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The Forbidden City |
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The Forbidden City |
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The Imperial Garden
Through the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility (KunNingMen) is the Imperial Garden (YuHuaYuan) - the last part of the Forbidden City on the central north-south axis when heading northwards, before the north gate.
The garden was built in 1417 during the Ming dynasty. It covers an area of about 12,000 square meters and was the private garden of the imperial family. It was the most typical imperial garden in China.
This garden was used exclusively by the imperial family to sip tea, play chess, meditate and generally relax.
Within the garden, there are about 20 structures in different styles.
It is interesting how the man-made structures maintain harmony with trees, rockeries, flowerbeds and bronze incense burners in this relatively small space.
The Hall of Imperial Peace (Qin'AnDian), is the main structure in the garden and the only one on the central axis - it stands in the center of the garden, encircled by a rectangular wall. It was first built in the 15th century.
In front of the hall, there is a pair of 400 years old consort pines, symbolizing the harmony of the emperor and empress.
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