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Secrets of the Forbidden City

Posted on January 31, 2025March 4, 2025 by Dharma Documentaries
A look at the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing, and how it has survived till now.

Secrets of the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City in Beijing, commissioned by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty in 1406 and completed in 1420, served as the imperial palace for nearly 500 years during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Covering 72 hectares (178 acres), it is a vast complex featuring 980 surviving buildings and around 8,886 rooms.

The design reflects traditional Chinese principles of symmetry and hierarchy, with sections divided into the Outer Court for state affairs and the Inner Court for the emperor and his family. Surrounded by high walls and a wide moat, its red and gold decorations symbolize power and prosperity, while yellow-tiled roofs denote imperial authority.

This film by the popular science channel PBS Nova looks into the construction of the city and how it has managed to survive so long. It has sometimes caught fire with devastating effect, but mainly its buildings survived earthquakes, even though Beijing is known for its high-intensity earthquakes. With the help of Chinese and Western scholars we get to understand how it was constructed in record time, and how it survived until today.

 

if the video does not appear on the page, try reloading the page; and if that doesn’t work, leave a comment so I can update the page (the comment is not published)

 

to see an album of screenshots click here

 

TAGS:
Culture, Architecture, China

2 thoughts on “Secrets of the Forbidden City”

  1. Bhante M. Seevali says:
    February 14, 2025 at 6:06 pm

    To the Honorable Person in Charge,

    A good day.

    I want to express my sincere appreciation for your excellent documents, videos, and other materials. They are valuable and inspiring, providing us with profound knowledge and insight.

    I kindly seek your permission to use some of these materials in our broadcasts. It would mean
    a lot to us if you would grant us the privilege to feature them as needed. In recognition of your generous contribution, we will include a dedicated acknowledgement at the end of each telecast whenever your materials are used.

    We are a non-commercial Buddhist program committed to spreading wisdom and compassion. You can visit our website @ buddhadharmatv.com to learn more about our mission.
    With regards, Bhante M.Seevali, Executive Directort, Global Buddha Dharma Television

    Reply
    1. Dharma Documentaries says:
      April 24, 2025 at 3:34 pm

      Dear Venerable, I cannot give permission as they are not mine, but embedded here from youtube. If you just want to embed them that is allowed. If you wanted to copy them I think you would to find out who has the rights and contact them.

      Reply

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