中国风情

　　故宫博物院是在明、清两代皇宫及其收藏的基础上建立起来的中国综合性博物馆。其位于北京市中心，前通天安门，后倚景山，东近王府井街市，西临中南海。1961年，经国务院批准，故宫被定为全国第一批重点文物保护单位。1987年，故宫被联合国教科文组织列入“世界文化遗产”名录。

Palace Museum (Forbidden City)

This is the Palace Museum, also known as the Purple Forbidden City. It is the largest and most well preserved imperial residence in China today. Under Ming Emperor Yongle, construction began in 1406. It took 14 years to build the Forbidden City. The first ruler who actually lived here was Ming Emperor Zhudi. For five centuries thereafter, it continued to be the residence of 23 successive emperors until 1911 when Qing Emperor Puyi was forced to abdicate the throne. In 1987, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the Forbidden City as a world cultural legacy.

It is believed that the Palace Museum, or Zi Jin Cheng (Purple Forbidden City), got its name from astronomy and folklore. The ancient astronomers divided the constellations into groups and centered them around the Ziwei Yuan (North Star). The constellation containing the North Star was called the Constellation of Heavenly God and the star itself was called the purple palace. Because the emperor was supposedly the son of the heavenly gods, his central and dominant position would be further highlighted by the use of the word purple in the name of his residence.

　天坛始建于明永乐十八年（1420年），总面积273公顷，经明嘉靖、清乾隆等朝增建、改建，建筑宏伟壮丽，环境庄严肃穆，是明、清两代皇帝"祭天"、"祈谷"的场所，坛域北呈圆形，南为方形，寓意"天圆地方"。四周环筑坛墙两道，把全坛分为内坛、外坛两部分，主要建筑集中于内坛。坛内主要建筑有祈年殿、皇乾殿、圜丘、皇穹宇、斋宫、无梁殿、长廊等，还有回音壁、三音石、七星石等名胜古迹。天坛集明、清建筑技艺之大成，是中国古建珍品，是世界上最大的祭天建筑群。1998年被联合国教科文组织列入"世界遗产名录"。

　The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is one of the most strictly protected and preserved cultural heritages of China. There are 12 million visitors every year.

The Circular Mound Altar The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven, the Temple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was decreed that rulers of successive dynasties would place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for good harvest.

The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe and the fate of mankind, and thus worshiping rites dedicated to Heaven came into being.

The Heaven the ancient Chinese referred to was actually the Universe, or nature. In those days, there were specific rites of worship. This was especially true during the Ming and Qing dynasties when elaborate ceremonies were held.

The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. Situated in the southern part of the city, this grand set of structures covers an area of 273 hectares. To better symbolize heaven and earth, the northern part of the Temple is circular while the southern part is square. The whole compound is enclosed by two walls, a square wall outside a round one. The outer area is characterized by suburban scenery, while the inner part is used for sacrifices. The inner enclosure consists of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Circular Mound Altar.

(Credit: Beijing Tourism Administration)

北京是一座具有悠久历史和灿烂文化的东方名城，金碧辉煌的紫禁城、风光旖旎的颐和园、雄伟壮观的万里长城、我国园林艺术的瑰宝圆明园……都令人流连忘返。在观看奥运赛事之余，再游览一下北京的名胜古迹，一定会给您的旅行生活增添很多美好的回忆。

The Great Wall

Beijing is a famous oriental city with profound history and splendid culture. You will be captivated by the magnificent Forbidden City, the scenic Summer Palace, the majestic Great Wall and the artistic Yuanmingyuan Garden. The tours to these scenic historical sites after watching the Olympic Games will surely leave you many fond memories of this trip.

For further information, please visit the corresponding column on the official website of the Beijing Tourism Administration.