Discover The Marvels Of Ancient China In The Forbidden City's Gu Gong Palace Museum

Spread out over 720,000m2 with over 9999 chambers lies the largest collection of

preserved wooden structures in the globe also known as the Gu Gong Palace Museum. Home to the largest wooden hallway in all of China the monumental institution houses an extensive collection of artefacts that includes paintings, ceramics, stone tablets, textiles, gold/ silverware, clocks, calligraphy and a plethora of other items used by the emperor, his consorts and the royal household.

With over a million items in all the permanent exhibits on display at the museum include a Painting and Calligraphy Gallery, Bronze Gallery, Ceramics Gallery, Jade Gallery, a Treasure Gallery, Gold and Silver Object showcase and the Gallery of Qing Imperial Opera. A hall devoted to timepieces is also contained within the structure which has also been divided in to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Preserved Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hall of Union, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Gathered Elegance, and finally the Palace of Earthly Tranquillity.

Constructed according to the Confucian architectural style the Palace Museum has been built in keeping with traditional Ming Dynasty building elements that are also found at the Imperial Palace of Nanjing.

The highlights within the venue include the Palace Museum"s extensive ceramics and porcelain collection of nearly 340,000 items which includes 320,000 porcelain pieces from the imperial collection. Belonging mainly to the Song and Tang dynasties some of these exquisite ceramic wares on display are special pieces commissioned by the Emperor or the palace itself. The museums" 50,000 works strong paintings collection is also nothing to scoff at as it houses the largest collection of pre-Yuan dynastic paintings in the country. Home to the most expansive collection of 18th-19th century mechanical timepieces in the world, the Hall of Clocks at the museum is a treasure trove for chronometer enthusiasts. With both locally made and imported timepieces in its enclave the gallery also showcases watches made by the palace workshops in Suzhou and Guangzhou.

The museum"s Bronze Ware Gallery is also a must-see point of interest as it has 10,000 priceless items of which nearly 1600 feature pre-Qin period inscriptions. The Imperial Court"s ceremonial bronze ware pieces are almost as captivating as the institution"s Jade exhibit which displays some 30,000 priceless jade items. With its oldest piece dating back to the Neolithic period the collection features Ming and Qing dynastic works that served as decorative elements in the palace household as well as some that were received as gifts to the Emperor from various regions of China.

Those in search of a Beijing hotel within the city"s business hub will find no finer alternative to the stylish Grand Millennium Beijing. Less than 8km from the Forbidden City and famed Tiananmen Square this charming hotel in Beijing is also a mere 25 minutes away from the Beijing Capital Airport.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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