The Ming and the Manchus: A Walk and Discussion at the Forbidden City
For nearly 600 years, the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled China from behind the red walls of the Forbidden City. Theirs was a private world of palaces, gardens, courtyards, temples, and thrones. Legends and myths surround the palace, but looking through the archives and memoirs reveals an even more fascinating picture of life in the imperial court!
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was a Chinese dynasty which came to power in a rebellion against the Mongol Khans. The Qing Empire (1636-1912) was founded by the Manchus, a people from what is today Northeast China. In 1644, the Manchus conquered China and moved the capital of their empire to Beijing. We'll tell the story of the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the Manchu conquest, one of the epic tales of Chinese history, and examine the differences and continuities between the Ming and the Qing eras.
Although the Qing Dynasty ended in 1912, the imperial legacy continues to influence China’s present and future.
This walk considers what life was like for the men and women who lived and worked in the palace. Who built the Forbidden City and why? What did it feel like reporting for duty as an imperial official? How did the Manchus change palace life and how did life in the capital change the Manchus? What was life like for a woman in the imperial family?
Our walk will take us to some of the more recently opened areas to avoid (as best we can in China!) the crowds while giving visitors a sense of the diverse architecture of the Forbidden City.
Duration: About three hours
Upcoming Public Walks at the Forbidden City
300 RMB per person (260 RMB for members of The Hutong)
Price includes all guide fees and tickets
Consider a Private Tour!
Looking for a walk that fits your schedule? Interested in a personal experience for you or your group?
Private walks of the Forbidden City are available for individuals, families, schools, and company groups.
Private walks are 2600 RMB in total for up to five people and 260 RMB for each additional person, including all admission costs, guide fees, and tips.
What others have said...
“The best tour ever. Ever. Ever. Having lived in China for over 8 years, I’ve had my fair share of tours around China. But yesterday’s tour of The Forbidden City just blew everything else out of the water. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about local Beijing history and Chinese history in general and was wonderfully friendly and confidently answered all of our questions….”
Your Walk Leader
Jeremiah Jenne is a writer and historian based in Beijing since 2002. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, and taught Late Imperial and Modern Chinese History for over 15 years. His essays and articles on China have appeared in The Economist, South China Morning Post, The Journal of Asian Studies, Los Angeles Review of Books, and The World of Chinese. His writings can also be found in China in 2008: A Year of Great Significance, The Insider's Guide to Beijing, and the 2015 collection While We're Here: China Stories from a Writer's Colony. Jeremiah is frequently asked to speak and lead workshops on history, culture, and cultural adaptation for students, embassies, companies, and community groups. Along with David Moser, Jeremiah also hosts the podcast Barbarians at the Gate. You can follow him on Twitter @jeremiahjenne or online at jeremiahjenne.com.
