Just breathtaking, the Forbidden City along with the Great Wall are two of those things that my brain can't comprehend how were created by humans that long ago. Just even crazier to think that the Qin dynasty Epang palace and the Daming palace of the Tang dynasty, were so much bigger than the Forbbiden City. Sadly those 2 palaces aren't here anymore. What a fascinating country, Thank you for showing us this places Nick!
Saw it in 2008. Dragons are a symbol of the emperor and the phoenix is the symbol of the empress. The large buildings had just been painted for the Olympics that year. 9,999 total rooms. So cool.
If you ever decide to make the trip and need help/advice....just ask! I'd be happy to help. It is great place to visit but given its size it can be pretty overwhelming
Just watched this video. I thought you only do videos on Mosques. Anyway, this is a great video. Most of the videos of the Forbidden City captured by foreign tourists do not show the detailed relief on the walls, roofs, etc. Probably many tourists are unaware of the historical significance and beauty of the details. A very informative video!
Superb video, Nick. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be careful about those 'dragons' though. If certain people get their way, they'll soon be called 'loongs' - which would be quite a joke and disgrace.
It was the westerners who translated 'loong" to the English word "dragon" as the nearest approximation to the western dragons. To the Chinese, they are "loongs", and have always been "loong". Loongs are quite different, physically and symbolically, from the western dragons. Maybe it is time to call it by its proper name and not confused it with a western dragon.
Thanks, Nick, for giving extra info on the Forbidden City and Jingshan park. Been there in 2019 but couldn't get enough of the place as many parts were closed for renovation. Thereafter, came Covid and travel is restricted. Finally get to fly to Beijing last December. I couldn't enjoy that much as there were crowds. Surprised to know that there are such palaces in XiAn which are many times larger. I will try to visit Xian one day.
The crowds are pretty big, even in an off-season, freezing cold day like in the video. The old Xi'an palaces no longer exist sadly, only some wall remains and things. The old Daming Palace is now a huge park though - nice place for a walk
Well, the golden pagoda is in the huge pagoda book...so it counts! hahah! I have some rules for criteria though, basically anything post imperial China doesn't make the cut
There is an online booking system which didn't seem to work with my passport, so i just turned up. It was actually nice and easy. Of course, this could change depending on when you visit. If it was during a Chinese holiday it might be very difficult
Thank you for this. I have a new appreciation for the Forbidden City, having watched your whirlwind tour. Most vloggers simply show different-sized temples/buildings, but you showed the palace in all its diversity - temples, pagodas, gardens, sculptures, etc. You have knack for imparting the essence of a place. Slightly trivial question: what are those red walls made of? They seem ubiquitous and I assume they're heavily painted over, but are they made of wood? Plaster? Cement? My guess they are either wood or brick faced with plaster.
Went there in 2017 in March . Brillant place but need I to go back as it was a bit too much to take in for one day. We took a guide which was well worth the money.
you should have mentioned.. most of the Gugong Palace treasures are still in crates ( about 70,000 ) crate in all ( so I read ) is somewhere in Taiwan.. in a specially constructed vault.. carted off by Kuomintang ( Chiang Kai Shek ) in 1949
Hi Nick, actually there’s a special reason for why the Daming palace of tang dynasty is bigger than forbidden city. Because forbidden city is only the “宫城(a part of “皇城”）,but when we talk about Daming palace ,it is the “皇城”. So if we want to appropriately compare the two royal building group ，the forbidden city needs to add the Nanhai 、Zhonghai 、Beihai 、 Jingshan park and many other things.
Why can't tourists approach to the palace buildings anymore? I noticed that everyone in your video is barricaded back away from them. When I went to the Forbidden City in 2017 we could walk up and look inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony and all the other major buildings.
But here are the five-clawed dragons, I watched your video in Datong, there the dragons are all four-clawed. Five-clawed is for the emperor only. I'd challenge you for this reason 😘. Cheers!
THE FORBIDDEN CITY IS THE NEWEST PALACE IN CHINA, ABOUT 600 YEARS HISTORY. THE HAN PALACE IN XIAN IS MUCH OLDER THAN THE FORBIDDEN CITY AND IT IS 6 TIMES LARGER THAN THE FORBIDDEN CITY. BUT THE HAN PALACE IS NOT EXISTED NOW. IT BECOME A LARGE PARK. THE SOUTHERN 宋 PALACE IS ABOUT 800 YEARS HISTORY. THIS PALACE IS IN 杭州 AND IT IS SMALLER THAN THE FORBIDDEN CITY. IT WAS DESTROYED BY A FIRE
You are like a professional tour guide. As for the architectural details of this palace, the story behind it is briefly and appropriately introduced, which is very exciting. Each dynasty in Chinese history basically built some majestic buildings symbolizing imperial power. I regret that the Weiyang Palace in the Western Han Dynasty and the Daming Palace in the Tang Dynasty were not preserved, and even the Afang Palace in the Qin Dynasty. My only opinion about the Forbidden City is that I I don’t like its red color very much, I prefer black. Maybe I’m impressed by the black palace of Qin Palace in the movie “Hero”.😂
I love that movie! Black was the colour of Qin. Thanks for the comment, i will actually go to the Han Chang'an ruins of Weiyang Palace and video sometime. it's quite interesting
![Amazing China in 1917 in color [AI enhanced and colorized]](/img/n.gif)
Just breathtaking, the Forbidden City along with the Great Wall are two of those things that my brain can't comprehend how were created by humans that long ago. Just even crazier to think that the Qin dynasty Epang palace and the Daming palace of the Tang dynasty, were so much bigger than the Forbbiden City. Sadly those 2 palaces aren't here anymore. What a fascinating country, Thank you for showing us this places Nick!
The ruins of Weiyang and Daming palaces are still there so you can get some idea of the scale. But yeh, shame there isn't much to see there
Exactly. Hanyuan hall is very exquisite and large
Great walk- through! Haven’t been in quite a few years- now I want to go back.
Honestly, i want to go back too...on a slightly warmer day 😂😂
I loved your video. Nick, do you teach history?
If not, you do a great job!
❤️🙏❤️
I don't, but studied Ancient History for a degree and continue to have a strong interest in it. History is the best!
Saw it in 2008. Dragons are a symbol of the emperor and the phoenix is the symbol of the empress. The large buildings had just been painted for the Olympics that year. 9,999 total rooms. So cool.
My first visit was 2008 too! It's a magnificent place
Awesome channel thank you! Great insight to beautiful China 🇨🇳 hopefully visit next year, hoping the visa access will be easier from Uk 🇬🇧 🙏
If you ever decide to make the trip and need help/advice....just ask! I'd be happy to help. It is great place to visit but given its size it can be pretty overwhelming
Thanks so much! Might have to take you up on that!
My wife messaged on instagram hope that’s ok
@callum9880 No problem!
Thank you Nick. Great video! Will be going there this year.
You will have a great time! Hopefully you will have a warmer day than i did haha
Just watched this video. I thought you only do videos on Mosques. Anyway, this is a great video. Most of the videos of the Forbidden City captured by foreign tourists do not show the detailed relief on the walls, roofs, etc. Probably many tourists are unaware of the historical significance and beauty of the details. A very informative video!
Glad you enjoyed it! My videos cover all kinds of Chinese history and nice places to visit...i have a couple of videos on mosques though
Well done Nick 👍
Thanks!!!!
Superb video, Nick. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be careful about those 'dragons' though. If certain people get their way, they'll soon be called 'loongs' - which would be quite a joke and disgrace.
Thanks a lot! Will always be a dragon to me 😂
It was the westerners who translated 'loong" to the English word "dragon" as the nearest approximation to the western dragons.
To the Chinese, they are "loongs", and have always been "loong". Loongs are quite different, physically and symbolically, from the western dragons. Maybe it is time to call it by its proper name and not confused it with a western dragon.
Thanks, Nick, for giving extra info on the Forbidden City and Jingshan park. Been there in 2019 but couldn't get enough of the place as many parts were closed for renovation. Thereafter, came Covid and travel is restricted. Finally get to fly to Beijing last December. I couldn't enjoy that much as there were crowds. Surprised to know that there are such palaces in XiAn which are many times larger. I will try to visit Xian one day.
The crowds are pretty big, even in an off-season, freezing cold day like in the video. The old Xi'an palaces no longer exist sadly, only some wall remains and things. The old Daming Palace is now a huge park though - nice place for a walk
Such intricate artworks! Was that golden pagoda in the treasure room really part of the official count lol?
Well, the golden pagoda is in the huge pagoda book...so it counts! hahah! I have some rules for criteria though, basically anything post imperial China doesn't make the cut
Great video, how easy is it to just go and buy tickets at the gate.
There is an online booking system which didn't seem to work with my passport, so i just turned up. It was actually nice and easy. Of course, this could change depending on when you visit. If it was during a Chinese holiday it might be very difficult
Thank you for this. I have a new appreciation for the Forbidden City, having watched your whirlwind tour. Most vloggers simply show different-sized temples/buildings, but you showed the palace in all its diversity - temples, pagodas, gardens, sculptures, etc. You have knack for imparting the essence of a place. Slightly trivial question: what are those red walls made of? They seem ubiquitous and I assume they're heavily painted over, but are they made of wood? Plaster? Cement? My guess they are either wood or brick faced with plaster.
glad you're still making videos bro, i remember seeing you in your xian mosque video a few years back
Been back at it a while after an extended break. Glad you remembered me, hope you enjoy the videos!
That looks cold. Winter in BJ is just harsh. I never enjoyed it when I grew up. I always liked the fall a lot more.
Absolutely freezing. I'm not really a person who feels the cold too much but this day....wow
Went there in 2017 in March . Brillant place but need I to go back as it was a bit too much to take in for one day. We took a guide which was well worth the money.
It is a great place. A few seperate trips is probably a good idea, one day is really not enough
you should have mentioned.. most of the Gugong Palace treasures are still in crates ( about 70,000 ) crate in all ( so I read ) is somewhere in Taiwan.. in a specially constructed vault.. carted off by Kuomintang ( Chiang Kai Shek ) in 1949
Hi Nick, actually there’s a special reason for why the Daming palace of tang dynasty is bigger than forbidden city. Because forbidden city is only the “宫城(a part of “皇城”）,but when we talk about Daming palace ,it is the “皇城”. So if we want to appropriately compare the two royal building group ，the forbidden city needs to add the Nanhai 、Zhonghai 、Beihai 、 Jingshan park and many other things.
wwwoow..
Why can't tourists approach to the palace buildings anymore? I noticed that everyone in your video is barricaded back away from them. When I went to the Forbidden City in 2017 we could walk up and look inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony and all the other major buildings.
Nine dragons - 九龍 - Kowloon
nine dragons are everywhere 😎
I have passed it many times, but never bought a ticket. I went to visit the Palace in Shenyang once, sooo disappointed.
You should check it out, it really is worth visiting....
But here are the five-clawed dragons, I watched your video in Datong, there the dragons are all four-clawed. Five-clawed is for the emperor only. I'd challenge you for this reason 😘. Cheers!
Yeh, true. But the dragon screen in Datong is still the most impressive 😂😂😎😎 If you haven't been, i fully recommend it!
@@nickinchina2552
New subscriber here. 👍
The largest palace in the world
THE FORBIDDEN CITY IS THE NEWEST PALACE IN CHINA, ABOUT 600 YEARS HISTORY.
THE HAN PALACE IN XIAN IS MUCH OLDER THAN THE FORBIDDEN CITY AND IT IS 6 TIMES LARGER THAN THE FORBIDDEN CITY. BUT THE HAN PALACE IS NOT EXISTED NOW. IT BECOME A LARGE PARK.
THE SOUTHERN 宋 PALACE IS ABOUT 800 YEARS HISTORY. THIS PALACE IS IN 杭州 AND IT IS SMALLER THAN THE FORBIDDEN CITY. IT WAS DESTROYED BY A FIRE
The newest stuff on earth made in the oldest place on earth
Nick read the Quran...
但是紫禁城是真的不适合居住，房间和花园都好小，怪不得清王室要修颐和园和避暑山庄，天天呆在紫禁城很容易抑郁发疯
You are like a professional tour guide. As for the architectural details of this palace, the story behind it is briefly and appropriately introduced, which is very exciting. Each dynasty in Chinese history basically built some majestic buildings symbolizing imperial power. I regret that the Weiyang Palace in the Western Han Dynasty and the Daming Palace in the Tang Dynasty were not preserved, and even the Afang Palace in the Qin Dynasty. My only opinion about the Forbidden City is that I I don’t like its red color very much, I prefer black. Maybe I’m impressed by the black palace of Qin Palace in the movie “Hero”.😂
I love that movie! Black was the colour of Qin. Thanks for the comment, i will actually go to the Han Chang'an ruins of Weiyang Palace and video sometime. it's quite interesting
I visited it 30 years ago, I thought I would find a time to revisit, but until now haven't done it.
it was an exhausting walk.
It is a very very long walk. This took me about 4 hours. Damn cold too 😂
i am super excited to see Nick 老师updated video🥹🥰. i also like it called museum❤❤❤
I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😀😀😀