Forbidden City: Glorious Sights, Godawful Management.
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Certainly, I'd like to share with you about the Forbidden City.
Mr. Shan Jixiang, the former director of the Palace Museum (yes, that huge imperial palace right in the heart of Beijing), did a great deal to make the Forbidden City better during his tenure.
Some highlights of his work include:
- Seeking ways to effectively protect these invaluable ancient buildings.
- Making it easier and more convenient for the general public to experience history and get up close to the imperial palace. Back then, visiting the Forbidden City was truly an enjoyable experience!
However, things have changed now... I don't want to bring the sad news back up, but it just gets me riled up!
- Key palaces, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony (where the emperor held court and major ceremonies were held), are fenced off from afar. Want to take a closer look? No way!
- Inside the palaces, it's pitch dark, the lighting is extremely dimmed, and you can't figure out much even with tremendous effort; we call this "see nothing" (meaning one can barely see anything).
- Even worse, the restoration works don't seem serious at all! They plaster modern shiny tiles onto ancient structures which stands out like a sore thumb among hundreds-of-years-old palaces. This isn't restoring artifacts; it's damaging them!
- Adding insult to injury, the "cultural products" (aka souvenirs) sold by the Forbidden City were exposed for copying other designs. I mean, what's the point of having you guys?
Honestly speaking, given the current state of the Forbidden City, is it still worth coming all the way to visit?
️ Attention: Honest critique & money-saving advice:- If your expectations for the Forbidden City are sky-high, or if you're short on funds or tight on time, I advise you to save this time instead.
- China is such a vast country with plenty of beautiful landscapes and gorgeous waterways. Visiting these natural attractions would likely put you in a much better mood!
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Director Shan was a truly dedicated, responsible, and conscientious leader. He genuinely transformed the Forbidden City into a real museum, making history accessible to future generations. During his tenure, he pioneered various initiatives to open up the palace, allowing the public to deeply experience the weight of its history. Of all the directors the Palace Museum has had, Director Shan is the one I remember most! He truly deserves our respect and admiration!
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Yeah, it seems we came at the wrong time. Now, visiting the Forbidden City feels like you can't see much at all, just endless paths and palace walls.
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It's true, the experience is pretty bad now. I wonder if they're mismanaging the maintenance funds. Tickets, souvenirs, afternoon tea – everything is always packed. How could they possibly be short of money?