Part I: How China’s Forbidden City has survived centuries of conflict and disasters

The Forbidden City complex in the cof Beijing was the royal residence and seat of the Chinese government for five centuries. The impressive complex contains more than 8,700 rooms, in buildings constructed without a single nail or drop of glue. In the first part our special series on this architectural wonder, we look at the durable construction techniques that have allowed the Forbidden City to withstand the test of time.

This is part one of a series made in collaboration with the the SCMP Infographics team. The videos are based on their work chronicling the stories behind Beijing's majestic Forbidden City.

[ruuoxi]

"But, since its building were almost entirely made by wood, The forbidden city had one enemy feared, above all others"....


instantly I was thinking : termites.

[littlepumpkinpiehair-cutte]

The palace and its throne are revered as the best in the world, I saw for myself & I can see why👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼
The Chinese have invented many things humans now use in our daily lives, thanks China!

[alexchan]

The Old Summer Palace didn't survived along with most of the antique thanks Britain and Frances

[rizamohammed]

Ancient Chinese Technology was the best.

[percytheparkkeeper]

40% China haters
50% White haters
5% Complaining about life
5% Humour

[irememberla]

I recall there was a Starbucks in The forbidden city in the early 2000's but then they removed it thankfully

[SV-krfu]

I would love to see the original Daming Palace that was built during Tang Dynasty in Chang 'an.

[Oiii]

Wow. Largest palace in the world. Come to think of it, I have never seen anything bigger then this palace anywhere.

[billy.]

*No other country* can finish such a HUGE project in 4 years, not even with today's technology.

[Element_Z]

I wouldn't exactly call it surviving when only 10% of the original forbidden city stands

[eric_hates_the_poor]

I wonder if there’s any rooms or things yet to be rediscovered?

[andtam]

It's hard to see the details as a tourist. Everywhere is crowded.

[LexDomo]

are there any damage done during the boxer rebellion?

[claudeborrel]

Excellente vidéo mais un peu trop courte à mon goût.

[rishabhkumarsingh]

Everything is fine, but it didn't took 4 years to built, it took 14 years

[cruzada]

Is this channel based in hongkong or macau???

[pandapuffs]

why didn’t it talk about how it survived the cultural revolution at all?

[shemuelgallardovivarsjourn]

Are there any possible restoration of the Imperial-Royal family?

[johnbrookhaven]

Forbidden city build by vietnam architecture

[佐藤美沙-fq]

I think China to disposable culture.Because Great Wall of China and Olympic legacy is left.Instead in city built new buildings continuously.