Tales of the Forbidden City, the emperors that lived in them, the power politics, the corruption, and ultimately, the sad fate of the empire: The Forbidden City English audio with Portuguese subtitles -down Alas, history is not always kind. History Channel Exclusive: Inside the Forbidden Kingdom IBM's ongoing project to create a virtual model of the Forbidden City. English audio -bigclap -bigclap -bigclap Once it's completed, you won't even need a plane ticket to see it.
I too, think that the Palace Museum is a spectacular place. However, therein lies the rub. It is so spectacular that it has become a tourist mecca, and tourists can be the death of even the most hallowed of halls. About a year or two back, there was a huge outcry over the Starbucks Coffee franchise that had opened on the grounds of the Forbidden City; it was finally moved from public pressure. Further, I don't know if you've seen stairs or walkways that have been trod on by millions of visitors a year, but let me tell you, even stone get eventually worn down. The Palace Museum unfortunately isn't just a museum housing priceless historical artifacts; the actual buildings, walkways, balustrades, plants, et cetera, everything that is the physical aspect of the place is itself, a priceless artifact of history. I personally worry of the incessant trooping by the throngs of careless tourists, and the potential for someone with a political agenda wishing to make a statement (remember Michelangelo's David in '91?) of some sort. The place should be better controlled and visitors should only be escorted through. Right now, it seems closer to the workings of a theme park and there seems to be very little respect for the place. I find it shameful. Central detail from Nine Dragon Wall Outside of one of the buildings of the outer court, used by tourist as an impromptu rest area. I took both of these picture back in '90 and even then, the place was crawling with tourist touching everything, sitting on everything, and smoking all over the place. I certainly hope the place will last.
Sadly enough, I haven't been able to visit the palace museum, as much as I want to. I hope I can finally go see it before IBM's virtual model, and I'll compare the real one to the virtual one later =) Really hoping to see it. I have to agree with Ralph, most people aren't respecting the property in and around the palace, I'm hoping I can go see it before people pollute it too far. =/
I went there at the end of 2007, it was huge, we didn't even have enough time to see everything. During that time, there were restorations on the main hall where the emperor's throne is at. They were making everything look nice for the 2008 olympics, and pretty much of all Beijing. I really didn't like some of the modern things added into the Forbidden City, like that pic of Mao at the front entrance, those boat rides where you can row yourself. I do have to agree that with so many people going there, it's hard to get the total grandness of it all. Same goes with the Great Wall but it's still great places to visit.
The only way that you can ever get to appreciate any 'museum' is to literally spend a few weeks there. No, I'm not kidding. Unfortunately, the tour groups that most people join don't do anything except allow you a quick walk through, a few pictures, and then that's it; on to something else. Instead , what you need to do literally is spend a few hours in each room so that you can really appreciate the details; and there are so many rooms that you'll probably never be able to see them all. As for the picture of Mao? LOL... it is rather ostentatious, isn't it? Seriously, if I ever go back there (maybe after I retire) I'll stay at my brother's place (he owns an apartment in the middle of Beijing but only uses it when he's there on business a few times a year) I'll stay for a few weeks and really get to see the place.
If you like Chinese emperors, then you should check out this thread: Chinese Emperors across the ages -woot2
Thank you for sharing the links. I went there last year in May and can't believe how big the place is.
