Contents
Foreword
Chapter One
Brief Introduction to the Forbidden City
1. A Sea of Regal Buildings
2. The Construction of the Forbidden City
3. The Layout of the Forbidden City
4. Why Is It Called the Forbidden City?
5. Manpower for the Construction
6. Sightseeing Routes in the Forbidden City
Chapter Two
The Main Structures in the Forbidden City
1. The Meridian Gate-Main Entrance to the Forbidden
City
2. Inner Golden Stream-A Splendid Man-Made River
3. The Gate of Supreme Harmony-Where the Emperor
Discharged His Official Duties
4. The Hall of Supreme Harmony-Where Grand Imperial
Ceremonies Were Held
5. The Hall of Central Harmony--Where the Emperor
Rested Before Grand Ceremonies
6. The Hall of Preserving Harmony-Where the Highest-
Level Civil Service Examination Was Held
7. The Gate of Heavenly Purity--Entrance to the Quarters
of the Imperial Household
8. The Palace of Heavenly Purity--Living Quarters of the
Emperor
9. The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
10. The Palace of Earthly Tranquility--Nuptial Chamber of
the Emperor and Empress
11. The Imperial Garden-Leisure Park of the Imperial
Household
12. The Six Westem Palaces--Living Quarters of the
Imperial Household
13. The Six Eastem Palaces--Treasure Stores of Art
14. The Palace of Tranquil Longevity--A Little Forbidden
City Within the Forbidden City
Chapter Three
Insights into the Imperial Lifestyle
1. The Emperor's Diet and the Palace Cuisine
2. The Emperor's Grand Nuptials
3. The Selection of the Palace Harem and Lives of
Concubines in the Inner Palace
4. How Did an Empress Bathe?
5. Where Were the Toilels?
6. Where Did the Water Come from
7. Keeping Warm and Cool
8. The Six Big Fires in the Forbidden City
9. Palace Ladies Try to Assassinale the Emperor
10. Foreign Artists at the Qing Court
11. Foreigner Records the Inauguration of the Imperial
Palace
12. The Attempted Murder of a Crown Prince
13. An Heir-Apparent Raised in Secret
14. "The Cricket Emperor"
15. The Empress Dowager Marries the Emperor's Uncle
16. How Emperor Kangxi Removed Aobai
17. Mystery of How Yongzheng Became Emperor
18. Cixi's Wealth and Her Extravagance in Dining
19. Cixi Intercedes for the Empress
20. The Empress Dowager's Cmelty
21. Friction Belween the East Empress Dowager and the
West Empress Dowager
22. The Tragedy of Concubine Zhen
23. Anecdotes of the Last Emperor
24. Connotations of the Motifs on the Imperial Robe and
the Bufu
25. How Many Rooms Are There in the Forbidden City?
26. Comer Towers of the Forbidden City
27. Stage Plays in the Imperial Palace
28. The Bronze Lions ot the Forbidden City
29. The Bronze Vats for Fire Protection
30. What Is the Significance of the Number of the Gate
Nails?
31. Mosaics in the Imperial Garden
Chapter four
The 24 Ming and Qing Emperors Who Lived in the
Forbidden City
1. Emperor Chengzu-Zhu Di (1360-1424)
2. Emperor Renzong-Zhu Gaochi (1378-1425)
3. Emperor Xuanzong-Zhu Zhanji (1398-1435)
4. Emperor Yingzong--Zhu Qizhen (1427-1464)
5. Emperor Daizong-Zhu Qiyu (1428-1457)
6. Emperor Xianzong-Zhu Jianshen (1447-1487)
7. Emperor Xiaozong-Zhu Youcheng (1470-1505)
8. Emperor Wuzong--Zhu Houzhao (1491-1521)
9. Emperor Shizong-Zhu Houcong (1507-1566)
10. Emperor Muzong-Zhu Zaihou (1537-1572)
11. Emperor Shenzong-Zhu Yijun (1563-1620)
12. Emperor Guangzong-Zhu Changluo (1585-1620)
13. Emperor Xizong-Zhu Youxiao (1605-1627)
14. Emperor Sizong-Zhu Youjian (1611-1644)
15. Emperor Shizu-Fu Lin (1638-1661)
16. Emperor Shengzu-Xuan Ye (1654-1722)
17. Emperor Shizong-Yin Zhen (1678-1735)
18. Emperor Gaozong-Hong Li (1711-1799)
19. Emperor Renzong-Yong Yan (1760-1820)
20. Emperor Xuanzong-Min Ning (1782-1850)
21. Emperor Wenzong-Yi Zhu (1831-1861)
22. Emperor Muzong-Zai Chun (1856-1875)
23. Emperor Dezong-Zai Tian (1871-1908)
24. The Last Emperor-Pu Yi (1906-1967)
Appendix
1. Emperors of the Ming Dynasty
2. Emperors of the Qing Dynasty
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