“Forbidden City.” You keep using that phrase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

The first word that comes to mind upon entering the Forbidden City is “wow!”  However, as you keep going into the Forbidden City, other words come to mind, like “amazing,” “incredible,” “fantastic,” “fabulous,” “whoa” (please note that “whoa” is spelled “whoa,” not “woah” or even “whoah.”  Don’t fail me!) and then finally you hit on the exact right word to describe it – “Wow!” 

(Editor’s Note: Um, that’s where you started!  Blogger: If you’ve been, you’ll know “wow” is perfect.)

Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the complex has 980 buildings, is over 180 acres in size, and is supposed to have 9,999 rooms.  Apparently, it has fewer rooms than that, more like 9,800 rooms!  We did not visit all 980 buildings.  It only seems that way.

It is called the Forbidden City because it was the home of Emperors and only their families/guests were allowed in.  A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

It was used from the Ming dynasty (starting in 1420) to the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912.  Fully 24 emperors in all (they had longer than four year terms).  In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, the Eight Nation Alliance (which is different than the famed seven nation army) considered burning the Forbidden City, but thankfully did not. 

There is some thought that Mao considered destroying it during the Cultural Revolution.  At one point, however, Premier Zhou Enlai also sent an army battalion to guard the city and stop any damage.  I can’t tell if those two events (the “Mao and Zhou” as it has been coined. . .by me) were connected or not.

However, in the spirit of Bob Newhart, I can only imagine Mao musing about destroying the Forbidden City.

Mao:  I’m bored.  Let’s destroy the Forbidden City.

Aide: Well, that would be one thing to do today.

Mao: Let’s get to it!

Aide: Let’s play ping-pong!

Mao: Don’t you think I would go down in history?

Aide: Down is one word.  Look, some day when we are a more open country, we’ll make a killing off tourists.  We can have a Starbucks (there was one for seven years, but thankfully it closed in 2007), souvenir shops, and entry fees!

Mao: (Moping)  Okay.  (Kicks ground)  Let’s go play ping-pong.  At least I always win!

Aide: Whatever happened to that one guy who defeated you?  Oh, um, never mind.

Anyhow, back to present day.  We entered through the Meridian Gate, which has two protruding wings.  We marveled at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, which afforded amazing views of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.  That hall is the most important building in the complex for government matters. 

Each building has, at the corners of roofs, little mythical beasts.  The number of beasts corresponds to the importance of the building.  The Hall of Supreme Harmony, being the most important government building, has ten mythical beasts on each corner – the most of any building in China.  It also has the most bays, which further highlights the importance of the building.

Each row of mythical beasts has a Qilin topping it.  I found these imperial roof decorations to be fascinating.  I was also amazed by the sheer number of dragon imagery, including paintings, relief, carvings, and others.  The decorative color paintings on the imperial palaces were impressive.   

Given that Motown had success with The Supremes and Harmony, I was a little disappointed that they don’t pipe such classics as “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” or “Baby Love.”  Think of the cross-marketing possibilities.  Speaking of music, Carol kept humming songs from Mulan, and we both agreed we need to see the classic Disney movie again.  (Don’t @ me about historical inaccuracies, or any cultural complaints.  It’s just a damn kids movie after all!)

There are the Crane and the Turtle, as well as the official grain meter box.  All of the gates and doors feature a nine by nine array of large golden door nails, or blossoms.  Nine is a positive number in China, so it was to bring  good fortune.

We also saw the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony.   

The gardens were interesting, although we were a little early for the spring effect.  The couples trees were neat to see.  They are cypress trees that grow together and weave to the sky.

We departed via the Gate of Divine Might, walked a bit, and hopped on the bus for lunch at a nearby restaurant.