. Five white marble bridges cross the river. They lead to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Outer Court holds the three main administration halls. They stand on a three-tiered marble terrace. The Hall of Supreme Harmony held the emperor’s throne. It measures 210 by 122 feet. It is the largest single building. The Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserving Harmony also held government functions.
The Inner Court contained imperial living quarters. The Imperial Garden lies at the northernmost limit. It offered relaxation for the emperor. It features trees ponds flower beds and sculptures. The Hall of Imperial Peace is a Daoist temple. The emperor would retreat there for contemplation.
\u9646\u5bb6\u576116\u53f7\u654c\u53f0 stands as a protector. It has watched dynasties rise and fall. It links us to China’s rich history.