1	Realize the Imperial Palace 认识故宫

1

故宫简介及影响

The Imperial Palace，popularly known as the Forbidden City，which has witnessed twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruling China for some 500years-from1420to 1911，is the most splendid architectural complex in the world，also the brightest pearl in the human history.

Ancient Chinese people fully displayed their wisdom in building the Forbidden City.The Forbidden City is surrounded by 10-metre high walls and a 52-metre wide moat.Measuring 961meters from north to south and 753meters from east to west，it covers an area of 720，000square meters.Each of the four sides is pierced by a gate，the Meridian Gate（Wu men）on the south and the Gate of Spiritual Valor（Shenwu men）on the north side，being used as the entrance and exit by tourists today.Once inside，visitors will see a succession of halls and palaces spreading out on either side of an invisible central axis.It is a magnificent sight，the buildings with glowing yellow roofs against vermilion walls，not to mention their painted ridges and carved beams，all contributing to the sumptuous effect.

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

Mirroring this arrangement is the Inner Court at the northern end of the Forbidden City，with the Palace of Heavenly Purity，the Hall of Union，and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility straddling the central axis，surrounded by the Six Palaces of the East and West and the Imperial Garden to the north.Other major buildings include the halls for Worshipping Ancestors and of Imperial Splendor on the east，and the Hall of Mental Cultivation，and the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility on the west.These contain not only the residences of the emperor and his empress，consorts and concubines but also the venues for religious rites and administrative activities.

In total，the buildings of the two courts account for an area of some 163，000square meters.These were laid out precisely in accordance with a code of architectural hierarchy，which designated specific features to reflect the paramount authority and status of the emperor.No ordinary mortal would have been allowed or even dared to come within close proximity of these buildings.

Today，the Forbidden Palace is open to the public.Splendid paintings on the royal architecture，grand and deluxe halls，and surprisingly magnificent treasures will be displayed before you.

2

故宫的著名景点

（1）the three Harmony

Inside the Hall of Supreme gate，there are the Hall of Supreme Harmong palace，the Hall of Complete Harmony palace and the Hall of Preserving Harmony palace.These three palaces are the maintain architecture of the palace museum.

（2）the four entrances

There are four entrances into the city.The Meridian Gate to the south，the Shenwu Gate（Gate of Military Prowess）to the north，the Donghua to the east，and the Xihua Gate to the west.The Forbidden City was surrounded by a ten meter high city wall and enclosed by a moat of 52meters wide.At each corner of the city wall，there is a magnificent watchtower.All of them were used for protecting the emperor and his imperial family.

故宫作为中国历史的代表，有着深刻的封建韵味。它作为建筑的代表，完全体现了中国劳动人民的智慧与勤劳。它经历着中国的兴衰荣辱，伴随着中国走过每一个阶段。所以一提到故宫，每个中国人都会有种骄傲的感情，它在那里展示着曾经的辉煌，却也提醒着当日的没落。

2	Key words &Sentences 关键词句全知道

The Imperial Palace，also called the Forbidden City，was the home of 24emperors from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.

故宫又名紫禁城，从明朝中期到清朝末，有24位皇帝在这里生活过。

A visit to the Forbidden City will enrich the visitors'knowledge of history，economy，politics，arts as well as architecture in ancient China.

参观故宫会使我们对古代中国的历史、经济、政治、艺术和建筑有一个更深刻的了解。

On October 10th 1925，Chinese government arranged a grand ceremony in front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity to announce the inception of the Palace Museum.

1925年10月10日，中国政府在乾清宫门前举行了一场盛大的典礼，宣布故宫博物馆成立。

The Imperial palace was the grandest and the best preserved ancient architectural complex in our country.

故宫是我国现存最大，保存最完整的古建筑群。

Three harmonies are the Supreme Harmony，the Complete Harmony and the Preserving Harmony.

故宫三大殿——太和殿，中和殿，保和殿。

The Hall of Union lies between the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility，with the meaning of combination of Heaven and Earth and happiness.

交泰殿在乾清宫和坤宁宫之间，含天地交合、安康美满之意。

Tian'anmen Square is just in front of the Imperial Palace.

天安门广场就在故宫的正门前。

It was built with blood and sweat of the labor people centuries ago.

故宫是几百年前劳动人民智能和血汗的结晶。

The Imperial Palace is the biggest national museum in our country.

故宫是我国最大的国家博物馆。

The Imperial Palace is composed of two parts-the Outer Court and the Inner Palace depending on the institution.

故宫按制度分外朝内廷两部分。

To the north of the Imperial Palace，the WanSui Mountain is the natural cover for defense.

紫禁城北有天然屏障万岁山。

The Hall of Complete Harmony is smaller among the three buildings and is surrounded by windows on all its sides.

中和殿在三个殿中算比较小的一个，四面都是窗户。

The west chamber of the Hall of Union served religious purposes and the east one was the bridal chamber where the newly married emperor and empress spent their first two nights after their wedding.

交泰殿的西面房间是为宗教活动设计的，东面是皇帝新婚的洞房，在那里新婚的皇帝和皇后度过他们新婚的头两晚。

The river is spanned by five bridges，which were supposed to be symbols of the five virtues preached by Confucius——benevolence，righteousness，rites，intelligence，and fidelity.

内金水河的上面有五座桥，孔子给每座桥都赋予了一个人性方面的美德，分别是仁、义、礼、智、信。

The Palace Museum has more than 9000rooms in it.

故宫里有九千多间房间。

The Palace Museum is rectangular in shape，961meters long from north to south and 753meters wide from east to west，covering a space of 720，000square meters of which 150，000is building area.

故宫整体结构呈长方形，南北相距961米，东西相距753米，总共占地72万平方米，建筑面积达15万平方米。

In Ming Dynasty，the Palace of Earthly Tranquility is the living place for empresses.

在明代，坤宁宫是皇后的寝宫。

The Palace Museum was build by Zhu Di，the fourth son of the founding emperor of Ming Dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang.

故宫是在明朝时朱棣，也就是朱元璋的第四个儿子下令建造的。

Shenwumen is a daily access gate.Now this gate is the main entrance.

神武门是日常出入的门。现在是故宫的正门。

The Palace Museum is a striking testimony to Chinese civilization during Ming and Qing Dynasty.

故宫为明清时代中国文明的历史见证。

In 1988，the Forbidden City was listed by UNESCO as “World Cultural Heritage”。

1988年，故宫被联合国教科文组织列为“世界文化遗产”。

The Forbidden City is a good place where you can understand Chinese feudalism history well.

故宫能让你很好地读懂中国的封建历史。

3	Let's Talk！ 开始交流吧！

Tom： Wow，Look，What an inspiring scenery！What is this？

汤姆： 哇，快看，好壮观啊，这些是什么啊？

Wang Xi： It is the world-famous Imperial Palace.

王希： 这就是闻名全世界的故宫。

Tom： The reputation corresponds to reality 。What it is used for？

汤姆： 真是名副其实啊，它是用来干吗的呢？

Wang Xi： The Imperial Palace was also called the Forbidden City.It was the royal palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

王希： 这故宫还有个名字叫紫禁城，是明清两朝皇帝居住的地方啊。

Tom： It has a long history，right？But it seems that the Forbidden City is well-preserved.

汤姆： 那它有很长的一段历史了啊，不过看起来紫禁城保存得很好。

Wang Xi： Yeah，it has a history of about 600years.

王希： 是啊，有六百多年了。

Tom： Can I have a visit for it？

汤姆： 我可以去参观一下吗？

Wang Xi： Sure.The Imperial Palace has been open to the public.Thousands of people come and visit it everyday.

王希： 当然可以，故宫已经是对社会公众开放了，每天都有好几千人来这参观呢。

Tom： It's wonderful！I can't wait to have a look.

汤姆： 太好了，我迫不及待地要去看一看了。

Wang Xi： I promise you will never regret your choice.

王希： 我保证你进去后肯定不会后悔这一行动。

Tom： Are you sure？

汤姆： 真的吗？

Wang Xi： Of course！When you get into it，you will know the reasons.

王希： 当然啦！等你进去就知道啦。

Tom： Got it.I'm going inside，would you come with me？

汤姆： 懂了。我要去了，你愿意和我一起吗？

Wang Xi： My pleasure！

王希： 非常愿意！ IrY8suScQpy85B+vetUyIeO3bUQy8dRtjIFsGcF8LKGUbiini8XXEa6MMJQcMuCD