I. Learning Objectives

1. Understand a general introduction of TheForbidden City；

2. Understand basic construction of TheForbidden City

II. Learning Requirements

1. Finish studying video given by lecturer.

2. Finish all the exercises

3. Make a similar introduction for anotherresort- 庐山

4. Finish the extra reading.

III. Preview Questions

1. What kind of palace is the ForbiddenCity?

2. What does the outer court do in theForbidden City?

3. What does the middle bridge do?

IV. Key Words / Useful Sentences / SentenceStructures

本节重点在于了解中国故宫的相关介绍，包括他的历史渊源，建筑格局和特殊的历史地位。

V. Extra Reading

The Imperial Palace,popularly known as theForbidden City,which has witnessed twenty-four emperors of the Ming and QingDynasties ruling China for some 500 years―from1420 to 1911,is the most splendid architectural complex in theworld,also the brightest pearl in the human history.

 Ancient Chinese people fully displayedtheir wisdom in building the Forbidden City.The Forbidden City is surrounded by10-metre high walls and a 52-metre wide moat.Measuring 961 meters from north tosouth and 753 meters from east to west,it covers an area of 720,000 squaremeters.Each of the four sides is pierced by a gate,the Meridian Gate(Wu men)onthe south and the Gate of Spiritual Valor(Shenwu men)on the north side,beingused as the entrance and exit by tourists today.Once inside,visitors will see asuccession of halls and palaces spreading out on either side of an invisiblecentral axis.It is a magnificent sight,the buildings with glowing yellow roofsagainst vermilion walls,not to mention their painted ridges and carvedbeams,all contributing to the sumptuous effect.

Known as the Outer Court,the southernportion of the Forbidden City centers is on the halls of SupremeHarmony,Central Harmony,and Preserving Harmony.These are flanked by the hallsof Literary Glory and Military Eminence.It was here that the emperor held courtand conducted his grand audiences.