[Forbidden City (Palace Museum) | Beijing, China "I am now walking the path that only the emperor could walk"]

[Forbidden City (Palace Museum) | Beijing, China "I am walking the path only emperors walked."] — The Forbidden City, the world's largest palace, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived, is now open to the public as the Palace Museum. Its size is an astounding 960m north to south and 750m east to west—an area equivalent to more than 15 Tokyo Domes! A special space accessible only to the emperor, his family, bureaucrats, and eunuchs. Everything is perfectly arranged, designed as a "place where only those chosen by heaven could rule." This is more than just sightseeing; it's an experience of immersing yourself in world history. No matter where you look, you'll be left breathless. ⸻ 📍 [Location & Access] ・Address: No. 4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing ・Access: Take Subway Line 1 to "Tiananmen East" or "Tiananmen West" and walk for approximately 5 minutes. 🕰️ [Opening Hours] ・8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Entry until 4:10 PM) ・Closed every Monday (excluding public holidays) 💰 [Ticket Information] ・Regular Period: Approximately 60 RMB (approx. 1,200 JPY) / Prices may vary during peak periods ・*Passport required / Advance online reservation required (same-day tickets are rarely available) ⸻ 🏯 Recommended Points • The scale of the Taihe Hall (Daiwa Hall) is distorted. → The center of the palace, where the emperor's coronation ceremony and other ceremonies were held. The stairs, lion statues, and roof—everything is enormous. • The overall beauty and sense of tension of the architecture are astounding. → The layout, color palette, and roof decorations are all meticulously calculated. • The Living Space Zone is also a highlight. → The harem area also features the residences of the empress and consorts. The "everyday luxury" is on another level. • A treasure trove of cultural artifacts! The exhibition area is a full-fledged museum. → Calligraphy, celadon, jewelry, and other "national treasure-level" pieces are on display. ⸻ 📸 Tips ・Enter from the Tiananmen side. Be careful, the exit is at the Shenwu Gate to the north (no reversing). ・It's so vast! Narrowing down the areas you want to see will help you conserve your energy. ・The first thing in the morning is the least crowded, making it easier to take photos (8:30 AM recommended). ・After taking commemorative photos at the main gate, head straight ahead to the less crowded areas. ・There are areas where you can enter the building and areas where you can just admire it from the outside. It's a good idea to check the tour route in detail. ⸻ #Forbidden City #Imperial Palace #Beijing #AbsolutelyFreeTrip