The Forbidden City Imperial Garden

The Forbidden City Imperial Garden

Originally built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1420), it has undergone subsequent expansions but retains the basic layout of its original construction. The garden stretches 80 meters from north to south and 140 meters from east to west, covering an area of 12,000 square meters. Its main structure, the Hall of Imperial Peace (Qin’an Dian), features a double-eaved roof and is situated along the central north-south axis of the Forbidden City. Centered around this hall, pavilions and towers extend forward and to the sides. The garden is adorned with lush pines, cypresses, and bamboos interspersed with rockeries, creating a verdant landscape throughout the seasons.

Imperial Garden

Known as the Imperial Garden since the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, it is located at the northern end of the central axis of the Forbidden City. To the south, it connects to the Inner Three Palaces via the Gate of Earthly Tranquility (Kun Ning Men); to the left are the East and West Gates of the Qiong Yuan, leading to the East and West Six Palaces. To the north are the memorial archways enclosed by the Gates of Blessing (Ji Fu Men), Harmony (Yan He Men), and Light (Cheng Guang Men), as well as the Gate of Virtuous Fidelity (Shun Zhen Men), which face the northernmost gate of the Forbidden City, the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shen Wu Men). East-side structures include the Hill of Accumulated Elegance (Dui Xiu Shan), Imperial View Pavilion (Yu Jing Ting), Hall of Glazed Tiles (Li Cao Tang), Floating Jade Pavilion (Fu Bi Ting), Pavilion of Ten Thousand Springs (Wan Chun Ting), and Crimson Snow Veranda (Jiang Xue Xuan). West-side structures include the Extended Glory Pavilion (Yan Hui Ge), Hall of Proper Cultivation (Wei Yu Zhai), Azure Glaze Pavilion (Cheng Rui Ting), Pavilion of a Thousand Autumns (Qian Qiu Ting), Hall of Cultivated Disposition (Yang Xing Zhai), as well as the Four Gods Shrine, Well Pavilion, and Deer Terrace. Most of these buildings were used for leisure, sightseeing, or worship, except for the Hall of Glazed Tiles, which has stored the "Essentials of the Complete Library of the Four Branches of Literature" (Si Ku Quan Shu Hui Yao) since the Qianlong era for the emperor’s reference. Most buildings are positioned along the walls, with only a few exquisitely designed pavilions standing within the garden, creating an open and spacious feel. The garden is filled with ancient cypresses and locust trees, arranged with peculiar rocks, jade pedestals, golden dragon statues, and potted plants, adding variety and depth to the scenery. The ground is paved with multicolored pebbles forming patterns such as “Fortune,” “Prosperity,” and “Longevity,” creating a richly colorful display. The famous Hill of Accumulated Elegance is where the imperial family would climb during the Double Ninth Festival. Its unique rockwork, winding paths, stone-carved coiling dragons spurting water below, and the Imperial View Pavilion above offer panoramic views of the surroundings.

First, the architectural layout is symmetrical yet not rigid, expansive yet not scattered. Centered around the Hall of Imperial Peace, nearly 20 structures are evenly arranged on both sides. Whether built against the wall or standing as independent pavilions, they are all exquisite and appropriately spaced. Two pairs of pavilions are symmetrically arranged from east to west: the Floating Jade and Azure Glaze Pavilions are square pavilions spanning a pool, with one side extending a projecting room facing south; the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Springs and the Pavilion of a Thousand Autumns are polygonal pavilions with round tops and square bases, featuring projecting rooms on all four sides and forming a cross-shaped floor plan, embodying the traditional concept of “the round sky and square earth.” These two delicate and graceful pavilions greatly enhance the charm of the Imperial Garden.

Second, the garden is dotted with peculiar rocks and lush fine trees. Its ancient cypresses and wisterias, some centuries old, add lively interest to the garden. There are over 160 ancient trees scattered throughout the garden, along with various rockery potted plants of bizarre shapes. For example, the petrified wood bonsai placed in front of the Crimson Snow Veranda may at first glance look like a sun-bleached, rotten log, but it resonates with a metallic sound when tapped—confirming it is indeed stone—making it especially precious.

Third, the colorful stone-paved paths are quaint and unique. The garden’s walkways are meticulously laid with pebbles of different colors, forming over 900 distinct patterns depicting figures, flowers, landscapes, operatic scenes, and historical allusions. Strolling along these paths offers endless delight.

The Imperial Garden was originally built for the rest and enjoyment of emperors and their consorts, but it also served purposes such as worship, recuperation, book storage, and reading.

The rockery “Hill of Accumulated Elegance,” built against the northern palace wall using Taihu rocks, features steep terrain and perilous steps, showcasing highly innovative rock-stacking techniques. The Imperial View Pavilion atop the hill was where the emperor and empress would ascend during the Double Ninth Festival. The garden is dotted with peculiar rocks and lush fine trees. Its ancient cypresses and wisterias, some centuries old, add lively interest to the garden. There are over 160 ancient trees scattered throughout the garden, along with various rockery potted plants of bizarre shapes. For example, the petrified wood bonsai placed in front of the Crimson Snow Veranda may at first glance look like a sun-bleached, rotten log, but it resonates with a metallic sound when tapped—confirming it is indeed stone—making it especially precious. The garden’s walkways are meticulously laid with pebbles of different colors, forming over 900 distinct patterns depicting figures, flowers, landscapes, operatic scenes, and historical allusions. Strolling along these paths offers endless delight.

Address: Inside the Palace Museum, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Type: Garden

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Opening hours:

Same as the Palace Museum’s opening hours: Peak season (April–October) 8:30–16:10, ticket sales stop at 16:00, site closes at 17:00; Off-season (November–March) 8:30–15:40, ticket sales stop at 15:30, site closes at 16:30; Closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays and summer vacation).

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Palace Museum ticket.

Palace Museum

Palace of Purity and Harmony (Zhong Cui Gong)

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tai He Dian)

Gate of Divine Prowess (Shen Wu Men)

Hall of Preserving Harmony (Bao He Dian)

Hall of Martial Valor (Wu Ying Dian)

Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kun Ning Gong)

Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qian Qing Gong)

Palace of Longevity and Health (Ci Ning Gong)

Studio of the Three Rarities (San Xi Tang)

Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yang Xin Dian)

Palace of Longevity and Peace (Shou An Gong)

Palace of Eternal Longevity

Meridian Gate

Hall of Literary Glory

Pavilion of Benevolent Virtue

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Hall of Imperial Ancestors